Soma Norodom's Blog

BBQ Chicken…The KFC Of Korea

  

 

 

Established in 1995, BBQ Chicken has now grown to be the #1 franchise brand in Korea, with over 1,850 stores worldwide. BBQ Chicken holds its reputations by providing a healthy and tasty meal to the customers. The fresh chicken is prepared using its secret recipe and only 100% olive oil. The recipe was originated by Master’s and Doctoral Degree researchers at Chicken University, the biggest Menu Research and Development Center in the world. Now in Phnom Penh, located at Sorya Shopping Center, BBQ Chicken is set to excite the taste buds of Cambodians. 

The most popular items on the menu at BBQ Chicken includes Korean BBQ, boneless grilled chicken sandwich, chicken salad, hot drumsticks, chicken strips, mushroom chicken steak, and the famous olive oil chicken, where each drumstick is light, crisp, and juicy. Fries and coleslaws are included in the meals. Eating healthy is the new lifestyle, and BBQ Chicken has been a part of the revolution. Using only 100% olive oil is the key ingredient in BBQ Chicken. Olive oil reduces the risk of prostate and breast cancer, increases skin ability to maintain moisture, helps in child bone development, decreases bad cholesterol, and lowers blood pressure. 

The circular restaurant of BBQ Chicken had a great view of the streets, along with its interior modern décor. I enjoying the chicken cutlet meal, as Seda, Thach, and my father indulged on the olive oil chicken. The fabulous lunch at BBQ Chicken made it a fun day at the mall. After lunch, we bought some DVD movies which I haven’t seen like “Salt”, “Why Did I Get Married Too”, “It’s Complicated”, “Just Wright”, and “Our Family Wedding”. Seda chose “Sex and the City 2”, “Grown Ups”, and “Ice Age” (3 trilogies). My father wanted to watch kung fu movies of the past, but they did not have them, and was happy with the “Ice Age” movies. 

 Watching these movies, especially “Why Did I Get Married Too”, filmed in Atlanta, made me homesick as I remember how life was in the U.S. My friends are in this movie as extras; as I was suppose to appear with them in this Tyler Perry sequel. Janet Jackson’s role was powerful in the movie, and I haven’t seen this type of performance from her in awhile. Tyler Perry and his production company, located in Atlanta, delayed filming in July 2009, to give time for Janet Jackson to grieve the passing of her famous brother, Michael Jackson.

A Gathering of the Norodoms’ and the Sisowaths’

 

I was invited to attend my first dinner party with my father in Phnom Penh on August 19, 2010. My father said we were going to a casual buffet dinner with one of his family member. I thought it was just a dinner at a restaurant with a few people. Photographers, bright lights, and cameras were waiting at the banquet hall entrance as we walked inside to greet the host. The evening turned out to be an elegant night of meeting new family members, the Sisowaths’, the other half of the Royal Family, as we enjoyed a fabulous array of delicious Cambodian and Western cuisines, hosted by Prince Sirirath Sisowath, my father’s cousin.

The dinner party was held at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the premier hotel and the most expensive in the city. Located in the heart of Phnom Penh, the Raffles was first established in 1929, with clienteles ranging from backpackers, journalists, to distinguished royalty. This grand historic hotel has undergone restoration and refurbishment, and now fulfills all the requirements of a modern world-class hotel. Travel & Leisure magazine rated it as the “Top 50 Hotels in Asia, World’s Best Awards”, from 2006-2008, as well as “Award of Excellence”-Wine Spectator Award in 2007. Exuding an old world charm through its distinctive style, the Raffles is also handicap friendly.

Prince Sirirath Sisowath is known in Cambodia and knows everybody. He is on the Advisory Court of the current King of Cambodia, King Norodom Sihamoni, and is a very influential and powerful man. He was the person responsible for introducing Seda to Dr. Kol Pheng, who hired her as a professor teaching law at Pannasastra University last semester. Seda introduced me to Dr. Pheng when I first arrived in Cambodia, and now I will be working for him and the university. Dr. Pheng was not at the dinner party hosted by his close friend.

The Royal Family of Cambodia consists of the Norodoms’ and the Sisowaths’. The monarchy has been around for centuries and still continues today. Back in the old days, the Norodoms’ and Sisowaths’ only married each other, to continue the royal bloodline. Today, the rules have changed and they can choose to marry anybody. Marriages are concluded between cousins, and even half brothers and sisters, creating offsprings of physical intellectual, as well as mental deficiency, and even “madness”. In King Norodom Sihanouk’s memoirs, he stated that he is a descendant of a cross between a half-brother and sister, between an uncle and niece, between cousins, all of whom had as grandfather or father of the great and popular King Ang Duong. When we visited Siem Reap’s Cambodian Cultural Village, I was able to take a photo with the wax figure of King Ang Duong, my great great great great grandfather. King Norodom Sihanouk also stated when he was fighting for independence from France, a Commander in the French Army called him “a mad sovereign, a madman of genius”. Years later an American diplomat asked King Norodom Sihanouk what he thought about the remarks made by General de Langlade. He replied, “I prefer to be a “madman of genius” than a normal man with no genius, because a man who was merely ‘normal’ would surely not have been able to restore independence to his country without the shedding of a single drop of blood, be it Khmer or French.”

