\

 

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Afternoons in Sihanoukville were spent on Victory Beach hanging out with adorable 9-year-old Mai and her 14-year-old friends, girls who make a business out of selling fresh fruit and string bracelets to visiting sun-worshippers. Mai's infectious laughter and insistent calls of "madam" were hard to resist, so I usually had my hands full playing with her until well after the sun went down. At that time, her father would call her back to the flimsy bamboo shack on the beach they called home, just a few yards from a new food stand offering "happy" pizza to thrill-seeking tourists.

LS

 

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

My new friend Joe (seated) and his brother were virgins in a new restaurant venture, one of many eating up the coastline. With so much competition around, I initiated multiple brainstorming sessions to help improve their business. We revised the menu, worked on the overall appearance of the area and discussed future growth. Sadly, it may all be futile, as the government comes weekly for bribes and can tear their place down whenever they see a better opportunity. But for now, business is good, and Joe enjoys his nights’ sleep on the lounge chairs overlooking the gulf.f.

SBR