Next was Angkor Wat. It is a series of temples laid out to match the constellation Draco or the dragon (between the big and little dipper if anyone wants to find it). It was started about 1000 years ago but lines up with the constellation as it looked in 10,050 BC! Weird. There are dragon figures all over all of the temples. Many are being restored but some were left as is, with trees still engulfing the ruins in some parts. Many of the temples had huge faces carved in to the sides or towers. I was able to do yoga near the big temple of Angkor Wat at sunrise on the Vernal Equinox. Not bad. Enchanted forest feel, yes. Majestic temple feel, yes. If you have any more desire to figure out what I am talking about go, to google and type in Angkor Wat photos and you will see it all…
Well not all of it but that is why I am here. The other side of Angkor Wat involves Siem Reap the city just outside where everyone stays. At first we found friendly tuk tuk driver for very cheap prices. Then we realized they are all trying to rope you in to hiring them as your driver to the temple the next day. I don’t understand this whole tuk tuk brotherhood as we tried to hire our driver for the next day but he didn’t want to get up at sunrise so he sent his brother. Or at least the drivers outside of hotel that morning said he was the brother, but who knows. Oh well we got our ride. Apart from just rides there are folks all over the complex trying to sell guide books, postcards, jewelry, clothes, cold drinks, food and souvenirs of all shapes and sizes. They know all the scams and have heard all the lines a hundred times. So if you offer “I don’t know I will think about it and come back” they retort “You no come back, farang leave and never come back, I know”. Probably true but I still don’t want your black velvet and day glow green painting of, thanks.
The ultimate crazy story for me was the two girls that walked with us from the entrance of the temple across the street to the restaurant. Luckily street vendors are not allowed in either so we had a short break from the hassle. Before going in to the restaurant I told the girls I would think about it and maybe buy something. I did want postcards so I figured this was a fair enough answer. After breakfast the group of children had grown to nearly a dozen. We were actually scheming how to avoid them and tried to sneak out back but alas there was no exit. So we faced the music and walked right out the front. It took about 1 second for the girls to be back by our sides offering bracelets and postcards and laying it on thick. Eric even got “your girlfriend is beautiful she needs a beautiful bracelet”. I was offered postcards “look 10 nice cards 1, 2, 3, 4… this one you can’t take, this from the air” OK I wanted the cards so why not, I bought the postcards, but not the bracelets from these sweet girls outside of Angkor Wat… However they weren’t working together. This is every 10 year old girl for herself, so the girl with the bracelets was mad. “you say you buy, you no buy” Whatever I can’t buy from everyone. Then the pinnacle moment as I walked away the sweet girl looked at me with fire in her eyes and murmured “you fucking dog”. Well they do learn English don’t they.
Aside from the hassles outside the temples we had a great time in them. Some of the highlights were when we would sneak off the beaten track and meditate in a wonderful corner or by a tree growing over the ruins themselves. We took a back rout around one temple and the other side looked like the forgotten temple. A great place to explore.
Well that is part of my great adventure. Maybe soon I will be disciplined enough to sit in front of the computer long enough to write about the country I am actually in! Love love love to you.
-Alice