Prince Sirirath’s first wife is King Norodom Sihanouk’s youngest daughter, Princess Norodom Arunrasmy. We grew up in the U.S. with his three children in Southern California, and they are currently still there.  His other son and daughter, Nikko and Bijou, by his second wife (who is from Modesto, California), live here, and it was wonderful meeting them. Prince Sirirath is now married to his third wife, Marina, a very young and pretty woman. They have a one year old son named Norindo. My brother’s daughter, my niece, is named Norindra. I briefly spoke with Marina in Khmer, because she does not speak English. She seems very nice and polite, and was a good host tonight. Some of the guests couldn’t help but stare at her because of how young she is. I think she is in her 20s, and her husband, Prince Sirirath is in his 60s. I asked her where they go for fun. She said they like to travel out of town to the beach resorts in Sihanoukville, Koh Kong, and Kep. Seda says they also like to travel outside the country like to Malaysia and Singapore. I was referring to the city of Phnom Penh. Marina says she doesn’t really go out in Phnom Penh. I hope she takes good care of my father’s cousin. Power and money is very appealing to young women, and add in royalty, that’s a “Yes” to the altar, or to the wat (temple). Hey, if Donald Trump, Rupert Murdoch, and Hugh Hefner can marry a young bride, so can Prince Sirirath.

Dignitaries from the Government, including the Senate and the Constitutional Council, private sectors, the embassies, members of the Royal Family, and a few of their friends attended the dinner party. The purpose of the dinner party was to honor two of Prince Sirirath’s Japanese friends, Mr. Hyde Yano and Mr. Seijiro Oga (his son attended because he was in an accident). Mr. Hyde Yano was a classmate of Prince Sirirath, at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. They have remained close friends before, during, and after the war. Mr. Yano asked Prince Sirirath if he could do anything to help in the rebuilding of the country. Prince Sirirath replied, “You can help build wells in the province of Siem Reap, so the people can have clean water to drink and cook.” Mr. Yano asked his cousin, Mr. Oga, and his company to build the wells. The project was completed and 99 wells were built in Siem Reap. Our distinguished guests received a standing ovation for their charitable donation.

In addition, Mr. Yano donated tons of rice for King Norodom Sihamoni to deliver to the people in the rural areas of Cambodia. Mr. Yano remembers when Japan wanted to assist with funding for Cambodia during the war, and King Norodom Sihanouk replied, “We are all at war, keep the money, and rebuild your country.” It was an honorable gesture made by King Norodom Sihanouk and Mr. Yano still remembers and was touched by it. During his speech, Mr. Yano started choking on his words, because he was so emotional when he spoke of Cambodia, the suffering of the people and its war torn nation. He loves this country and wanted to be a part of the rebuilding process. The honorary guests later gave a gift to Prince Sirirath, 3 expensive bottles of liquor, of pumpkin flavor. Prince Sirirath gave one to my father for attending the event. Next to the honorary guests, my father was the focus of the dinner party.

During the party, Prince Sirirath acknowledged my father as the Commander In Chief of the Air Force, and proudly talked about how wonderful of a man my father is. Prince Sirirath told us that he was in the Airborne Division and had to jump off planes that my father operated. He was scared of jumping off the planes, but finally accomplished his mission because my father was an excellent leader, very patient, and a great instructor. I was pleased to hear this. Many of my father’s family were in government and politics, but my father chose to be in the military. He loved the Air Force so much, and talks fondly of his days as a pilot, a Colonel, a General, and his highest ranking role as a Commander in Chief of the entire Cambodian Air Force from 1993-1997, during the rebuilding and reign of his cousin, Prince Norodom Ranariddh. When the guests arrived at the party, some did not recognize my father, until later. They went up to him and bowed, a way of paying respect, even though they are royalty as well. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t want to go anywhere, because he is proud, and do not want people to see him fragile and weak, as he was known as a strong leader, and now is confined to a wheelchair.

