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| Angkor Wat at Sunrise |
So I suppose this is another occasion to excuse myself from the lack of blogging I have been doing (considering that this my first post again after two whole weeks). I assure you that (if you were concerned at all) I have been alive for this period and am very well indeed. If you find yourself unable to forgive my unforgivable absence - well, now it is time to forgive and forget with this blogtastic entry you are about to read.
The best kind of excuse is one in which the excuser has, although guilty, been spending a spectacular-magniferous time. Well truthfully the best excuses run along the lines of "I broke something" (something being perhaps a leg, a mug...) or "my dog has a very special homework diet". But for the purposes of this, the best of the BEST excuses is for spending a delightful and well-earned holiday.
These last two weekends, I have taken two rather spectacular holidays...
Destination 1: SINGAPORE
The date? 15th-20th September 2010. The reason? For doing my university application. A poignant moment? Arriving at 2am and eating a plate of cheese and strawberries.
Going back to Singapore was, surprising, quite a poignant experience for me just in general. Upon reaching my destination I was immediately struck by a feeling you wouldn't really expect at all. I've lived in Singapore for 9 years and so would consider it my close-second home to England. So why was turning the tap in a vertical direction so strange? The pressure of the shower - are the plumbing company trying to kill me? What is with the lack of motorcycles on the road, and why is it that, when I try to reduce the price to "moouy dollar" ($1) in the stores, I still have to pay the whole $20 on the tag?
The reason for this? Easy - I had been hit by a large dose of culture shock. I suppose it makes sense, after how comfortable I now feel in the PP house, but even so. Quite a strange experience.
I suppose what struck me the most about returning to Singapore was the indulgences that I immediately received - the comfy air-con cab, the un-chipped plates in the spotless kitchen and the overdose of perfect cuisine in the fridge. This reaction seems to be slamming the state of life that we live in Cambodia, that I'd prefer to have all those things back permanently. Yet of course, an even stranger feeling hit me. That I don't really need all those things, that I am perfectly happy surviving on the bare essentials. In some ways, even more so, now I'm making a difference and budgeting for my own living. Now that I am my own authority, I'm thriving with the feeling of responsibility.
Funny though - after Singapore for 9 years, I spend a month in Phnom Penh and I'm completely thrown off.
Destination 2: SIEM REAP
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| Awkward group photo at Ta Prohm (the tree temple) |
Angkor Wat was, naturally, incredible. I could lapse into an essay-ful of description, but a picture tells a thousand words, and I'm sure the ones throughout will convey it much better than I could.
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| Double AW! |
The day progressed from our 4am wake up call to our departure at 4pm, meaning that we spent almost 12 hours of temple madness in 3 different locations. My favourite would have to be Bayon - the detail of the architecture was incredible.
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| A montage of temple photos! |
We were guided through our "journey" (if you will) by a guide, who told us some amazing stories about the temples and statues. Lots of interesting historical and mythological facts. Most of the specific dates went in one ear and out the other, but a large portion of it I'm sure will stick. I feel like I'm advertising tour guides at Angkor Wat...but if you do happen to go, I'd recommend it. Otherwise it's just a bunch of (albeit, wonderful) buildings in the blazing hot sun.
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| Unfortunately the only evidence I have of our guide is the smudge at the top of the lens in this picture |
I sincerely hope you have enjoyed this latest blog experience - blogsperience even. But now, after just having taken the 6 hour bus ride back, a well-earned pizza awaits.
Adios muchachos,
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