28 years into my career I was “downsized” and unemployed for the first time. Yesterday I started my new job after 8 months. It is a nice step up and an incredible change of perspective. I missed my morning commute time with myself and my radio. This morning was mostly 80s tunes, not usual but enjoyable ❤ #yeg #nevergiveup #itsthelittlethings #50andlovingit #reemployed #siriusxm (at Edmonton, Alberta)
Today, June 28, I went to one last temple ruin outside of
Phnom Penh. TaPruhm is a 12th
century temple and it is located by Tonle Batay which is a popular weekend
getaway for city dwellers. Since it was
a Thursday, I was lucky to have the entire riverside to myself.
Unfortunately, I also had the temple to myself which meant
the children pestering for money descended on me and would not leave. If you don’t know, it is recommended that
tourists to do not give money to the children as it discourages them from going
to school. I past a few schools full of
children, so I do not doubt this. I gave
the usual offerings to Buddha and also gave to several elderly locals, but the
two girls didn’t stop bugging me the entire temple tour. I got some good pictures, paid my respects to
the temple and was out in about 15 minutes.
I spent about an hour sitting peacefully in the hut on the
river. My tuktuk driver sat with me and
we talked as best we could. His English is
not great but it is much better than my Khmer.
I made sure to compliment him for knowing what English he does.
I head home in three more days, ready or not. I will likely post some more of my Cambodia
adventures over the next month or so, to share and just to reminisce.
Sunday afternoon margarita at Phnom Penh’s newest (and best) Mexican restaurant ❤🍸#cambodiaeats #phnompenh #dosbesos #margarita (at Dos Besos)
Another delinquent Angkor post……
We visited the Baphuon (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបាពួន) temple June 4th. It was our first stop of the day.
I loved this temple.
When reading about it I learned that the temple I got to see has had
significant restoration. There are some
signs posted explaining some of the restorations that have been done.
This temple was constructed in the mid 11th
century (circa 1050s) Originally dedicated to the god Shiva, it was converted
in the mid 15th century to be a Buddhist temple. That is when the reclining buddha was built. Confession, when I first noticed the
roundness of that wall I thought it was because it was falling apart. Granted, I was walking around the corner and
couldn’t see the front of the wall yet.
I still felt a bit silly when I took in the full figure from the front.
At the top of the temple there was a small area set up for
offerings, so I left my riel, lit an incense stick and said a small prayer. It was very peaceful and, again, humbling.
I did some exploring on my own as Stephanie did not want to
scale the steps to the upper levels.
When I came back down I ventured off the beaten path, through a crumbled
doorway and took the selfie posted. I
mean, I bought a selfie stick, I had to use it a couple of times!
On my way back to the tuk-tuk I saw a monkey,
and then another, and then I realized they were all around me. They did not care about me one bit which made
it all the better. No begging, no fear,
just completely uncaring about the human cutting through their late morning
shade.
Today I visited Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a soul crushing monument to the horrors that took place in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. There is a room in the building shown in the second photo that welcomes graffiti. Today, shortly after my Twitter feed blew up because of the revolting verdict on the Philando Castile murder, I saw this on the wall of that room and I was further gutted. My heart breaks for his family and for my American friends. This is an ugly time for a great nation. I hope you come through it #S21 #remember #blacklivesmatter (at Phnom Penh)
Pre Rup (Khmer: ប្រាសាទប្រែរូប)
– a Hindu temple built as the state temple of Khmer king Rajendravarman. It was dedicated in 961 or early 962, so it
stood for over 1000 years before I was born.
This temple was the last one we visited. The views
captivated me, as did the entire structure.
When I read up on it I understood why.
It is truly ancient.
I walked around the base slowly before leaving, lingering
and savouring what I knew was my last Angkor temple. Nature even gave me several hundred mementos
to take away with me. In my wanderings,
I passed through some kind of weed that stuck so many seeds into my pants that
it took me four sittings and one washing to get them all (most) out. I think I will still be picking some out when
I put them on in Canada.
Note: when Khmer
people pronounce the word, they say Kmai – like Thai. So now I say it that way too
Taken June 2 2017 at Ta Prohm – the Tomb Raider temple, Siem
Reap
It was getting very hot at this point and this was our last
temple of the day. I was in awe of the
entire place. Nature had reclaimed so
much but the structure still dominates.
The mushrooms were growing along a crumbling wall. Ruins are scattered around but you can still
walk in and around much of it.
Construction on Ta Prohm began in 1186 AD, and I was walking
in, around and on it 831 years later!
Humbling and truly awe inspiring.
Originally known as
Rajavihara (Monastery of the King), Ta Prohm was a Buddhist temple dedicated to
the mother of King Jayavarman VII.
June 13 – went for a walk at lunch today. It seemed like a good idea at the time….. It wasn’t a long walk. 45 celsius is 113 fahrenheit. Or as I call it – hot AF
Oh, somebody was burning garbage too, at noon, in the sun, 45 celsius – Phnom Penh 🙂
June 9 – I meant to be more prolific with my posting but got carried away with my every day life in Phnom Penh. Today I was invited for a going away after work picnic in front of the Presidential Palace. I skipped the last going away gathering so I didn’t want to do that again.
It was a lovely picnic hosted by Dani, a young Scottish intern who is heading home for a bit. We had roast chicken, grilled fish, rice (of course) and finished with some crickets. I already had one cricket in Siem Reap – post of that visit coming – but these were more delectable. The garlic and chili seasoning made the crispy critters quite nummy. The only downside to cricket snacks is that the little legs tend to lodge between my teeth! But that won’t deter me.
The fruit was brought in to my office this afternoon and was so lovely I had to show you.
I can’t believe I go home in 3 weeks! Time has just flown by. This country continues to charm me and I will be so sad to leave it and my Cambodian friends.
I am in Cambodia as a pro-bono accountant (volunteering) working for Sahamkum Teang Tnaut, or STT as they go by. I have taken the following from their website to share
“Mission
To provide pro-poor technical assistance for housing and infrastructure and to inform dialogue and raise awareness about urban issues
Background
Phnom Penh based Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (‘STT’) was set up in September 2005 and officially registered with the Ministry of Interior in December 2006. ‘Teang Tnaut’ means ‘Sugar Palm Leaf’ in Khmer and is used for house construction, thatch roofs, sugar and packaging. This icon of the Cambodian landscape evokes a simplicity and usefulness which STT tries to reflect in its work with urban communities. From the outset STT has had a focus on infrastructure upgrading but over the past decade many communities have been impacted by development-related land alienation and evictions. Because of this STT has strengthened its research and advocacy to draw attention to a development policy that in Phnom Penh alone has led to 150,000 residents being displaced since 1990. By supporting genuine community complaints and grievances STT and its partners have been helping communities articulate their concerns to local and international media, donors and other NGOs & INGOs.”
I am very proud to be associated with STT, even in my small role.
If you are interested in reading about one particular example, google
Boeung Kak. Many were displaced, and STT works diligently to try to prevent more instances such as this. Another example is the White Building, which is going on presently
A Travelling Accountant 