May 21st (2020)

 

May 21st
I am up at 5am.

I have an early 'Red' and intend to forage for breakfast.

Today's news  includes….

"(Reuters) - Cambodia has lifted a ban on entry of visitors from Iran, Italy, Germany, Spain, France and the United States that had been put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus, the health ministry said on Wednesday.

Despite the easing, foreign visitors would still need to have a certificate no more than 72 hours old confirming that they are not infected with the novel coronavirus and proof of $50,000 worth of health insurance while in Cambodia, the ministry said.

They also would be quarantined for 14 days after arrival at government designate place and tested for the coronavirus, a ministry statement said, but did not specify where."

I should think only the well-heeled could afford the medical insurance to visit Cambodia. Back to the bad old days when only the elite could afford international travel.

I walk through the alleys. When I reach Pub Street I notice that businesses are not just closed, but some have closed down. The recession has began on the back of the pandemic. Tourist town Siem Reap may take a considerable time to recover, especially when tourists are being cherry picked the way they are.

My breakfast is the usual at the usual Khmer place by the Old Market. The server greets me and brings the coffee with milk and, later, the 3 eggs, Khmer bacon and buttered baguette. I plan to finish breakfast and lash out on my favourite gelato Chocolate with Kampot Pepper, only Gelato Lab is closed. I walk back, noting which shops and stalls remain closed. It is most.

It is naive to believe that the tourist numbers will return. This applies to both Cambodia and Malaysia. When you show your arrogance people will find other markets to explore.

There is a lot of negativity around still. It is very easy for that to effect us. But, despite the machinations of the dark side of the world, we try our level best to stay strong and weather whichever storms metaphorical or actual which come our way. My thoughts and blessings go out to all my friends in Dhaka (Bangladesh) as I mention this. An actual cyclone (Amphan) has swept through killing 15 people across the country. One woman died while collecting mangoes, in Chandpur. I was there with my Bangladeshi friends, in March last year. It was an amazing trip.

Blessings come at us from unexpected directions. Due to concerns about this pandemic, my first born daughter (in England) and I, are back in contact. We had been out of touch for some years but fate, kismet or Karma has engineered that we are back in contact again. Time certainly does fugit, her children have grown and have successful lives of their own. Yes, I am (groan) a grandfather to some young adults. Okay, this is scary. My grandchildren, well two anyway, are older than my students. One is but a toddler, so that’s better.

"Children begin by loving their parents; after a time they judge them; rarely, if ever, do they forgive them." Oscar Wilde, 'A Woman of No Importance', 1893.

Today’s spend
Khmer restaurant breakfast…..$4.50
Thai Huot Market…..Notebook; BM Gelee Cassis (jam); Myojo Soto Ayam Noodles x3; Bean Sprouts; Tomatoes; Cucumbers; Dasani Water x3; Kean Mixed Fruit drink x2 (1 free) and Coke Cola……$13.30

Total spend….$17.80