In 1971, Prince Sirirath attended the Defense Language Institute, in Lackland U.S. Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas. When he found out I used to live in Atlanta, Prince Sirirath told me his story about his days stationed in Columbus, Georgia from 1974-1975 at Fort Benning. Prince Sirirath had a distinguished career combining diplomacy with military aspects. He not only represented Cambodia at the United Nations, but also to several countries of Central and South America, with whom he established diplomatic relations on behalf of Cambodia.

Seda hardly knows our family members, only through Facebook, and mainly the younger generation. If you search Norodom on Facebook, all the members are our family. Even King Norodom Sihamoni is on Facebook. If you carry the Norodom or Sisowath name, you are all related. It’s not like in the U.S., if you have a name like “Kennedy”, it doesn’t mean you are related to John F. Kennedy and his clan, the closest thing to royalty in the U.S.

Seda introduced us to her Facebook friend, Prince Amarithivong Norodom, our cousin, currently working as a Premier Banking Manager for ANZ Royal Bank, one of the pioneering banks in Cambodia. His cousin and also ours, Prince Vic Sisowath, is from California, and graduated from UC Berkeley. Vic also works at ANZ Royal Bank as a Premier Banking Manager. They said if we want to see the city they will take us out, since they are very familiar with Phnom Penh and they are men. Women cannot go out alone together, and have to be accompanied by a male family member or friend, or you are considered to be a working call girl. Seda and I accepted the invitation since they are family, and of course, they are the Princes of Cambodia.

We met another entertaining family member by the name of Prince Socheat Sisowath. He and his wife, Rita, are visiting Phnom Penh, as they live closer to the borders of Thailand, a 6 hour drive. He used to live in California, with his first wife, and remembers me when I was a child. Prince Socheat was the joker the entire night. Every once in a while he would come to our table and feed my father food and kiss him on the cheek. He says by feeding my father it brings good luck to him. Toward the end of the night, Prince Socheat was trying to take the liquor gift from my father. I don’t know if he was playing around, since he is known as a joker, or he was just drunk.

Another family member, Prince Phandaravong Sisowath, a cousin of Prince Sirirath, introduced me to his wife. Prince Phandaravong is a member of the Constitutional Council and a Rotary Club Member of Phnom Penh. He used to be on the dialysis treatment, and is no longer on dialysis, because his health is better. Prince Phandaravong thanks his good health to his young bride, and eating right. His energy and liveliness was dominant in a room full of big personalities. Prince Phandaravong gave me his business card and it has his picture on it. I asked Seda if I should have my picture on my business cards, and she suggests I do. A typical business card in Cambodia has a photo, and you don’t have to be in real estate. Seda was the photographer tonight taking lots of snapshots of our family, as she will post on Facebook the next day for other family members of the Norodoms’ and the Sisowaths’ to view in France, Canada, the U.S. and Cambodia.

We stayed almost 3 hours at the dinner party, and my father was getting tired. Also, his bedtime is usually around 8:30 and he has dialysis early in the morning. I really enjoyed tonight’s gathering and the food was delicious. My father ate oysters, beef ragu (Cambodian beef stew), and his favorite, brie and bleu cheese with French bread. Seda ate clams, fish, chicken salad and hummus. I ate the shrimp salad, spicy beef salad, and beef ragu; because I haven’t eaten beef, only fish since I’ve been here. My dad’s other caretaker and driver, Phon, attended the event. Thach was working his other job, and it was Phon’s turn. Phon felt out of place, standing in the back most of the night, while watching the guests mingle. My father said to eat whatever he wants and as much since this is buffet style. He enjoyed the dinner and had three servings, and that made his night. Phon was our photographer as well. Spending time with family is precious and within the last 4 years living all by myself in Atlanta I haven’t had many opportunities. Now I am here in Cambodia and have the next couple of years to enjoy it, as I know that I will be taken good care of by my fun-loving family.

Interrogated, Tortured, and Executed…Remembering the Victims at Toul Sleng S-21 Prison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I write in my blog of my experiences in Cambodia, one landmark I visited has tugged at my heart. That place is the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. Before the Khmer Rouge came into power in April 1975, Toul Sleng Svay Prey was a primary school and high school, where students learned Khmer and French, math and science, and had hope for a bright future. The classrooms were filled with teachers lecturing and kids laughing, and now, Toul Sleng is a museum, a memorial, dedicated to the victims of S-21 Prison during Pol Pot’s reign. Haunting photographs of prisoners, tortured tools and machines, human skulls, and 14 victim corpses are displayed at the museum, as Toul Sleng is a testament of the madness of the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge reign in Cambodia ranked as the most disastrous in modern history.   

