DEC 2010
As I sat on a crowded yet comfortable train, crossing the green fields of rural Thailand.I set out to travel across this very unknown country, i did not know what to expect.For most travelers ,Cambodia is only about Angkor Vat , however I wanted to see the Cambodia of today .I wanted to experience how people there live in 21st century rather than in the past .To accomplish this i traveled in three different modes of transportation ( train, bus , boat) and met people from diverse ages and professions.Like anyone with limited knowledge of country the following questions intrigued me
Walking in Cambodia why don't you ever see an old man ? Why is Cambodia the human trafficking capital of the world ?
From the glorious days of the Angkor empire to the most repressive regimes of POL POT, Cambodians have seen it all .As they recover,rebuild and reunite they maintain a tight balance between nationalistic pride and still be wary off the fanatic excessive nationalistic emotions that bought POL POT to power.
While the temples of Angkor are preserved as a reminemscence of the Golden age of Kampuchea , the killing fields are preserved to remember the lost generation of Cambodia. Angkor makes a Cambodian proud while the killing fields remind him not to take the freedom for granted .
In short it is its history that defines the path to its future.This is the inherent conundrum called Cambodia.
While Cambodia might have been lost among its better marketed tourist locations like Malaysia , Thailand but if you want to experience life in its most virgin form and rediscover yourself Cambodia is the place to be .
The four short stories that describe my experiences in Cambodia are in subsequent posts.
Temples of Angkor
Kids of ANGKOR-The Floating village
Killing fields
Good morning Pnom Phen
