Somewhere between eating cow brains, feeding a monkey, riding an elephant, wearing a pair of shorts on December 25th and dining on hand-made spring rolls in a fusty and humid market the true spirit of Christmas shone through.
I must take this opportunity to announce that I have found true love. I have fallen in love with Kampuchea, the country also known as Cambodia. From the minute we stepped off the airplane I knew it was love at first sight. The people in this country are the most incredible, kind and amiable on the planet. Mark my words, I will return to this country.
I don’t have much to write for this post. I’ll just let the photos and accompanying captions say it all.
The difference between the haves and the have-nots in Siem Reap is divided along the river. The tourist part of town is on one side of the river and the rest of Cambodia is on the other side.
A sunset on Christmas eve.
Sunrise over Angkor Wat on Christmas morning. We woke up at 4:30 am to see the sun illuminate the largest religious site on the planet and the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
Our youth hostel provided us with Santa hats and candy. They also made us a Christmas dinner complete with turkey and gravy. The very young Cambodian kitchen staff received a standing ovation (literally) for their first and very successful attempt at roasting a mighty fine bird.
Kelly and I visit an orphanage on Christmas Day. We handed out copious amounts of candy and gave away a few hackie sacks and other fun toys. This girl didn't want to let go no matter how hard we tried.
No Christmas would be complete without playing a few board games, so Kelly and I taught these two hostel workers how to play Kerplunk. Their smiles were as big as watermelon slices as they became enthralled in the game. A simple yet touching moment on our trip.
Kelly and I borrow some bikes from our hostel and took to the Cambodian countryside. The people here are genuinely happy to see you; not because you're foreign, but simply because they relish interacting with people who are members of the human-race. It was heart-wrenching to see people with so little, care so much, especially when one considers how much we in the West complain even though we have so (too) much.
Enlightened and inspired,
Ian
3 comments:
that is a mighty fine road shot, there at the bottom... mighty fine, indeed.
This was the BEST trip I have ever had. I'm glad we all did it. Khong Mun Choi Nue! LOL! Figure it out.
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