On April 17, 1975, led by Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Warden “Duch”, the S-21 was designed for detention, interrogation, torture, and killing after confession from the detainees were received and documented. Toul Sleng in Khmer means “hill of the poisonous trees.” The S-21 Prison processed over 17,000 men, women, and children who were accused of opposing the Pol Pot Regime, or have ties with the American and Vietnamese Government. The letter “S” stood for Security, the number “2” stood for Warden Duch, second in command, and the number “1” stood for Brother Number One, referring to Pol Pot.  His real name is Saloth Sar. Inmates at the prison were interrogated, tortured, and then led to one of the dozens of “Killing Fields” to be executed. Only a few survived the S-21 Prison. Last month, in an international tribunal, Kaing Guek Eav was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role and leader at S-21. Survivors and family members of prisoners of Toul Sleng believed the sentence was not harsh enough.   

My father cannot watch any movies or documentaries about the Khmer Rouge Regime.  I remember watching the 1984 movie, “The Killing Fields”, and he did not watch it with us. I cried at the end of the movie, when John Lennon’s song, “Imagine” came on. I still can remember the images from the movie, especially the bones and corpses, known as the “Killing Fields” that Dith Pran, character in the movie, discovers. The film was shot in Thailand, and the close-up shots of blood, rubble, and devastation of the nation is truly the heart of the film. The movie won three Academy Awards, one was for Best Cinematography, and another was for Best Supporting Actor to Dr. Haing S. Ngor, who was the first Cambodian to win an Oscar. Imagine two million lives cut short. Imagine what might have been.   

Even though my father did not experience the Pol Pot Regime first hand, he is still traumatized during this dark period of Cambodian history. He will not talk about it because many of the Royal family, his family members, have been killed, 5 were his own children (3 half sisters, 2 half brothers of mine). You can see in his eyes the pain whenever this topic comes up. In order for me to understand my people’s history, I will have to witness first hand of the place of brutality where the genocide began. This was not an easy trip, as I had been warned by locals that this is not for the weak at heart. But I must go visit the museum, as this is an important part of my heritage.   

The first look at the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum was eerie. Four buildings, which are labeled A, B, C, and D are the areas to tour. The four buildings, three levels each, were turned into small cells, (0.8 x 2 meters) locking up prisoners ranging from scholars, teachers, doctors, military officials, ministers, monks, foreigners, and Pol Pot’s cadres. The Khmer Rouge considered anyone who was a skilled professional or intellectual was an enemy. The front of the buildings was covered in a fishnet of barbed wires, preventing them from escaping. In front of Building A was a burial ground consisting of 14 corpses. The bodies of 14 victims were discovered on January 7, 1979, by the United Front for the National Salvation of Kampuchea (UFNSK). They were the last prisoners to be tortured and killed by S-21 personnel before they fled.   

Right next to the corpses was an interrogation and torture machine, a wooden pole, once used for physical education for the students. The interrogators tied both hands of the prisoners to the back by a rope and lifted the prisoners upside down, until they lost consciousness. Then they dipped the prisoner’s head into a jar of filthy, smelly water, so the victim can regain consciousness, and continue the interrogation. The filthy water was used as fertilizers for the crops in the terrace outside. Other methods of torture included; electric shock, burning with cigarette, water tortures, suffocation with plastic bag, beating with a stick and electric wire, paying homage to images of dogs, tables, chairs, drinking urine, and eating “2 to 3 spoonful of shit.”   

Walking through the buildings I felt the pain and suffering of the victims. It was quiet, despite the numerous tourists. I viewed the rooms full of rows of mug shots of the prisoners, as well as paintings by Vann Nath, of torture and execution. One painting depicted a prisoner getting his finger nails pulled off with pliers, and then the interrogator poured alcohol over it. Vann Nath is a former prisoner and survivor of Toul Sleng. He never witnessed any of the torture, but heard about it from the prisoners. Vann Nath was kept alive because of his skill as an artist, and was put to work painting pictures of Pol Pot. Of the 17,000 prisoners, there were only 12 known survivors, and only 4 are thought to still be alive, one of them is Vann Nath.   

As I was staring at the photos of the leaders of the Khmer Rouge, a man by the name of Pao Thouun, who was visiting the museum with his uncle, asked if I could read the writings below the pictures (which were in Khmer, French, and English). I said, “Only English and I just came from the U.S.” He mentioned that his family was lucky to flee to France and never experienced the Pol Pot Regime, and so did I, my parents, and sister, Tana. His uncle was a high ranking official in the Army, and the Khmer Rouge would have killed him, if he was caught. He asked if I knew about the history, and I told him I’ve recently started reading books about it, as my father does not want to talk about it. I just finished reading the memoir by King Norodom Sihanouk, volume one. He gave me his contact information and mentioned that many books about the Khmer Rouge Regime are biased, and have their own agendas, but the books he will recommend gives the facts. I briefly spoke with his uncle, who has decided to stay for the remainder of his life in Cambodia, instead of France. I mentioned my father has decided to stay in Cambodia as well, instead of the U.S.   

