To all the good folk who have passed through our gates, walked our path, shared our food and sheltered in our midst, this is a very sincere and heartfelt thank you, you have made our time in Cambodia all that more worth while. The forces that conspired to bring me here have now decided that it's time to move on, take a different track and see where the wind will take us next.
Those past five years and seven months were one of the most rewarding, challenging, beautiful and happy times of my life. My love affair with the Kingdom - like the love affair of others who came long before me - will never die or never fade, like a song of unrequited love . I have been smitten.
Little Garden Bar almost made ten years on the grass routes tourist map of Kampot in South West Kampuchea under the helm of Western management. Ollie and Alex from Germany, founders in 2000, myself taking over in 2004, supported by Ben (now owner operator of MeaCulpa Guesthouse) and finally Barbara, arriving in 2006.
In name only Little Garden Bar will continue. Alas it is now in the hands of strangers , and I have every reason to fear that the goals and aspirations that were dear to us will no longer be of any priority or significance.
Our mission was and still is to live alongside Khmer in harmony, learning from one another and sharing when we could with those less fortunate. We were successful in this aim. Our work ethic was above the norm and all our staff took benefit from this in many ways.
The owner Mr. Phon has now retired, quite rightly so, and I wish him" sumnang la or". His daughter and son- in- law on return from Texas U.S.A now run the show - don't let anyone tell you differently - and I have every reason to fear that what we have accomplished through compassion and tolerance is not and will not ever be part of the equation at LGB again. It is now for profit only.
I have witnessed first hand how returning financially secure Khmer Tom, with a total lack of empathy or compassion, mistreat their fellow countrymen, those less fortunate than themselves. The takeover at the end was hostile towards our staff and no respect was shown.
I do not intend to use this space to vent my anger or disappointment, or make a list for all to see of the many preserved wrongs done. I knew the risks and continued naively in the hope that compassion, mutual respect and cooperation would rule the day. Sadly this was not to be. Nor is this here to be “Norms Cambodian Confessions”, to err is human and my mistakes have been many. I am just attempting to bring closure to a very significant chapter in my life, and I owe it to those that shared my path and helped so selflessly to bring about change for the benefit of others less fortunate.
A quote.HDL
DHAMMA is, literally "THAT WHICH SUPPORTS". It is the truth within us. By practicing it and by bringing ourselves to accord with it, we can cross over the ocean of troubles and worries.
I try to practice this truth and I also fall constantly from the path, only to return time and time again to reevaluate my own truth within. Does that make sense? If not forgive for I am but a layman.
For those who browse this page I thank you , the links on this site are to grass roots causes run by like minded folk for no other reward than to give in a spirit of compassion sharing in the oneness of all living beings.They care and they care to share.
