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Published: August 20th 2006
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7/27-7/30
Alex, Andrew and I arrived in Siem Reap by plane, early in the steamy hot morning. Our first task of finding accomodations that pleased all of us was challenging but we eventually found a clean room with air conditioning, which is all we can really aspire to these days. We were all really excited about seeing Cambodia since we have met so many people who have given rave reviews and I must agree that it proved to be the most eye opening place I have ever been.
We spent the first day exploring the city of Siem Reap. We could feel the change in culture immediately. The people are definitely more outgoing and chatty than the Loatians but the poverty is also quite visible. It took us aback to see so many dismembered victims of landmine explosions often looking for help. Any visitor to the area should be prepared to see difficult sights, but before long we learned that the positive attitude and outlook of most Cambodians is for a happy and peaceful future.
The Cambodian children are very enterprising (with outstanding English skills) and usually have postcards, bracelets, books, etc available for purchase. They have worked
Entrance to Bayon
Cambodia's got elephants... out fun games to bargain with the foreigners. For instance, if you want 10 postcards, and they can tell you your state capital or any country capital you test them on you pay $2 but if they get it wrong you only pay $1. Need I warn you their knowledge of geography is excellent and far superior to mine. Alex played a 2 out of 3 tick tack toe game with one memorable little boy and of course the little boy came out on the winning end of that deal. Throughout our stay in Cambodia we ran into tons of children urging us to buy goods from them and we all eventually found this exhausting. However, if we were able to distract them from pushing merchandise for a minute and start talking to them about riding bicycles or playing games they wound up being some of the sweetest and kind kids, even offering us presents after we were done talking.
Alex and I (Andrew wasn't feeling well) spent the rainy afternoon exploring the Landmine museum. The museum (which is really a couple of huts housing thousands of cleared mines) was our first glimpse of Cambodia's sad history and difficult
Monkeys near Angkor
Cambodia's got monkeys present circumstances. The mines that were laid in the 1970's are still laying dormaint and can (and do)explode for about 100 years. The man who opened the museum spent his childhood forced to lay mines under the Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese Army. He has since dedicated his adult life to clearing mines, educating the citizens of their dangers and helping the landmine survivors lead productive lives. We found him to be an inspirational man with a worthy cause. I was personally moved and if anyone is interested here are some websites to peruse.(www.cambodialandminemuseum.org or www.landmine-relief-fund.com)
The main attractions of the area are the enormous temples of Angkor, including the famous Angkor Wat which is the largest religious monument in the world.
We befriended a nice tuk-tuk driver named Bon to take us to and from the temples for the next 3 days since they are spread out over 40 miles (although we stuck to the major ones in the center). On a side note, we spent a good deal of time haggling over our $10 per day ride and in the end were bewildered to discover that Bon had the most advanced cellphone that any of us had
ever seen in the States (including an MP3 player, Video, Windows applications and every other advanced gadget available). Strange but true.
The temples were built between the 8th and 13th centuries and it is so difficult to imagine how they were able to create these masterpieces using simple tools and elephants for transport. Without question the temples were like nothing we have ever seen. The emense size, incredible architecture to minute,detailed carvings are just the beginning. It is hard to describe but hopefully the pictures give the idea. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it) we were able to walk, touch and climb every surface of the facade, so it really did help us visualize life at the time.
We spent most nights enjoying excellent local Khmer cuisine and when we weren't exploring we were shopping. Siem Reap has many markets to choose from and as always the only difficulty is my teeny tiny suitcase.
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