A hard lesson in non-attachment

Way to spin a positive after the most precious thing to a wandering traveler - the camera, rather, the photos. I had a miserable night last night with a lot of unfriendly feeling towards the poor children all wandering around. My first reaction was too just get the hell out of this country. You cannot possibly believe the level of poverty in Cambodia. I'm sure there are poorer places, but not too many dirtier and more unwelcoming; though, I suppose this is a biased opinion after I was robbed. In one sense the dire destitute of the people hits you immediately, especially driving from the the border town of Poi Pet to Siem Reap. Tatyana had warned me about driving this road, what can I say, she was right! But I was already by the border, so thought it was best to shave time by not doubling back.

Anyway, I had transfered some photos to Yung's computer back in Singapore, so at least those few photos are intact. The rest are completely gone, perhaps I can rely on the ones Alex took while in Ayuthaya. Even so, I had the super high resolution camera with the fancy settings so it's really a pity. Some of the photos I could have published as posters.....sigh.

After debating long and hard, I resigned to try to find a camera in town. There is only one camera shop, and they know it. I basically got financially taken today... but what are the alternatives? Ended up going to see Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, Bayon, the elephant terrance, and climbed the famous hill in the end to see the sunset. The Khmer ruins are all they've been rumored to be... it's unfortuate that the tourist industry as totally commodified this serenely sacred place. Ten years ago, one could have really enjoyed the temple grounds and sit to reflect. Now, it's just way too overcrowded with people. The entire city of Siem Reap has literally "reaped" hundreds of millions from the lure of the temples. There is now an entire strip of glittering hotel on the main road that would have been unimaginable ten years ago. All said, I got some absolutely stunning shots, but still not the same with all the rest from two days ago taken at the edge of Thailand. I would totally take another trip to Thailand just to get the chance at the photos again.

From inside the majestic Angkor Wat complex dating back to the 11th century.

In front of some Ankorian reliefs.

This is Bayon Temple inside Angkor Thom city walls. It is unbelievably beautiful and awe-inspiring.

These monks stopped to have a converstion with me atop Bayon.

Grave of the fallen ruin blocks.

Lastly, Siem Reap happens to be in the middle of some 3 day festival on the river where a whole lot of people from the countryside have flocked here to light a candle and float it down the river. Traffic here is unbelievably congested and the air is horrible. There is no rule of law, traffic situation has deteriorated with each country I've passed through in Asia. This can not be a good sign, at least I hope it's not a trend.

Aside from the border experience, or despite that, the two Cambodian fellows I've met here are genuinely decent human beings. Just a little token thought I'll remind myself with.