ONE DAY AGO: Saturday, January 7, 2012
Waking up at 4:50 AM isn’t typically something I anticipate to be a good time, but when I heard the hard knock on my door this morning telling me that it was time to wake up, I was quick to jump into a new pair of clothes and race down to the van. When we arrived to our destination it was still dark, but the ground was flooded with small cell phone lights from hundreds of tourist looking to see the sun rise over the ancient temple of Angkor Wat. Spectacular would be an understatement when describing what we experienced today. We watched as the sun slowly lit up the jungle surrounding the ancient temples then spent the morning exploring Angkor Wat, The Bayon, and Ta Prohm.
Of the three temples, Ta Prohm was my favorite. About half of us took off barefoot exploring every crack and crevice of the temple, looking for the ideal place to do journaling. Seeing the tree’s roots wrap around giant blocks that used to hold up the ruins was not just beautiful or awe-inspiring; it gave me a tangible connection to this country’s history.
After spending a long morning exploring temples, we were all beginning to feel the consequences of waking up so early. I’m not going to lie: if you asked me at noon whether i’d like to go to the hotel and sleep or visit a small village to watch a music class, I would have chosen the first option. Nonetheless, when we arrived at the village and were swarmed with children saying hello and showering us with whatever flowers they found close by, our attitudes quickly changed from wanting to go sleep to never wanting to leave the village at all. It was fantastic to see such young children show so much skill and interest at playing the classical Cambodian wedding music. After watching the group rehearse a few songs and getting a quick lesson on how the instruments are made, Mia, Martel, and I played a quick game of volleyball with two of the boys living in the village....Those boys were good!
I think it’s safe to say that we were all expecting to do new things when in Cambodia, but I had no idea that would entail exploring temples barefoot and playing volleyball with village children. It’s these small experiences, however, that are making this trip as a whole have such a profound impact on me. The people and places we saw today are what make this country so unique and genuine. Of all the things we experienced today, I think that seeing how far back their history and culture go, and how it still relates so closely to everyday Cambodian life, has been one of the most mind-boggling.
~Maddie
Thank you Maddie for your vivid descriptions and your very mature thoughts and observations. The fact that you can relate to and appreciate the sights you have seen, the history you have learned, and the people you have met in a country that is halfway around the world and very different from your life experience - this gives me a bit of hope that there can some day exist a world where all - well, at least MORE people live with mutual respect and harmony.
ReplyDeleteThis is Jeff's dad, Jon Dyer. When we visited Jeff in Cambodia,the day we visited Ankor Wat, we too left early in the morning, before light. It was the only time I felt cold in Cambodia. The first temple we visited was Ta Prohm and it was just becoming light. You are right, the way the jungle and the tree roots are encroaching on the ruins of the temple is 'awe-inspiring'. It is my strongest memory of Cambodia.
ReplyDeleteI would have chosen the first option. Nonetheless, when we arrived at the village and were swarmed with children saying hello and showering us with whatever flowers they found close by, our attitudes quickly changed from wanting to go sleep to never wanting to leave the village at all.Moldavia
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