Cambodia. A place where even if you are lost in the middle of the jungle, a young woman would some how pop out of no where to sell you cold water, silk scarfs and t-shirts that read, "danger: mines." It is impossible to be thirsty and naked in Cambodia, which is what I have been striving for. I think that I finally have to give up on this dream.
When we first entered Phnom Penh about a week ago, it was the first time that I really experienced culture shock. I wasn't ready for the terrible history that followed this country, I wasn't ready to be bombarded by little children begging for money and candy, I wasn't ready for a man with one eye to chase me off my tuk tuk with his arm reached out and a hat flipped upside down ready to hold some money. I wasn't prepared to say, "no thank you" and go on with my day.
Some of the worst that Cambodia has experienced only happened about 30-40 years ago, when a group of people came into this country believing that they could change it by reversing the social class over night. This group of people, the Khmer Rouge, wanted a socialist/communist (call it what you will) country, and they went about doing this by killing all intellectuals and people in the government. They killed hundreds of thousands of people, and those that they didn't kill became workers in the fields. Everyone was moved out of the cities and forced to live and work in the outskirts. This supposed communist country, everyone is equal country, we support ourself country, was nothing that it claimed to be. The Khmer Rouge was killing so many people that they couldn't even finish killing people in one day, they had to begin making prison camps. The people who were working in the fields, they were maybe given one meal a day, while the rice that they were farming was exported for money. What happened here, not so long ago, is equal to what Hittler had created, but it never gained the recognition or the same amount of compassion that was given to the Jewish community.
I could probably continue writing for quite a while on Cambodia's depressing history, but I will stop there, and move on to a happier note... Siem Reip and Angkor Wat. After being in Phnom Penh I didn't think I would ever get over my feelings of guilt for being born lucky, I guess. But, I did a little investigating to see what the proper way to help those in need. Our first night in Siem Reip, Steve and I went to take a free meditation course run by and English woman and we got into a whole extravagant conversation about guilt, and the mind, and meditation, that I will not even go into detail about. Anyway, while along these lines, we talked about how to help those in need. This woman has now been living in Cambodia for about 3 years and she told me that she felt the same as I did and would continually give to the children begging on the street until she found out what happened after the begging... parents put their children out to beg to make money for them and the family. The parents give the children all the clever lines that they come up with. And, no, the money is not for school. They do not send their kids to school with the money, like they should. They continue to take the money for themselves and the "family." When young girls become to old to sell postcards and bracelets, their parents sell their bodies. Yes, they become prostitutes and I have seen quite a few with older white men. It makes me sick. I guess the moral of my story here is, don't give into the children trying to sell you things no matter how damn cute they are ( they really are the cutest. I now understand why angelina and brad adopted from cambodia)There are organizations called NGO's that are non-profit organizations that work to help all children be able to go to school. So, if you want to help, make a donation to an NGO or... if you want to get me a Christmas or birthday gift, don't bother, donate instead. I would love, love, love that!
Ok... really... happier note... Siem Riep, Angkor Wat, temples galore. For the last few days, Steve and I have been making ourselves at home in the little town of siem Reip. We rented bikes for 3 days and have been ridding them everywhere, including the crazy streets that have no traffic laws what so ever and to the far, far away temples. You pretty much just merge where you can and try not to get hit. It was hard to get used to at first, but now, it's fun. I love that about only 2% of the people drive cars, the rest drive motor bikes or ride bikes, so you can listen to a lot of different conversations while ridding down the street. I also love that my bike has a basket. The basket does have a whole in it, but I still love it. I've always wanted a cruiser bike with a basket. I feel so cute when I ride it, like I should be in a movie.
While ridding to the temples, I love every single woman screaming at me from the side of the road saying in the same monotone, yet somehow whinny voice, "Hey lady, you buys someting?" When you actually stop at these amazing and historic temples, a dozen kids run up to you, again trying to sell you postcards and bracelets and they are not (excuse my language) fucking around. These children will follow you for a good twenty minutes and they will not stop talking, even to catch their breath. They are going to cut a deal if it kills them. If you tell them you have no money, they don't buy it. "You have no money, you don't come here." They are bold. Yesterday, I tried a new technique. I now like to call myself the "cambodian child whisperer." Before they even get to me, I hold my hand up and say, "ssss." Just like Caesar Millan. It seems to work pretty well.
Today is our last day for seeing the temples and we are taking a tuk tuk (motor bike with a little cushioned, covered trailer attached to the back), and thank Buddah because after ridding about 13 or so miles everyday for the last 3 days in 95-100 degree weather, I don't think my butt nor the rest of my body could take much more. I will miss my bike with a basket, but it's going to feel so nice to have someone drive us around.
p.s. I am working on putting up pictures. The internet connection has not been too good. One day... one day...
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