What Living in SE-Asia Has Taught Me So Far – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (Part 1)
Almost 2 years ago we ( @menta and I) packed our European life into 2 suitcases and moved to Cambodia, SE-Asia. While some people would call us Digital Nomads, we are the kind of nomad that sticks around the oasis. So before you ask, we are still in Cambodia, living the sedentary Digital Nomad lifestyle.
Yes, we could work from anywhere in the world, and our life is reduced to a few boxes, so what is keeping us in Cambodia you might ask? Well, there are a few things.
The first one: 13 years ago I gave this little beauty (see pic below) a home. She came with us from Belgium and is enjoying her old day in Cambodia. Having a pet makes it nearly impossible to wander around and live the true Digital Nomad lifestyle constantly.
But she is part of the family and there is no way we are leaving her behind or dropping her back into the horrible life of a shelter animal.
Secondly, we actually truly enjoy living in Cambodia. While we have the freedom to work and travel when it suits us, staying for a longer period of time at the same location really teaches you a thing or two about yourself, other people, other cultures, and life in general.
While this sums up what everybody thinks of our digital entrepreneur life...
The reality looks a bit different. While we kinda live in paradise (see pics below), not all that glitters is gold. Of course, it is amazing over here; else we would have moved on…. But let me say it is “same same” but quite different! But that’s the cool part about it!
Lesson #1: There is always something
The first lesson I learned from leaving my safe bubble, called home: there will always be something. There is no perfect place that has it all. But to us, the negatives of living in Cambodia don’t outweigh the positives.
Lesson #2: Do you know how lucky you are?
Coming to Cambodia and living here made me realize how blessed we are with all the opportunities we have in life. We often don’t realize how good we all have it in the West. In Cambodia, most people have absolutely nothing; they live from the land, often not earning enough to send their children to school… or build a decent house.
This is the kind of house most people live in.
Moving house is taken literally in Cambodia! No need to pack!
Lesson #3: It is not because there is a tap water is going to come out of there.
Water is a necessity and should be available for all. When I lived in Belgium, there hasn’t been a single day that I had to think about water. You open the tap and water comes out, right? While my first no water experience was kinda funny and was fixed in a day, there were times we had to take a shower and do the washing in the river in the backyard.
The first house we lived in 2 years ago looked promising when we signed the contract. It had a western-style bathroom and toilet and a semi-installed kitchen with a sink. However, appearances can be deceiving...... not one of the toilets or kitchen and bathroom taps were connected. The plumbing was there, the taps and toilets were there… the only thing that was missing was the connection between both. That's when I realized what the big buckets of water were for.
However, after calling a plumber and having a good laugh about the absurdity, we had water coming out of the tap!
When clean water becomes a luxury!
Our second water issues were from a whole different dimension, though. Imagine that you wake up on a scorching day in the middle of the hottest and sweatiest season. Ready to hit the shower and wash away the night’s sweat, you turn open the tap, wait a few seconds and realize that staring at it isn’t going to make water come out of there.
It took 2 months to see water coming out of there again. Luckily we lived on the river and had access to some sort of a water source to take showers, wash clothes and do the dishes.
I’m actually surprised we didn’t catch a single bug… cause that water is the same water that washed tons of debris and other nasty stuff onto our little shore. Furthermore, before the water went off we used the swim in the river but always took a shower after to wash away the not-so-clean river water… but what do you do if that’s the only source…. You roll your eyes, sigh and go with the flow.
Lesson #4: People who have nothing are often the most hospitable, friendly, and happy people
If there is one thing that makes Cambodia stand out compared to the rest of SE-Asia than it’s the people. The widespread poverty and their recent history of mass murdering (Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge) has left deep scars.
Cambodian people certainly touched our heart, even though they have nothing they are quite happy, always smiling and singing…. that’s why they call Cambodia “The Land of Smiles” or “The Kingdom of Wonder”.
People here are among to most kind and beautiful souls I have ever met… unlike many other poor, developing countries, they are genuinely friendly to foreigners and not just because they want a share of the dollars in your pocket… well some of them are master scammers, though. But hey don’t we have that in any other country too?
Maybe it’s the sun that is responsible for the increased levels of happiness… or maybe it is just the simplicity of life. Personally, I think it’s both…
If you have never visited Cambodia, it is actually hard to explain why Khmer or Cambodian people are so different, so better come and check it out yourself. You’ll immediately notice what I’m talking about from the first second you arrive.
Lesson #5: You can’t save all the animals
Although steps are being taken to turn the tide, most Cambodians see animals in a different way than we in the West. They don’t fully grasp the idea of having a pet. While they all have tons of dogs and cats, these are not a ‘friend.’
A dog or goose is for protection, a cat is to catch the rats or mice, a cow is a savings account, etc
Animals have a function, and they usually don't take care of them in the same way we do. So many animals are limping or struggling with itchy skin diseases and nothing is being done.
The animals dig our garden though....
Stay tuned for part 2 of living in the tropics: When the river floods the sexy monks come to aid!
Almost exactly one year ago, Facebook kindly reminded me of the event the other week, the river in the backyard caused a flood. We were stuck in the house for 3, almost 4 full days surrounded by 1.5-2 meters water.
The corrupt government is not the one to count on when things go horribly wrong. Neighbors and sexy monks were our true saviors! But more about that in the next edition of what living in the tropics taught me so far.
Thanks for reading! Until next time!
Amazing post. I share some your sentiments having moved from the states to Chile. I can tell you put a lot of heart into this post. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks! Not always easy to live away from home, but definitely worth it. I have heard a lot of good things about Chile, and it is def on my travel list!
The whole family on a motorbike thing is so unsafe but yet no uncommon in some of the developing south east asian nations.
Still a very common sight here! Indeed not the safest but sometimes there is no other way!
Interesting
Steem On!
You gave me another view point about Cambodia.
Have you ever been here before?