In Praise of Getting Lost

Sometimes I think that our best discoveries come when we are lost. In fact, maybe all of them do. One of the best things we can do for ourselves when traveling is go somewhere and make it a point to get lost; be sure that we go to a place that is not well traveled and keep our eyes open. That's what happened when I stumbled on this small street in the Philippines. I found, however briefly, reality.

Of Evil and Government

The people of the Philippines are beautiful inside and out. They are kind and helpful and generous.

I first visited this wonderful country about 20 years ago and loved it. I recently visited it again after all those years and found the good people unchanged. I stayed with a family in Davao City; the home of a family of five living in a tiny house in a flood prone area.

There are many things that I can and perhaps will say about this country and the people. Nearly all of them are good. However, I want to just mention briefly what struck me in a sad way; in fact it was profoundly sad.

Twenty years ago the Philippines was a developing country on an equal footing economically with Thailand. Today, it lags far behind Thailand and the poverty seems to have increased.

Perhaps the thing that slapped me in the face more than anything else was the cost of food. It was almost on a par with the USA. That is not true in Thailand where food mirrors the overall economy and is relatively inexpensive. In the Philippines I witnessed hunger and when I bought food I knew why.

This is not the fault of the people of the Philippines. In my very humble and uninformed opinion, it is greed that drives this issue. And when one talks of greed, that must include corruption.

I did not do a lot of research on this topic and my feelings are essentially gut reactions. But there is one fact that jumped out at me. The are five billionaires in the Philippines. Many countries that have extremely vibrant economies have no billionaires; Norway and France for example. The gap between the haves and the have nots is a very significant factor in poverty in my opinion.

I love the Philippines and would not hesitate to live there. I just pray that the tiny minority of greedy and corrupt people there wake up and think about those that have so little.

Stoop Labor in N.E. Thailand

Much of the work in the rice paddies of N.E. Thailand is back breaking stoop labor. You will never hear those who are working complain about it though. They are farmers. Their families have been farmers for generations. They live in modest houses if they are fortunate and many just live in very poorly constructed or dilapidated dwellings. They do not complain about this either. Life in a rural is real, but because Thais are fun loving and good natured as a rule, it is pleasant and relaxing.

The farmers of Thailand, grow a lot of rice for Thailand itself and for export. The preference of farmers in the Northeast in their own diets is for sticky rice. It is eaten daily, sometimes in more that one meal.

The middle class urban Thais have little conception of farm life. They seem oblivious to where their food comes from. Some have a stereotypical views of N.E Thai farmers that is somewhat akin to racism.

Greek Fast Food

This is a Greek fast food restaurant in Redding California. Supporting independent business helps the economy and helps one's community. It keeps American diverse and, for example, makes for more items on the local menu. A Big Mac is a Big Mac everywhere. Why not go to an independent burger joint or Mexican food restaurant? Do we really want a world where Walmart, Amazon, MacDonald's and Exxon own everything? Help your neighbors and friends. Keep it local. (Copyright 2010 Cal Thai)

Skulls From the Killing Fields

The photo above was taken at the Killing Fields in Cambodia, a place where some of the mass execution and genocide of the Cambodian people took place. Over 25% of the population of the country was murdered this way. There is hardly anyone in the country who does not have a relative who died.

Cambodia is still terribly poor. There are still many amputees who lost limbs from landmines. There are children beggars. It is impossible to visit this country without seeing and experiencing the horrifying poverty. Much of the poverty today is the result of greed, which will not improve with the development of the country and the multinational corporations that are starting to show up. It is, of course, because of corruption too, which always goes hand in hand with the worship of riches and luxury.

However, having said this, it is a beautiful place; not just because of the temples and other wonderful sights, but mostly because of the people who have not lost hope. They still smile and they are still beautiful.

Buddha Images At Cambodian Temple

These Buddha statues are at a Temple in rural Cambodia. Buddhism is an integral part of daily life in Cambodia, Thailand and elsewhere in S.E. Asia. The Philippines is an exception and they are primarily a Christian country. In Cambodia, Temples and Monks are found nearly everyone one goes.

Calendar

In villages in Thailand the extended family is still very much in place. This has a lot of positive consequences. For example, the elderly are well taken care of and not placed in expensive "homes" away from their families. The woman in the photo has Alzheimer's Desease. She is very well taken care of in the family home by her daughters, granddaughters, nieces, grandnieces, neighbors and many others. All of these people live very nearby -- a few hundred yards. There are usually several people with her, always relaxed, smiling and happy. There is no issue of who is going to do what when or how much things cost. It is just done and done quite happily.