Cambodia Catch

Fishing in the Mud, originally uploaded by shuebox.

Travel journals seem to be the only time I spend updating you on my experience abroad, yet originally this was suppose to be a written account of my time in China.  Oh well.  You are still entertained, I hope.

Cambodia is the home of the Toyota Camry brigade and the unofficial US currency branch.  If you ever wonder why an ATM back home lacks sufficient funds, it is because there are too many Andrew Jackson’s (20USD bills) floating around here; same with the shortage of Camry's back home too.
Beyond the motorcycle driving, minimally road-paved country with more human spirit than Buddha himself, is the horrific Khmer Rouge genocide and the splendor of Angkor Wat, the 11th Century tribute to the kingdom, reigning over most of South East Asia.  Quite a mouthful.

I start my trekking in Battambang...

..where few tourist venture and the town is sparsely held together with run down alley ways and rebar protruding from the nearly rubble buildings. Here I took a day trip to the temples and countryside by motorbike (the only way to travel). There is something very carefree about riding on the back of a motorbike enjoying free air conditioning and not hanging on (forget the helmet laws). Along the way there are kids fishing in the muddy puddles that soon will dry up as the winter sets in. Kids waste high in mud using their fingers as rakes for 3-inch long fish. A good catch is 5-7 fish/day.

Ankor Wat was more than I expected. The reign of the 10-12th Century from Myanmar to Vietnam originates from Siem Reap (the location of the Temples). There are over 100 temples and they each represent the contribution of the king’s legacy to Hindu or Buddhist gods, depending on the king's preference. The carvings of Apsara's (heavenly dancing women), battles and gods are plainly displayed, even touchable. My favorite is Ta Phrom temple where the jungle is taking back the structure, one brick at a time. Overgrown trees weigh down the exterior and will soon destroy the aging temple. Nature is quite powerful.

In Phenom Phen, the most profound experience is at the Choeng Uk killing fields and S-21 prison where the Khmer Rouge persecuted thousands of perceived political dissents. The Khmer Rouge represents the most tragic Civil War where the government wanted to cleanse the country of scholars, the educated class, government officials in order to create a peasant culture. The killing fields outside of Phnom Phen contain roughly 17000 Cambodians in mass shallow graves; visiable bones and clothes protrude above the earth. The haphazard graves form large craters from the already decayed bodies. An erie and moving experience, to think about the many scared bodies laying beneath. It made me realize that anyone older than me (26) was alive when the mass extermination happened; in fact most Cambodian families have casualties to attest to the brutal Khmer Rouge years.

So this has been a mixed trip of heavy, thought provoking, breadth taking, insightful and depressing experiences times. I am currently reading First They Killed my Father by Ung; she recounts her experience during the Khmer Rouge. There are so many copied books on the Civil War here.
My next destination is Vietnam where I am sure I will find my way to the War Museum, little food stalls, eat the French influence (baguettes are everywhere) and have some time to soak up the warmth.

Comments

[kitty]

It was so busy that I nearly cannot controul myself. I have a holiday now,but I donot kown what should I do?I should pass TEM-4,but I am worried about it .Oh ,I am crazy .How about you,shannon.Are you happy everyday?Did you have a wonderful holiday?We meet you very much.

KITTY, I KNOW IT IS GETTING STRESSFUL FOR ALL THE 3RD YEAR STUDENTS. THINGS ARE BEGINNING TO GET CLOSE TO THE END OF YOUR FOUR YEARS AND THERE IS SO MUCH PREPARATION NEEDED TO DO. TAKE THINGS ONE AT A TIME, DON'T GET OVERWHELMPED. YOU WILL BE FINE.