I know it’s tough to fathom ‘how I can possibly be taking another break away from my holidays already’. Let me tell you, terms abroad are not just a walk in the park… it is more of a distraction trying to focus on school with the beach a 15 minute walk away, countries lining Thailand just waiting to be visited and the markets upon markets the second you leave your front door step.
It takes energy, an open heart and a hell of a lot of patience to be able to take part in a term abroad. I think myself and many others picture this experience to be paradise. Studying in a tropical climate, next to the beach, what could be better?
Well… through the ups and downs of my Thailand experience thus far, if there is one thing I have learned which I should have learned years ago… it is how much I respect, appreciate and love my family and friends. How is it that I ended up laying here cooped up in bed waiting for the moment I get to un-board that airplane at the Toronto airport, looking at my mom (and hopefully the rest of my family) from a distance and just knowing that I’m finally home, safe, sound and loved.
If there is one thing to note about Thai families, it’s that they work together, they eat together, they do everything together. This is a lifestyle that has completely diminished from our ‘Western Culture’. 3 years ago, maybe even 2 years ago I would have thought to myself ‘well thank the lord I have the freedom to run off, party with my friends in the middle of the night and go to work so I don’t have to put up with my crazy family today’. Today, while I’m sitting here in Thailand, I would give anything to have this family lifestyle in Canada. I would love to visit my mom at work, learn all about the things she’s teaching the students and the rough days she has. I would love to wake up early to make my entire family breakfast – ‘Mommy McMuffins’ and our special recipe pancakes. Why did I never realize this before?
I don’t have anything bad to say about the ups and downs of traveling – I mean, sure.. there are always going to be those moments where you wish you had of planned better so you weren’t caught in the rain, or so you didn’t miss the bus… but overall, with every bad experience comes new insight and gained knowledge.
So, though it hasn’t been the easiest trip of my life, if there is one thing I have learned, it’s to love my family more, show them how much they mean to me and be there for them every step of the way. I have the most incredible family – my stud of a brother who some how managed to take a full 360 turn into this handsome man, studying art in college, with a passion to be a tattoo artist and has now taken part in some modelling on the side. He is the brightest, funniest boy I know and any woman would be lucky to have such an amazing man by their side.
My sister, who just turned 24 and has a baby of her own is the most incredible mother, her incredible smile and amazing personality always lights up the room. I miss being able to have her there whenever I needed her, staying up late watching movies on Christmas Eve or telling her funny stories about the things we didn’t want to tell dad.
My mom… no matter what hour of the day, she is always there for me. I never thought that a silly video of me high as a kite after getting my wisdom teeth out with my mom giggling by my side wiping the blood from my mouth would be the one thing I hold on to, to make me smile when I’m home sick or sad. My mom is the most caring, loving, warm-hearted individual on this entire planet. If I had all the money I started with on this trip, I would have used it to fly back home for a week rather than spending it on countless trips to the beach, bars and hotels.
What I would give right this moment to hop on a plane just for one week to see my entire family.
I know that’s not quite the introduction into ‘The Kingdom Of Cambodia’ that you expected. So here she is:
Cambodia? What do I think of it?
I loved Cambodia, every inch of the thick red soil, every smiling face I passed by, all the vendors and tuk tuk drivers harassing you after every step you take. When I looked around me on the streets in Siem Reap, I see tourists screaming in their faces saying “leave me alone” or “piss off”… is this how you want to be treated?
I think what people don’t realize is that yes, you might be a bartender or a retail clerk back in your home town, but it’s different here. You are in Cambodia. You are a guest. You chose to come to this country so treat the people with some god damn respect.
I am tired of seeing tourists mis-treat the locals because they think they are some kind of wonderful. I’m sorry, you are a tourist, who may be giving money to the Cambodian economy, but you sure aren’t making their sanity any better. You are the reason they are begging for money. You are the reason there are ten year old boys running around with 1 week old babies asking for ‘milk’ or money.
The Kingdom of Cambodia, when you can respect it for what it is worth is absolutely beautiful. These people have huge hearts and huge smiles. If anyone took a moment to stop and talk to one of the tuk-tuk drivers asking to take you around instead of slamming the door in their face you would realize that these Khmer people are incredible people. They have a lovely sense of humor and quite the charm.
While I spent 5 days and 4 nights in Cambodia with Angela and Kirsty, we visited the markets (Night Market, Old Market, Art Market), Pub Street, the Angkor Wat temples and the ACODO Orphanage in Siem Reap.
I think out of all the countries I have visited, Cambodia was the one country I went into without being dismayed thinking ‘this is not what I expected’. It was exactly what I expected and that’s what I loved about it.
I could tell you about the night markets, but they were average night markets. Most of the stuff similar to Thailand markets with a few exceptions here and there (like the rice spirits – 32% alcohol with flavors like banana, black sticky rice or mushroom).
I could also tell you about the Angkor Wat temples but that is easy enough to Google on your own. The temples themselves were beautiful. Angkor Wat is heavily over-rated, though a true wonder of the world, the number of tourists trampling on the grounds everyday takes the true beauty out of the ruins. Bayon temple was my favorite, the designs were intricate and the faces on the temple, faces upon faces, were built to represent a mix of the Indian gods and the Buddhas. Absolutely stunning.
What I really want to talk about is my experience with the orphanage. I know many people at some point in time thought about sponsoring a child from an underdeveloped country, but most don’t get around to it. My thought was that although I would love to sponsor a child from a place like Africa or Cambodia, I would love to get to know them and get to know the organization before I actually dedicated a portion of my income to this child. I have been to Peru, South Africa, Caymen Islands, Jamaica, Thailand, Hong Kong and Cambodia and the children in Cambodia stood out to me more than any other. These kids are so full of life and hope, they are taught to show dance and talent in order to raise money for the ACODO (http://www.acodo.org/) orphanage. Each one of them had a story, a reason why they were there, but looking into theirs eyes and seeing their smiles, you would never have guessed.
These children were amazingly talented and all carried quite the sense of humor. Sarhun (spelling may be wrong) was a bright little girl, 12 years old who showed me around and kept me well entertained while I was at the orphanage. There was also Chena who I swear to you could make a beautiful Miss Universe one day, or Sovy who is one of the oldest and who is an inspiration to all the children there.
Now that I have experienced ACODO and what they have to offer these children, there is no doubt in my mind that I would love to help take part in this orphanage in any way I can. These children are a miracle to this world and they can put a smile on anyone’s face with their traditional Khmer dances, the monkey dance or just seeing them play in the yard with each other without a care in the world.
Besides the trip to Cambodia itself, the transit there and back is also something to blog about. Have you ever crossed a border by foot? Don’t. It’s long, hot and exhausting with luggage attached to you while you’re dripping sweat in 40 degree weather waiting to pass through the Thailand departure and the Cambodian arrival offices. It is a full day of travel. Siem Reap was about 2.5 hours from the border and from Bangkok to the Cambodian border was about 6.5 hours by train.
However, for 48 baht (less than 2 dollars) you can get a seat on an open style train – no glass in the windows just the fresh air blowing your hair in the wind. It was beautiful.
I have been to many countries and have thought about going back but I never got the immediate urge to return. This feeling came on me when I arrived back in Thailand from Cambodia. I need to go back again. I plan on taking another adventure back to Cambodia at some point with the people I love.
With less than 49 days on the countdown until I arrive back in Canada, I am anxiously awaiting my return.
I will soon be a Brock University Sport Management graduate ready to take on the world.
Ps. Happy St.Patrick’s Day!
Looking for tips on Thailand travel instead? Check out my previous posts:
– 10 Secret Must Do’s in Bangkok
– The Full Moon Party Experience
– Relaxing Destinations in Thailand
