Tag: Jyri Manninen

The Devil’s Playground

Jyri Manninen | Kajura

On my Saigon Side Quest, in addition to doing the usual site seeing, I decided to do a walking tour of the famous, or should I say infamous, Bui Vien Street in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. Now, I did the filming quite early, soon after dark at around 7.30pm, but it was already getting very busy. So, you could imagine what goes on there after midnight, at the epicentre of nightlife activities in a city of some 14 million people.

Apart from showing you just the chaos of the Party Zone, I also explored the relative tranquility of the narrow alleyway network between the buildings, as well as a walk through Saigon’s Central Park, where people were still exercising and socialising. What a contrast to what was happening just a few hundred metres away!

While this type of scene is so far removed from my own areas of interest, I still found it fascinating to observe the variety and vibrant of the area in its entirety, especially the contrast between what I consider the good and, well, not so good … but that’s just my own view. Feel free to make up your own conclusion as you, hopefully, enjoy this walk through The Devil’s Playground.

Be blessed,
George

Khmer Village & Festival Visit

Jyri Manninen | Kajura

With the gracious invitation by my neighbour, Kelly, and his family, I had the privilege of getting to visit a traditional Khmer Village, as well as join in the fun at a local festival. It was my expat neighbour’s Khmer wife family village, and I certainly got a a little taste of what it’s like to live in a rural area in Cambodia. So many animals everywhere! It was so interesting to simply watch the cows, dogs, chickens, pigs, all just living their own best lives, as the ladies of the family prepared a super tasty chicken curry. Then the scenery! Banana trees, coconut palms, and ricefields, all around. I felt like I was watching life going off like a popcorn machine. So rich, so sublime! Then, a little later at the festival, I was almost overwhelmed by the incredible noise; but it was nothing but the sound of joy. I soon joined in the fun, even having a wee dance there at one point.

It was an amazing day out, and I feel so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to have this experience. The only ‘downside’ was Kelly getting the attention of different groups of Khmer ladies at the festival to indicate to them that I didn’t have a wedding ring. I now suspect the whole plan was to try and get me married off! But it was all in good spirits. The festival was just a big bunch of people getting together to have some good old, simple, wholesome fun as a community. What a joy it was to get to be a part of it!

Be blessed,
George

Cambodia. What am I grateful for?

Jyri Manninen | Kajura

After just 6 weeks in Cambodia, good things just keep on coming. In this latest video, I tell about my new teaching job, as well as my new apartment. Then, to finish, I describe the three main things that I am the most grateful for, but I won’t ruin the surprise by mentioning them here. So, you’ll just have to watch the video in which the backdrop is a walking tour around my new neighbourhood, a loop that starts and ends at the Phsa Kraom markets. I hope you enjoy this even small glimpse into what real, everyday life looks like here in Siem Reap, as opposed to the more glossy, tourism related things.

Be blessed,
George