Technology Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Technology never ceases to amaze me. Sitting in a century old French colonial cafe situated on the corner of a bustling intersection in Siem Reap, I was enjoying a local draught, watching the transactions of tourists and Khmer Tuk Tuk drivers hustling for a fair price for both parties. The December afternoon was balmy, but offers no hint of rain. The scent of drying squid from the Old Market across the road blends pungently with the exhaust fumes of numerous Tuk Tuks and small 150cc motorbikes wizzing by breaking the consistent chatter of vendors, street hawkers and tourists and giving crescendos to the drone-like soundtrack of the afteroon. 

After keying in the code to connect to wifi (the free service of all cafés, restaurants and guesthouses big and small here in developing Siem Reap, which is either offered at a premium price or NOT AT ALL in similar 'developed' Australian establishments), it doesn't take long for my phone to ding signifying an incoming Skype call.

Cindy and the kids are on the other end of the video call and it's lovely to hear a familiar voice and see a familiar face. As the usual description of each other's daily events were being discussed, I'm interrupted by three Khmer children ranging from five through to ten years of age. The three children are hawking postcards and wristbands to tourists. On a previous day a young book vendor about 12 years old informed me that they often finish their half day of state schooling at lunchtime and spend the afternoon and evening selling their wares to tourists (in English) to support their family; a stark contrast to the afternoon of swimming, ballet dancing and general playing that Zara and Isabella enjoy daily. Instantly I had a thought and passed the Skype call (not the phone) to the three children to hawk their products to my girls in Australia. The smiles were electric on both sides of the connection as the pleasantries were exchanged before the need to make a sale kicked in for the Khmer kids. The transaction was completed, two bracelets were bought, an intercultural interaction was made and all parties left with more than what they initially expected. 

The power of technology never ceases to amaze me. In every way it empowers, transforms and enhances traditional means of communication, making the once incomprenhensible an often taken for granted part of our daily lives. Until next time...

R