Thousands upon thousands of protesters stomp through the sweaty streets of Bangkok, demanding that the current administration step down and attempting to surround governmental buildings. Confused tourists — whose dollars represent one of the most valuable pillars of the Thai economy — sidestep barricades in the more atmospheric neighborhoods of the capitol city, while rumblings […]
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Rise of the Bay Area Drones
I wrote something about drones in the Bay Area for SFGate and the Peninsula Press. And made a video. The flying device moves across the winter sky with a throaty hum reminiscent of a “Star Wars” sound effect. It hovers for a moment, then makes a sudden feint to the left and another to the right, demonstrating remarkable […]
Racism, Vietnam, and Cambodian Politics – UN Dispatch
How Anti-Vietnamese Racism is Fueling Politics in Cambodia – UN Dispatch The elderly Vietnamese woman resided in a tiny room off an alley in Phnom Penh, using boxes of the soda pop she sold for a living as furniture. And she was worried. It was the summer of 2013, and controversy was raging over the […]
Kermbodia Is Very Bad Place
It happens every year. An educated foreigner who fancies him or herself adventurous alights in Cambodia, ready to Enlighten The World about what the Khmer are up to. 2014 has already given us our first specimen of the Holy Shit Cambodia genre of writing, and Foreign Policy Blogs writer Dustin Dye is here to enlighten […]
Expat Field Guide: Spiritual Seekers
Spiritual Seekers are coming to a tropical paradise near you, bearing books of Zen koans and an unusual fondness for discussing chakras and “Indigo Children.” They are inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert. They would like to talk with you about how Southeast Asians are such a “happy people.” Do not make direct eye contact. Spiritual […]
Expat Field Guide: Ivy League Grad Who’s Here to Save You
She graduated from Princeton on a mission: a mission to save the world. Preferably with microcredit and hugs, and lots of selfies with poor children who live on trash heaps.
The Frontgate Catalog Mocks Your Economic Pain
There is another crass, capitalist catalog out there, beyond the well-known horrors of four-figure Williams Sonoma hen houses. There is another. There is…Frontgate. Unlike Williams Sonoma, as was so masterfully described earlier this month at Deadspin, Frontgate caters to the wealthy person who does not have pretensions of living in a rustic French estate. No, Frontgate […]
Expat Guide: Terrified PHD Candidate
This species of expatriate found Asia much more pleasant when it was theoretical, nicely ensconced on a glossy page inside of an Ivy-covered library, perhaps. The study trip he went on sophomore year was guided by professors and everyone they met was pleasing and English speaking, and someone ordered his noodles for him. Why not […]
Expat Field Guide: Australian Yobbos
Australian Yobbos are found wherever there is a beach and cheap beer, although more adventurous (or clueless) members of the species can sometimes be seen staring blankly at maps in remote villages in Laos. Incomprehensible accents only grow so more so after considerable application of cheap, slightly stale beer. Communicate with sign language. Their spawning […]
Expat Field Guide: Sinister American Contractors on Leave
Lest all my foreign friends think I’m singling them out for special abuse….here’s Sinister Middle Aged American Contractor On Leave. This species is usually found hanging around in inexpensive bars, and tends to emerge from its den as early as 10:30 AM to prevent an attack of the shakes. Often has a wife at home, […]