Traveling to Challenge Perspectives: A Journey Beyond Comfort
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Chapter 1: The Purpose of Travel
Traveling ideally should be a stress-free and guilt-free experience where one encounters diverse cultures and individuals, ultimately leading to personal growth. However, this ideal rarely materializes completely. If you are observant and conscientious, you might feel a sense of guilt when spending money in countries where citizens lack basic rights. Each nation has its share of challenges—political, social, and economic—but most often, these issues are well-concealed, allowing visitors to enjoy their trips without much awareness of the underlying problems.
What if, instead, you ventured to a place where the harsh realities are impossible to ignore? I propose a transformative approach to travel: consider visiting one of the 47 nations identified by the UN as the "least developed." These so-called "Fourth World Countries" present a unique opportunity to witness unresponsive governments, inadequate services, and widespread poverty—situations we typically avoid on vacations.
This unconventional travel experience may provoke uncomfortable feelings and thoughts, yet it could also expand your capacity for empathy and strengthen your resolve to inspire positive change both in your life and the world around you.
Recently, I visited Cambodia, one of those 47 nations, and was profoundly impacted by the severe poverty and struggle I encountered. I developed a deep sense of injustice regarding the plight of the kind-hearted individuals I met there. I also gained clearer insights into the mistakes made by developing nations: prioritizing the interests of foreign expats, constructing gambling venues, and exploiting historic temples rather than fostering a varied and productive economy.
In the podcast "LET IT GO! Surrender to Happiness with Michael Singer," Michael Singer discusses the importance of embracing life's challenges to cultivate happiness. This resonates deeply with the experiences I had in Cambodia, where confronting uncomfortable truths can lead to meaningful change.
Chapter 2: Observations from Cambodia
During my journey, I did not view Cambodia's struggles through the lens of a flawless society. My own country grapples with severe issues such as racial segregation, economic disparity, and a flawed justice system. So, who am I to visit Cambodia and bear witness? Nonetheless, I went to admire the temples and was drawn into the realities of the people’s suffering. If those from more developed nations can offer genuine assistance, the individuals facing hardship are unlikely to turn it away.
While there, I became aware of the political climate, as Cambodia was transitioning from a long-standing leader, Hun Sen, to his son, Hun Manet. I had read about Hun Sen's controversial past and the oppressive regime he maintained for nearly four decades.
This trip was partly motivated by a desire to see how much had changed since the publication of "Off the Rails in Phnom Penh," which highlighted the excesses of foreign expats in the 1990s. Although there had been some improvements, the country still faced significant challenges, primarily driven by its garment industry benefiting from cheap labor. I termed this “growth through sweatshops,” as the wealth gap widened, with a small elite thriving while 62% of the population remained impoverished.
On my first day in Phnom Penh, I encountered a perplexing monument dedicated to those who lost their lives during a pro-democracy rally in 1997. The existence of such a monument in a nation often criticized for lacking democratic governance raised questions. It turned out that many believed Hun Sen was linked to the massacre.
This monument evoked sadness from the start. The following day, I returned to lay flowers and reflect on the lives lost. I thought of the young girl who was killed and the political prisoners enduring hardship in Cambodian jails.
In the video "Everything You Need to Know About The 5 Second Rule," Mel Robbins emphasizes the importance of taking action despite discomfort. This concept aligns perfectly with my experiences in Cambodia, where confronting difficult realities is essential for fostering change.
Chapter 3: The Reality of Daily Life
As I explored the city, I witnessed numerous red-light districts filled with bars and young women often forced into this line of work due to dire economic circumstances. Many of these women are driven by the need to support their families, yet their opportunities for a better life diminish as they enter this degrading profession.
The lack of industrial jobs outside of sweatshops has forced many to rely on tourism. Tuk-tuk drivers, for instance, compete fiercely for customers, reflecting a society where survival is tied to catering to foreign interests.
Families often live in makeshift conditions, striving to make ends meet. The stark contrast between the lives of local citizens and the experiences of tourists highlighted the disparities created by a “tuk-tuk/bar-girl economy,” where the local population must adapt to the demands of foreign visitors.
The allure of the new indoor market is overshadowed by the sight of children begging for money. Conversations with expats reveal a troubling perspective: some find Cambodia a convenient and affordable place to live, raising questions about why the government has not provided more substantial support to its citizens.
Through this journey, I have come to believe that we must seek out and witness suffering wherever it exists, both domestically and internationally. This can be a vital step toward enacting meaningful change. When a nation struggles to conceal its issues, the global narrative must reflect those realities. Perhaps we are not as powerless as we often feel.