Last Day in Cambodia

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Day 3 Siem Reap at “Leisure/Legenhausen Style”
Although our tour group is off today we’ve decided to begin the day by Tuk Tuk (motor bike drawn rickshaws) with a trip to the Artisan’s Institute, founded by the French, supported by the EU and now financially independent. Hundreds of war orphans (many handicapped by their experiences) are tested for the motivation and talent when thy become 18 years old. Selected students will apprentice under master craftsmen for up to seven years in sandstone carving, wood/plaster sculpture painting, lacquer ware, or silk painting. Subsequently, a visit to the War Museum was a sobering experience. Good news … we’ve found a Cambodian flag for school.
We meet four of our companions for luncheon at a local restaurant for a filling/fulfilling meal! We find ourselves replicating the local custom of a bow over hands folded heavenward as a gesture of respect, greeting, and thanks. When in Rome … Doug and I are off once again by Tuk Tuk to the Central and Old open air markets. This is a labor of love for him … and although I’m not much of a shopper we found a few surprises for the folks back home and one very unique tool to add to Doug’s collection. Doug’s criteria for gift purchase … flat and light! I particularly enjoyed wandering through the food stalls (once I got over the lack of sanitation). Whew, vacationing is “arduous work” so we stop at Raffel’s once again for a light Khmer/Cambodian tea - simply elegant!
Tonight we’ll be treated to Aspara dancing, an art form here, that may characterize Western expectations

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Photos

Aspara Dancers
The story's all in the hands!

Lotus Blossoms Folded by Experts
Our work was not quite ready for prime time ... but you get the idea of how beautiful this artform can be!