Tourist Day

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7

Nowhere else would I have rather been than in the company of approximately fifty people all quietly watching the sun rise at 5am behind the grand pine cone shaped towers of Angkor Wat. I simply sat and listened to the symphony of sounds and calls from crickets, Myna birds, roosters, geckos and squirrels. This was a truly prayerful time.

Ta, our informative tour guide and friend of Narin, walked us through the temples, each with their unique architecture and history. The infamous Angkor Wat, built in the eleventh century, has a huge statue of Vishnu where the faithful visit to pray and give offerings. Ta Prohm temple, built 100 years prior to Angkor Wat, is famous for the massive trees that have altered the structure of the temple. Amazed by the power of the trees, one of my travel partners commented that nature always has the last laugh, no matter how skillful the workers or crafty the architects. The government is currently working to preserve what is left of Ta Prohm by removing potentially damaging trees and their roots. I was happy to learn that locals are invited to visit the temples free of charge and that some countries donate money for the preservation of the temples.

I was most struck by the many beautiful children and young people who were selling their wares. From postcards and fridge magnets to history DVDs and traditional string instruments, these young entrepreneurs had their English lines perfectly memorized to make a sale to a tourist. One young girl of ten years asked if I would buy postcards from her if she would tell me the name of Canada’s prime minister and capital city. Ta explained that many of these children attend school from 7am until noon so they have the remainder of the day free to sell things to help support their families.

by Reanne Lajeunesse