At first, it's hard to see the beauty of Cambodia. Landing at Phnom Penh International Airport and getting into a Tuk-Tuk on the way to your house, apartment, hotel or guesthouse. The ride is bumpy, dusty, loud and life threatening at time. Hopefully you end up at your destination with all your belongings still in your possession. The sights along the way are wonderous and almost indescribable. From 6 people fit on one moto, to a moto with a plethora of live chickens hanging upside down to beggars on the side of the road (some selling flowers and others just begging).
Walking around the city, you'll see colonial buildings with beautiful architecture next to shacks that are 10' by 10' and house 10+ people. Markets hustling and bustling with locals buying their daily ration of vegetables, walking around heaps garbage left because the garbage collectors have been on strike for a few weeks.
Why, then, you might ask, is it the most beautiful place one Earth?
Simple, it's the people. The nicest people you've ever met. The strength that they show, rebuilding their nation after the devistating Khmer Rouge regime, and the smiles they have for everyone. A helpful spirit that shows in their everyday actions, from pushing stuck buses off the road to giving alms to the monks, even though they hardly have enough to eat themselves, to stopping traffic to let the elderly pass the road. Old men that invite barangs (western people) to drink with them, even though there's hardly a common language.
I have struggled when trying to write about Cambodia because it's such a beautiful and heartbreaking place. The beaches and historical sights are unbelievable.
It's all an amazing experience that I just sit and wonder at how I am lucky enough to live here. There are amazing people here, from the local Khmer to the Barangs I call my friends.
The hardest part about writing this is just getting started so hopefully we'll see more of these posts about my experiences around the country and Southeast Asia in general. :)
