One tourist group consisted of monks - they were way more photogenic than everyone else.
At the heart of one temple...
Many historical monuments were destroyed by the brutal Khmer Rouge that controlled Cambodia in the late seventies, but they spared the Angkor temples. It has been heart-wrenching to see street vendors whose hands, according to signs on their carts, were cut off by the Khmer Rouge.
10 comments:
Glad you made it to Cambodia. Didn't realize that the Angkor region had so many temple areas. Exotic photos!
Now I'm really jealous, Karl! My grandparents went to Cambodia in 1955, before it was closed to the outside world. It always seemed like the ultimate in exotica.
I'm in Sydney now, joined by my mother and her boyfriend who just arrived from Bali. I'll show them your photos which they'll love.
Take good care and enjoy.
Jim
Hi Karl ~
Your journey is so rich! Cambodia! Wow! I love the 4th picture of the seated sculptures and how similar they are and yet they're looking in different directions!
Also, the last photo "at the heart of one temple" is SO evocative! My senses are engaged taking in this scene.
Thank you for sharing and I look forward to more!
Love,
MCHJ
Cool homie! how is it different than tailand?
Hey Tres - the main difference I've seen is a superficial one: Cambodia is a much poorer country than Thailand. For a traveler like myself that has advantages, though. Everything is more affordable, and I can get around here by renting a bicycle. This is the first place I've seen on this trip where lots of people ride bikes, and also the first place where being in the street on a bike doesn't seem insane due to traffic. One other thing: the temples show an interesting fusion between Hinduism and Buddhism.
Yo Karl! Wow Cambodia. The experience must be amazing but also somber given the poverty and deprivation the locals lived and continue to live through from the Khmer Rouge. I emailed you.
What about the food? You know if it were me I would have countless mundane pictures of food and markets. Have you been trying any interesting foods? Can't wait to hear I need some new recipe ideas!
fo sho whats cool about south east asia is they have the theravata bhuddist tradition which is more old school. the buddhism most californians think of is the chinese or tibetan kind which is more removed from the hindu roots.
I was raised going to a theravada monastery so angkor wat would be like my version of jerusalem or mecca...
the other spot is in myanmar if you make it there on this trip...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada_Buddhism
Do you feel the temples have some kind of essence or power in the architecture?
http://www.forestpractice.org/
Darrell - I've definitely been having some great food, the problem is that I don't know what the spices are! Everywhere I go cooks are using bottles of local sauces and the only English labels are "fish sauce" or "chili sauce..."
Tres - I do sense an essence or power in the architecture, largely because so many surfaces are covered by carvings that are very well preserved. It makes being there feel almost like going back in time - the imprint of the people that lived there is still very strong.
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