Cambodia: Part 1

A few days ago we crossed the border, cleared immigration and entered the Kingdom of Cambodia: it was like traveling back in time 80 years. Suddenly the roads were unpaved and bumpy. Clouds of dust from the wheels of cares ahead obscured my view out of the front windshield. We bounced along for a couple hours, stopped to stretch and drink, then continued on for another two hours before reaching our destination: Siem Reap.

I cannot explain in words what goes through your mind when you first witness a way of life so far removed from your own that you feel as though you have stepped into a movie; that it can't possibly be real, but it is. Naked children swimming in the muddy water along the sides of the dirt road, houses on stilts to beat floods, dried rice patty fields, strange cobbled together vehicles bouncing along the road--it was simply staggering.

When we arrived in the city center at our guest house, it was late in the evening and we all decided to go out for dinner together--which was quite tasty. We hit the sack early that night in preparation for the next day, yesterday--we would be getting up at 5am in order to get to Angkor Wat in time for the sunrise. I was afraid I might have to do this on my own, I wanted to get a few photos, but the rest of the group had the same idea and eagerly suggested it before I could even open my mouth. Great bunch, my group.

We got to the temple before sunrise. So did about 100 other folks looking for the same experience. Even in the dark, this temple was one of the most impressive structures I had ever seen. As the sun rose and the sky began to shift into the soft hues of an Angkor sunrise, I smiled as I heard the shutters snapping away around me. I didn't care if I was there with a ton of other people, or that I might be taking the same shot as the guy next to me. We had all come there to share in the same moment, and that was exactly what happened. It really was something special and I hope that all of you guys can maybe have that same opportunity.

After the sunrise we moved into the temple and began exploring. About 2.5 hours later, I had had my, and my memory card's, fill of the massive temple complex and headed back out to meet up with the rest of the group, who were waiting for me at one of the local restaurants. Angkor Wat is a testament to human achievement and capability. The shear size of the complex and the amount of detail contained within it are something that is lost on words.

I am expecting a very important phone call in a few minutes from a very special girl so I must run, but I will be writing more and hopefully posting photos ASAP.