My Cambodian Experience

Asia » Cambodia
January 2nd 2009

Published: January 6th 2009

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ElleB

S21

Genocide Museum where thousands of Khmer people were held and tortured before being killed

I recently travelled to Cambodia on a field trip with Victoria University as I major in tourism management. Our group consisted of sixteen members, it was a trip to be remembered for all of us.

The experience for me was mind blowing and my emotions were constantly being toyed with.
I loved every minute of the trip. Siem Reap, there is so much culture and history to be explored, not to leave out the breathtaking scenery. To the hussel and bussel in the streets of Phnom Penh where everything moves at a fast speed and not to leave out interacting with the most beautiful, humble people of Cambodia and the adorable children that surround you as your walking through the streets.

The memory that remains so clear in my mind was how happy, pleasant and cheeky the Khmer people were when they had next to nothing and were happy to live off one dollar a day. Comparing my lifestyle to theirs made me realize what I could live without and what really makes me happy. Khmer people are so committed to their families and their values; they spend just about every minute together. I also realized how lucky I

Tuk Tuk Cruising

The best and cheapest way to get around Cambodia...lots of fun aswell!!

was to live in Australia in a house with four walls and a roof but it doesn’t matter how big or small or how magnificent the house maybe, I’m just lucky to have a roof over my head as close to half the population of Cambodia live on the streets or in shacks we would not call a home. It made me feel guilty, but looking around Cambodia sure there is still a lot of poverty, but most Khmer people are content with how they live and just live everyday with a smile on their face.

Cambodia, to me, was a real culture shock and I enjoyed every minute I was there. I laughed with the children, I felt saddened by the poverty and horrific history that Cambodia had to overcome, and I learnt firsthand the history of Cambodia and their culture. I will defiantly be revisiting Cambodia in the future and I encourage anyone else that is thinking of travelling to Southeast Asia to do so as well.

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