Pao Thouun said, “I must have lived the good life in America.” I said, “No.” My parents both worked, and went to school in the evenings, learning English and taking business courses in a community college. In the U.S., my father was not treated as a prince or a General of the Air Force, but just like the rest of the people trying to make a living. Every day my father lives through the pain of what the war has done to the country and his family, and has never forgotten it. Later, my parents started their own businesses (donut shops, grocery store) and became successful. During the mid 70s there were no government assistance programs for refugees, and my parents earned their money working 7 days a week. My sister, Tana, and I were latchkey kids, having to take care of ourselves most of the time. A latchkey kid is someone who returns from school to an empty house because the parents are working, or left alone with little or no supervision. 

My parents always gave us the materials things we wanted, but lacked the emotional support we needed. They were not available when there were Parent/Teacher Conferences, school recitals and concerts (I played the violin and cello), school field trips, and Spelling Bee competitions. I didn’t understand why my parents never attended these events, and always stood out as the parentless kid in school. The teachers understood, and now I do too. I thank my parents for working really hard, to give us all a college education, and molding me into a strong and independent person, sometimes too independent.   

Building A was used for detaining cadres who were accused of leading a revolt against Pol Pot. Their rooms (6 x 4 meters each), were furnished with a bed, blanket, cushion, a mat, and an iron bucket used to dispose their body waste. The windows were paneled with glass to minimize the sound of screams by prisoners during the torturing process. The blood stains have been removed from these rooms, and only photographs of tortured prisoners in that same room are displayed on the walls. Building B, C, and D were used as cells, divided into small cells with brick walls. The upper floors were used for large cells where many prisoners were crowded together. It felt dark and cold walking through these corridors of brick walls. Seda, who has been here before, waited for me outside in the middle of the terrace as I toured the buildings alone. I rushed through one of the building, since no tourists were there, as I felt a cold chill. Some believed that the spirits of the victims still haunt the place.   

During the tour, Seda and I stopped to watch a one hour documentary of the S-21 Prison, which Seda hasn’t seen. This documentary talked about one of the prisoner, a 25 year old female named Mom (pronounced mum). The documentary featured her mother who told the story about her daughter, Mum, whose real name is Bophana. When the regime began, Cambodians changed their names so the Khmer Rouge would not know who they really were. Bophana was raped, became pregnant, and gave up her son for adoption. Many times she tried to commit suicide, but was unsuccessful. At the time, if you are unwed and pregnant, you were disowned from the family, because the villagers would talk about you. Bophana changed her life around and later was educated in France, and came back to Phnom Penh to work for the government. She was considered an intelligent woman. Her life was beginning to look bright, until, April 1975, the dark days of Cambodia began. The prophecy predicted became a reality.   

The Khmer Rouge Regime took over the city of Phnom Penh, and Bophana, now called Mum, was forced to work as a peasant out in the field. She was married, and her husband was split from her. The Khmer Rouge’s radical program included isolating the country from foreign influence, closing schools, hospitals, factories, and banks, outlawing all religions, confiscating private properties, and relocating people from the city to the countryside, where forced labor was widespread. The entire population was forced to work in labor camps as farmers. Bophana’s mother never understood why the Khmer Rouge split up mothers and fathers from their children, and husbands and wives. They were forced not to learn to love as well.   

Bophana began writing love letters to her husband, as this was rare, because she was educated and could read and write. These letters were later confiscated by the Khmer Rouge, and Bophana was arrested in 1976 and taken to Toul Sleng. After 6 months in prison, on March 18, 1977, Bophana was executed. The Khmer Rouge also killed her husband, and people she talked about in her letters. Her mother, with tears in her eyes, knows that her daughter will never come back home. The painful memory of the regime still lies in the hearts of most Cambodians. Her letters were later founded at S-21, and a book has been published about Bophana’s story, who is considered the Anne Frank of Cambodia. Anne Frank is a renowned Jewish victim of the Holocaust. Known for the quality of her writing, “The Diary of Anne Frank” has become one of the world’s most widely read books, which has been translated into plays and movies.   

A former Toul Sleng employee, who worked as the truck driver, was interviewed in the documentary. I don’t recall his name, as he will be called “Driver.” He was forced by Warden Duch to beat the prisoners before they were killed and later thrown into the field.  Driver mentioned that he was scared of Duch, and had to do whatever Duch ordered, or else, he would be killed. Driver never killed any of the prisoners, and stated he only beat up 5 of them. He was responsible for taking them from their cells at night and transporting them to the field. Sometimes there were 3, or 5, or as many as 30 prisoners. Two trucks had to be used. The prisoners were blindfolded, as Driver helped them walk to the trucks. They asked him if they were going to be killed. Driver just told them, “No. You are going to another facility”. But this was not the truth. The prisoners were beaten and executed, and the inhumane acts were witnessed by the head chiefs and Warden Duch.   

