Independent MonumentCambodia is such a different place from Vietnam. The language is different - both written and spoken. Their histories are also different.
In my opinion, Vietnam's progress - albeit slow - is partially due to the fact that there was an ultimate victor in the Vietnam War. Here in Cambodia, there never was a victor: their government is a coalition which must make decision-making slightly more difficult (although not impossible).
And this sense of stalemate exudes from Phnom Penh - the whole city festers in it. A stagnating city where its citizens apparently don't seem to care less whilst its rulers still wage an ongoing war.
In my opinion, Vietnam's progress - albeit slow - is partially due to the fact that there was an ultimate victor in the Vietnam War. Here in Cambodia, there never was a victor: their government is a coalition which must make decision-making slightly more difficult (although not impossible).
And this sense of stalemate exudes from Phnom Penh - the whole city festers in it. A stagnating city where its citizens apparently don't seem to care less whilst its rulers still wage an ongoing war.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment