In about 30 minutes we will be heading to our next destination - the sandy, coastal shores of Sihanoukville. Looking back on our first two days seems like looking back on a few weeks. With the help of our guide we have explored so much of the province around Siem Reap - from a small and dusty local village where we saw traditional rice wine being made, to the peaceful and solemn ancient temples of Angkor and the hustle and bustle of the neon-lit Pub Street. It seems that everywhere we go our concepts and understandings of life and culture are challenged. Simple acts like walking or eating become infinitely more meaningful when you are walking down a lava stone path from the 11th century or local villagers are teaching you how to properly eat chicken brains.
As we eat breakfast each morning we "debrief" each other on things we notice, from the overwhelming qualities of hard work, respect and collectivism we see in the Cambodian people to the stark contrasts of the ancient and modern world we see around us. And we've noticed too how in just two days 12 complete strangers have become friends.
To be continued...
- Jacob Manley
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