Building D displayed horrific photographs and paintings of the gruesome acts at Toul Sleng. One of the room displayed skulls of the prisoners, stored in glass cabinets. Some of the human skulls were individually displayed in glass cases. I couldn’t read the writing because it was in French and Khmer. High above the wall was a photograph of the bones and skulls of the prisoners dumped at the killing field of Choeung Ek, 30 minutes outside the city of Phnom Penh. Choeung Ek Memorial is now a group of mass graves and a memorial containing thousands of human bones and skulls. This was chilling to view, as I thought about the movie, ‘”The Killing Fields.” I prayed for the victims at one of the spot located in this building.   

The Toul Sleng Genocide Museum was opened on August 19, 1979 when Kampuchea People’s Tribunal started prosecuting the leaders of the Khmer Rouge, which also includes Ieng Sary and Khiev Samphorn. Pol Pot never went to trial because he died in 1998. Some believed he was poisoned.   

Keeping the memory of the bloody regime, the oppression, anguish and suffering caused by the Khmer Rouge, is the key to building a stronger nation and preventing new “Pol Pot” from emerging in Cambodia, or anywhere in the world. Visiting Toul Sleng gave me a chance to witness the brutal acts by the Khmer Rouge, the worst genocide in history, and getting closer to understanding my people’s history.   

As I started walking toward the entrance of Toul Sleng, I looked back at the buildings and stopped for a moment of silence. In April 1975, my parents, Tana and I were vacationing in Thailand when the country fell into the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Because my father was stationed in the Thai Air Force Base in Bangkok, and his connection with the U.S. Air Force, we were immediately flown straight to the U.S. Imagine what would have happened if we were in Phnom Penh. My father or mother probably would have been taken to Toul Sleng, and I, at the age of 5, would have been parted from them and my sister. Maybe that is why my father does not want to talk about it, because he feels guilty giving the opportunity to live. He never had a chance to say goodbye to his family and kids, and after all these years, his heart still aches. Then I thought about the comment that Pao Thouun made to me earlier. I did live the good life in America, because I was fortunate to live.

Meeting the George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Will Smith of Cambodia

   

The 11^th Annual International Youth Day was celebrated at Pannasastra University (PUC) on August 12, 2010. A concert was held that evening at the Conference Hall, with musical artists, celebrities, and guest speakers representing the youth community. With a crowded audience of youth and members of organizations from YRDP, YFP, OYG, KYSD, CVS, PHD, YCC, ICA, CIYA, PF, KCD, SEC, CMYCC, YPSD, FAAC, YPSA, YCDA, PASS, SCY, CDPO, MoEYS, and PUC, the 3 hour concert was as entertaining as inspiring.  

I was invited by Socheath to attend the event and help write an article for the university’s website. Socheath is the Director of Administration and Special Events for the South Campus of Pannasastra University, and also a new member on my team. Socheath is originally from the province of Kandal, and has completed her Master’s Degree and received an MBA from Pannasastra University in 2008. She has travelled overseas in Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Germany, and Brunei, as a member of the Youth Association of Cambodia and the Asian Youth Council. Socheath is very knowledgeable in the field of youth education, which will be one of the topics I will be focusing on for the radio talk show.  

The other member on my team is Kolap, who recently completed her Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Library and Information Studies in May 2010. She is also a graduate of PUC in 2007 with a B.A. in International Relations. Kolap is the Director of PUC’s library system and has the resources available on any topics. Dr. Kol Pheng has surrounded me with hard working and intelligent women. They are very knowledgeable about the university’s programs and curriculums and I feel blessed to be working with them. He has given me the necessary tools to be a successful radio talk show host. Dr. Pheng mentioned at a faculty meeting to one of the professors that within two years I will be famous, and I will leave the show. I kindly said that I will stay longer than two years. In my earlier blog, I noted that Dr. Pheng is the Bill Gates of Cambodia. How can I not succeed if I have the support from the Minister of Youth and Education, who is also the Founding Father and the Dean of PUC, the most prestigious university in Cambodia.  

International Youth Day is the celebration of the power of youth, recognizing their achievements, and encouraging them to be active in the development of their society. It is a day of promoting better awareness of World Programme of Action for the youth. The 2007 World Development Report insists on investing in the next generation. The energy of the youth, and their willingness to fight for the future are needed. One of the honorary guests at the concert was the Deputy Regional Director of  UNICEF for East Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Richard Bridle.  His motivational speech in English, and translated by Ly Pichey, in Khmer, stated, “Cambodia’s young people are the country’s greatest resource.” Mr. Bridle ended his powerful speech by speaking a few words in Khmer.  

