Cambodia and Thailand..
Ok so I have recently been on short and quick trip to Cambodia and Thailand. And I have got to say, I am very much taken by the history, culture and people of Cambodia. The recent history of the nation is dark and grim. I learnt that an entire generation was wiped out in a so-called cultural revolution in the most inhuman way. It is something very hard to fathom, I hardly noticed many old people around the city. And before that the country was invaded by foreigners (plural), and so its people have known nothing but war for a long time. But my heart goes out to the common people. To me they seemed strong willed and determined to make it through and unadulterated despite all that surrounds them, inspirational stuff. What they need the most is simply a fair go.
The place is certainly not for the faint hearted, and yet so many western tourists come there primarily since it is so cheap.. But I could never get used to it. Sure there are plenty of nice hotels to stay in and air-conditioned buses and taxis to take you around, but how do you get used to being surrounded by 8-to-10 year old kids trying to sell you a book or a souvenir or a t-shirt for five dollars? And when you say you don’t need it now, they make you promise the only way a child knows how to, that when you do, you’ll buy form them. I could never get used to this because these children should be playing soccer in the fields and learning maths in schools at those hours of the day. Not trying to earn a living. How can anyone holiday in the midst of such realities.
I met a guy in one of the temples I was visiting who started showing us around. And when we asked him what he would charge, he said he will accept anything we offer. He needs the money so he can pay his teacher and go to school. The teachers charge a daily rate. He is learning history and English. Who can blame the teachers though, the measly salary that they get paid is not enough. I learnt later that they charge about 1 or 2 dollars a day per student.
I felt compelled to do something, to understand the root cause, but the problems seemed insurmountable to even begin to comprehend.
There is also another side to Cambodia why tourist flock there, and that is for its temples. Will document this later..
