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Their Poverty is a tourist attraction?
2008.09.18
This is how the road looks like on the way to the floating houses just outside Siem Reap. At the entrance of the village, I was told to pay $20 if I have to see the floating village---by boat, of course. I said that I don't want to see the floating village. I just wanted to roam around. The guy was very fucking persistent to let me buy the ticket but I said NO. So, he instructed the moto-taxi to just drop me off somewhere.
Then, from there, I started walking. The road below is where I started. From here, everything looks a typical village but when you look at the these houses a little closer, the succeeding photos will tell you what's like to be poor---really poor.
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This is how the road looks like on the way to the floating houses just outside Siem Reap. At the entrance of the village, I was told to pay $20 if I have to see the floating village---by boat, of course. I said that I don't want to see the floating village. I just wanted to roam around. The guy was very fucking persistent to let me buy the ticket but I said NO. So, he instructed the moto-taxi to just drop me off somewhere.
Then, from there, I started walking. The road below is where I started. From here, everything looks a typical village but when you look at the these houses a little closer, the succeeding photos will tell you what's like to be poor---really poor.
1
The house on the raft is not abandoned. Somebody is there!
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The house on the raft is not abandoned. Somebody is there!
2
No, they're not building a bathroom---but a house.
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No, they're not building a bathroom---but a house.
3
Shabby huts with really thin columns to support the entire house.
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Shabby huts with really thin columns to support the entire house.
4
The normal afternoon of women in this village, I guess. They're waiting for their husbands to come home from fishing.
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The normal afternoon of women in this village, I guess. They're waiting for their husbands to come home from fishing.
5
Thatched roof and walls and windows.
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Thatched roof and walls and windows.
6
At a young age, he knows how to do the job his father does.
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At a young age, he knows how to do the job his father does.
7
Some childhood dreams start at the roof of our house. I should know. One of my dreams was thought of there.
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Some childhood dreams start at the roof of our house. I should know. One of my dreams was thought of there.
8
Enough life boats for a family?
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Enough life boats for a family?
9
Can you imagine living there?
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Can you imagine living there?
10
Two ladies in an afternoon chat.
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Two ladies in an afternoon chat.
11
Stilt houses?
Children, for sure, can't go running around the house.
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Stilt houses?
Children, for sure, can't go running around the house.
12
They're fishing---and hoping they have something for dinner.
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They're fishing---and hoping they have something for dinner.
13
Travel tours to the floating village. The moneyed travel agencies take advantage of other's poverty.
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Travel tours to the floating village. The moneyed travel agencies take advantage of other's poverty.
14
Five people are watching a DVD in a laptop computer inside this tiny house. Can you believe that?
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Five people are watching a DVD in a laptop computer inside this tiny house. Can you believe that?
15
One family in each boat.
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One family in each boat.
16
They must have been talking about simple things in life---or maybe, about girls or, maybe, about the future.
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They must have been talking about simple things in life---or maybe, about girls or, maybe, about the future.
17
Some people start work when the sun sets in the West.
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Some people start work when the sun sets in the West.
18
Time for dinner?
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Time for dinner?
19
Generation gap --- in the same time and situation.
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Generation gap --- in the same time and situation.
20
At the far distance, that's where the floating village is.
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At the far distance, that's where the floating village is.
21
At the back of those houses are newly-bulldozed land developed to be a port for people who wanna go to the floating village. Yes, they're building a proper port. So, maybe, next year these house are relocated and gone somewhere.
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At the back of those houses are newly-bulldozed land developed to be a port for people who wanna go to the floating village. Yes, they're building a proper port. So, maybe, next year these house are relocated and gone somewhere.
22
After the trek at the red planet.
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After the trek at the red planet.
23
When we went back to the city, I told the driver to stop at the flooded street so I could take some shots.
So, where are they gonna eat now?
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When we went back to the city, I told the driver to stop at the flooded street so I could take some shots.
So, where are they gonna eat now?
24
Guess, where the bathroom is.
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Guess, where the bathroom is.
25
Say, "Hello" to this cutie.
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Say, "Hello" to this cutie.
26
Stranded in an island?
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Stranded in an island?
27
That hammock looks inviting.
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That hammock looks inviting.
28
The river overflows down to the street.
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The river overflows down to the street.
29
And this child is trying to solve the problem in his own little way.
*Sigh.*
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And this child is trying to solve the problem in his own little way.
*Sigh.*
30
11
Comments
great expose. very well documented. life is just a pity sometimes, somewhere.
This is an amazing thought provoking post. Its no wonder that its the poorest who suffer most when there are natural disasters, such as the tsunami in 2004, and yet they are still exploited.
strange title. imxo people are living as they like and if you see any attraction in POVERTY it says about your inner world, but not about those beautiful people
my dear friend... you should pull out #6 and #18 from the set... and submit as single shot post... because the weights of these 2 shots are far beyond the norms of normal photos... they are very much touching and telling shots... the window in #6 is something people cannot find in ease... anyway, it's a great reportage and i love the title of it too much...
Great photos and narration, Alain. So much water...I like the internet room and #21 in particularly, but they are all revealing about life in Cambodia - much more so that the bus ride set.
Very touching and emotional post. I can't imagine this and am pissed off at the exploitation of these people and their poverty. When I look into the faces of these children, I just wonder for how long the cycle will continue. Alain, thank you for sharing your experiences with us and for taking us out of our comfort zone. :)
Very good reportage, its really sad that they have to live like that :( Alot people in this world really don't know how good they have it, they should open their eyes and see how others live :( Thanks for sharing your experiences
thank you very much for this reportage, we need to know how oters live and try to help as much as posible, I believe in solidarity still and need to love others as much as ourselves
thank you