Distinguished guests in the Government, Embassies, Donors, Civil Society, and Private Sectors were invited to attend the event. I was honored to be seated next to Dr. Chea Samnang, a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for Cambodia since 2000. Later I found out that he is a famous actor as well as a doctor. Dr. Chea Samnang is a modest man, and only talked about his role as a Goodwill Ambassador travelling throughout Cambodia lecturing about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the impact on young people. He has traveled to Japan and the U.S. and has met Honorary Ambassador Takehito Nakata, as well as Academy Award Winning Actress, Angelina Jolie. Dr. Chea Samnang spoke briefly at the event and was commended for his charitable work.  

Sitting next to Dr. Chea Samnang is Mr. Chhora Horm, another famous actor, and good friend of Dr. Chea Samnang. I also didn’t know who Chhora Horm was, and thought he was a reporter, looking very suave and debonair. Dr. Chea Samnang says Chhora Horm is a big movie star, and way more famous than him. The consensus says that Dr. Chea Samnang is the veteran actor, and has been in more movies than Chhora Horm. It’s like comparing Al Pacino to Matthew McConaughey. Dr. Chea Samnang is the bigger movie star, but he doesn’t admit it.  

I’ve been around celebrities and high profile personalities in the U.S. and know how to interact with them. When I was living in Atlanta, on Thanksgiving Day, I would volunteer at Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless, the biggest Thanksgiving dinner in the U.S. Among the celebrities I served food and mingled with were R & B Artist and Rapper, T.I., NFL’s Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur Blank, CEOs and CFOs from Delta Airlines, UPS, and Home Depot corporations, as well as NFL, NBA, and MLB professionals.  

In California, working for Pelco opened up the doors to meeting many public figures. One of my heroes is the former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani. We hosted an event at our CEOs home to raise money for Giuliani’s good friend, Bill Simon, who at the time was running for Governor of California. For the cost of $2,500 a ticket, the guests each receive a photo with Giuliani and a fabulous dinner. This fundraising event raised the most money in the Central Valley in October 2002. Bill Simon lost the election to Gray Davis, who again, became Governor of California, but for only a very short time.  

I was ecstatic to assist with the campaign for Arnold Schwarzenegger, a famous actor, who ran for Governor in California. He is married to Maria Shriver, one of the family members of the Kennedy, the closest thing to Royalty in the U.S. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is a Republican, (so am I) held a Q & A press conference at Pelco, where voters can ask Mr. Schwarzenegger questions. I was chosen to be the microphone girl, running up and down and handing the microphone to the people. A shot of my arm made the CNN News. Schwarzenegger won the election and became California’s Governor in November 2003. The former CEO and President of Pelco, Dave McDonald, a Republican, is a good friend of Giuliani and Schwarzenegger. I still have photos from these special events and will always cherish the wonderful memories working at Pelco as the Marketing Communications Writer and Customer Relations Facilitator from 2001-2006. One of the highlights was marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York, with some of my colleagues, the NYPD, FDNY, and the Port Authority officials of New York and New Jersey. Pelco played an integral role in the cleanup of the 911 attack in New York, as the Pelco cameras recorded the damages throughout the city for all to witness, primarily the unsafe areas of the Twin Towers. Some of my colleagues at Pelco are my biggest supporters, as they have followed my journeys from Clovis, California, to Atlanta, Georgia, and now to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  

Mr. Chhora Horm gave his speech and was later moved by a performance by the youth group in the slum areas. He walked up on stage and gave his bouquet of flowers to them, and they gathered around and embraced him. When Chhora Horm went back to his seat, I can see that he was emotionally touched. During the concert, guests and performers would stop by and meet Dr. Chea Samnang and Chhora Horm. Both of them were very gracious and cordial, as they are truly celebrities, with cameras continuously taking snapshots of them. I wonder how many photos or videos I am in as a background.  

During the concert, Dr. Chea Samnang and I spoke about his role as a Goodwill Ambassador, and I asked if he would like to be a guest on my radio talk show. He was hesitant, since he believed that his English is not good enough to be on an English speaking only show. If it was in Khmer, he would do it. I said that his English is fine and he would make a big impact to the listeners, especially about youth education. He gave me his business card. My Barbara Walters’ persona kicked in. I said to Dr. Chea Samnang that I admired him for finding the time to be a Goodwill Ambassador, as well as a physician and actor. He smiled. I aspire to be like Dr. Chea Samnang, as I will one day, be a Goodwill Ambassador, and the Barbara Walters of Cambodia. Just a few things added on my bucket list, next to bungee jumping and visiting the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum in Agra, India. A bucket list is a list of things to do before you die.  

