Two sets of photos today, enjoy!

___________________________

My name is Phoebe Leung and I am going to pursue an MPA-DP at Columbia this Fall. I am a student from Hong Kong. My pictures are all taken from Cambodia, where I have been working for about one year.

Cambodia is a country of contrasts. Some people see the country as one of the least developed in the region, while others speak of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Developers talk about business opportunities with the newly rich, while many others are still left behind in the rural areas and remain reliant on subsistence agriculture. The country’s most renowned province, Siem Reap, is also part of these contrasts. Tourism developments around the Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have brought in many foreigners, such as those waiting for the sunset on Bakheng Mountain in this photograph. However, the province remains the second poorest in the country.

The Mekong River is the country’s lifeline, providing an essential source of water and food. The river meanders through Kampong Chhnang province, where houses built right on top of the river are commonly found. As indicated in this picture, many houses are raised above water and boats very often sail by under them in search of fish, lotus and other aquatic plants.

Many Cambodian families live by the Thai border and travel between the two countries every day as day labourers and porters. This picture is taken in the K’bal Koh Village of Poipet, a border town where many residents are poor migrant workers. Since the adult members of these communities tend to move around with their work, they can only afford makeshift houses made with wood, metal, plastic, etc.

__________________________

The next set of photos was submitted by Justin Eldridge Otero, an incoming MIA student.

__________________________

There is still plenty of time for new students to submit photos for the blog.  This is a great way to share about some of your experiences and get to know you new classmates.  Submission information here.

___________________________

The photos today are from Priyam Saraf, an incoming MPA student.

___________________________

Ganges, the largest river in India passes through my hometowm, Kolkata. I like this picture because it captures the two faces of the Ganges – a spiritual lifeline where hundreds of devotees go to pray and take a dip in the river and the centre of commerce/transport for many people. However, years of neglect and industrial discharge currently make it one of the most polluted rivers in India necessitating government efforts for clean up.

I backpacked through Vietnam this summer and this is a picture of the Reunification express that connects Saigon in South Vietnam to Hanoi in the North. During the War, this track was the target of bombardments and was severely damaged. It was restored post fall of Saigon in 1975-1976. The train is frequently used by the middle class in Vietnam, esp. if they are travelling heavy. For a traveller, it’s a lovely way to witness rapid landscape changes from south to the north, taste local cuisines at station-stops and exchange stories with co-passengers.

A self sufficient entity in Hue where they conserve their plants, grow vegetables, educate young monks and teach them a vocational skill. I find Vietnam fascinating – preserve old practices while working hard to be one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.

The fall semester is rapidly approaching . . . hard to believe how fast the summer is going here in the Office of Admissions.  We continue to get great photos from incoming students and welcome new students to keep sending them.  See this post for details.

Today’s photos were submitted by Susmita De, and incoming MPA-DP student.

_________________________

This was taken in the early evening at the famous Angkor Wat. I love that you can spot a briefcase in one of the Monks hands.

China – Dali manicure: While traveling through southern China in a small fishing village just outside of Dali, I saw several women with their fingers highlighted in orange. When I asked what it was for, they said that it was a bit of a beauty treat, in preparation for the evening’s annual Torch Festival (the celebration honoured a famous General who sacrificed himself in a fire in order to save the people of Dali).

Namibia – Dune Cartwheel: I try to get someone to take a photo of me cartwheeling everywhere I travel, and this is one of my all time favorites – in the magnificent dunes in western Namibia.