Cambodia.1997. Watercolor. 15x8 cm

I studied this quiet corner of the coastal Provence of Kompong Som. Sitting in the same place at the same time watching as first light creeps across the sky.
I was living at Sams' place. She told of surviving the Khmer Rouge time. Her father was executed for being a teacher. At about eight years old she cared for her mother, infant sister and baby brother. She managed to get a piglet that she raised by herself, sleeping and foraging with it. Her brother died. Sam sold the pig when it was grown and bought food medicine and two more piglets. Later she bought a shortwave radio and learned English from Voice of America.
Everyone except for the children had a story of the 'KR' time. I would drink beer in the evenings with former child soldiers, using pencil sketches and gesticulations to surmount the language barrier. As a parting gift I bought a piglet for Sam. The whole street seemed to be there to wish me off.
The people in this house would visit in the afternoon and very politely ask to see my pictures. I passed the down from the veranda and would glimpse the paper being passed from hand to hand all along the street. The would be returned unmarked with much respectful approval.
An awful lot of hanging around in the shade was done at this house.