Another entertaining moment was when Mr. Norn Sok performed and the audience was rolling with laughter. Mr. Norn Sok’s act captivated the audience with his rhythmic and comical song, while playing his guitar, as he joked about his handicap (eye sight). It was a great performance which made Dr. Chea Samnang come on stage and give his bouquet of roses to Mr. Norn Sok. The audience cheered as Mr. Norm Sok walked off the stage. All the guests who spoke and performed received a bouquet of beautiful, red roses.  

The special event had performances of Cambodian traditional dances, Apsara dancers, legendary singer Eang Sythol, and a hip-hop performance by Pou Khlaing, who got the audience waving their hands in the air. Pou Khlaing energized the crowd with his singing, dancing, and comedic act. There were many great performances, but I thought Pou Khlaing was the highlight of the concert. You can watch him on youtube. I had the opportunity to speak with him afterwards, and asked him where he lived in the U.S. He stated in his act that he lived in the U.S. for two years. He said, “Kentucky”. I made this shocking look and said, “Kentucky”? I’m thinking California or maybe New York. He agreed and joked about Kentucky as well. In addition, Pou Khlaing has accepted my invitation to be a special guest on my radio talk show, launching in September of 2010. We exchanged contact information, and when he saw my name, he said, “Oh your highness, it is an honor to meet you.” I said, “Please, call me Soma, as I feel very uncomfortable being called that. Remember, I grew up in the U.S.” He still had his hands folded together in a praying gesture as I walked to my seat.  

Youth are not the only leaders of tomorrow, but today. In order to build a prosperous and bright future, globally, we must recognize that our youth play an important role. Empowering and inspiring the youth to participate in creating positive social change is the key to growth for their countries, and International Youth Day celebrates their achievements. I hope to make an impact on the show and be a part of the development and rebuilding of Cambodia. This would make my father proud and Dr. Pheng happy.  

It was getting late and Seda and I had to leave before the concert was over, as our father was waiting to have dinner with us. I invited my father to the event, but he declined. Seda suggests I give our VIP guests her business card, and write my contact information on it, since my business cards have not been made yet. I gave the cards to Dr. Chea Samnang, Chhora Horm, and Horm’s business partner, Soem Manith. They read my name and looked at each other. I could tell what they were thinking. It was a wonderful concert, and I had great time learning about International Youth Day, as well as getting to meet the George Clooney (Dr. Chea Samnang), Brad Pitt (Chhora Horm), and Will Smith (Pou Khlaing) of Cambodia.

Angkor Pearl Hotel…Discovering Elegance And Hospitality In Siem Reap

 

 

Because of the tourist attractions of the temples of Angkor, leading to the ruins of Angkor Wat, the province of Siem Reap has grown from a rural area into a tourist town. With hundreds of accommodation options, how does one choose? Referrals and recommendations are always the best. Our driver suggests we stay at the Angkor Pearl Hotel, just 10 minutes away from Angkor Wat. 

Angkor Pearl is rated as the Top 10 Hotels in Siem Reap. Rooms range from single, double, to a suite, starting at an affordable price of $20. The rooms and suites offers air conditioning, hot water, cable tv-with over 80 channels, a mini refrigerator, bottled waters, and fresh towels. At the hotel lobby, guests can access free high-speed internet. 

In the morning, guests can enjoy a delicious American breakfast. The menu consists of a Southwestern omelette, pancakes, bacon, sausage, ham, eggs, French toast, and toast, as well as the Asian breakfast of egg fried noodles and chicken fried rice. I haven’t tasted a great omelette, and this one wins the prize as the best in Cambodia. 

After a long day of exploring Angkor Wat, guests can unwind at the trendy Pearl Bar, where cocktails and beers are served. Or just relax, while getting a great massage. After seeing the sites of Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm, and being on my feet all day, the long, hot shower felt good. Getting into the clean, fresh, white comforter reminded me of my bed in the U.S. I slept soundly the entire night. 

The staff will ensure the guests receive a high quality service, along with a memorable experience. I brought my curling iron from the U.S. and the outlet was not compatible with my curling iron. I called the Front Desk, and they immediately brought me an adapter, which fits perfectly. Now that’s what I call service. 

I highly recommend Angkor Pearl Hotel because of its exceptional customer service, along with the amenities of a world class hotel. You can discover elegance and hospitality at Angkor Pearl Hotel, at an affordable rate.

Honoring The Gods At Angkor

Checking Out The Nightlife in Phnom Penh

 

 

 

 

Colonel Sanders In Phnom Penh