Vietnam & Cambodia : $1 ATM Machines

    In Cambodia, there are $1 ATM machines. They are highly mobile units which require very little maintenance. They are also known as 'tourists' to the locals.  Every thing costs a buck.  It is such a small amount. Really, what is a dollar here and a dollar there?  Until you realize that you are now paying more for stuff here than back home. And a buck goes muuuuuuuucchh farther here.

deformed hands of silk businesswoman

    I mentioned in the first V&C postcard that Cambodians are not shy about their impecunious state. NGOs and NPOs [non government organizations and non profit organizations] have flooded into the country to help - including for the disabled, by birth or accident. The disabled are just shy of being seen as untouchables here and no social services are set up for them, so NGO assistance in setting up business opportunities goes a long way to help them achieve independence. Many people, including myself, have chosen to make our tourism dollars  really count by supporting such initiatives.  It doesn't make things cheaper...think Fair Trade items and their comparative prices...but I asked a lot of questions about the organization, the profit-sharing scheme and working conditions at the Heritage Handicrafts Fair that conveniently was held while I was in Siem Riep.  A true win-win-win situation was the reed weaving company based at a floating village.  Hyacinthe is choking the river, the villagers need employment. So the hyacinthe is harvested, processed and woven into beautiful baskets, mats, shoulder bags and the like and sold in the big cities. The NGO is helping them establish a business model.
     Don't know what a floating village is?  Stay tuned.