SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Thursday, May 13, 2004
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Start-up woes, etc., nth day at Phnom Penh
Somehow, I must really have underestimated the language barrier. I initially planned to conduct my training-workshops in English but as days passed, I am getting convinced of the difficulty in doing that. We had our regular meeting with our 2 counterparts from the ministry where we are stationed and as usual, my colleague (who speaks Khmer) ended up translating all the time. We have to translate our letters, agenda, powerpoint slides into the local language. Our project funds do not include an item for translation and we must look into the possibility of requesting for additional funds if we can't tap in-house talents. This is quite a setback for us, especially during the training-workshops as gender-responsive budgeting is quite a technical matter.
I saw one taxi earlier on my way to work. I was told that taxis are not allowed to enter Phnom Penh and they are mostly used (with mini-busses) for travelling outside Phnom Penh. Apparently, there is great concern that the motodup business will be adversely affected and/or traffic will worsen in the capital if these taxis are allowed to extend its route here. Oh well.
Gloria Arroyo is ahead as of tonight based on the unofficial quickcount, overtaking FPJ, and the rest are way too far behind. I wasn't able to vote as I wasn't able to register here. I could have casted my vote had I been in Manila 3 days ago. Nevertheless, I never intended to vote for Arroyo. But as things are beginning to shape up, between her and FPJ... arrggh... I wish we had more choices available as if looking from a thick restaurant menu or something.
posted by Allan at 6:51 PM (GMT+8)
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