Friday, November 4, 2016

and Life Goes on

The Khmer people have been to hell and back, enduring years of carnage and
poverty under rickety laws. Despite this, their resilient spirit and optimism have
triumphed and they continue their life conveying their warm and generous smiles.
My admiration and fondness for the citizens of this kingdom is immeasurable.

"You may not control all the events that happen to you,
but you can decide not to be reduced by them"

- Maya Angelou

Khmer farmers with their precious Brahman cows

One of my most cherished highlights in Cambodia was our homestay in Sambor Prei Kuk. 

Our large room upstairs from our host family's main living area was fresh and spacious.
Each floor mattress quaintly arranged side by side, was made up with clean linen, a thin cotton bath towel neatly folded and a mosquito net suspended overhead. Our shared basic bathroom was also clean and adequate for what we needed for the night.

Our beds made up for the night - photo by co-traveller Corinna.

The family were typically cheerful and easy to interact with as they could speak and understand basic English quite well.

The meals prepared for dinner and breakfast from fresh local produce, was delicious and plentiful. With a variety of dishes to indulge in, all 14 of us left the table feeling extremely full and satisfied.

Our Home Stay in Sambo Prei Kuk

Within the Sambor Prei Kuk village, we also had the privilege of interacting with the children of the nearby school, helping to revise their English word charts, chatting about their interests, playing in the sand with the little ones and joining in the older children's much loved game of football.

Playing soccer with the kids at a village school
in Sambor Prei Kuk - video by Terry

Quite often, we'd stop along the roadside to purchased Kralan for 1USD. The delicious traditional combination of steamed rice, soy beans and coconut milk is stuffed into bamboo and cooked on hot coals to perfection. I treated myself to quite a few of these tasty, nutritious snacks to go. 

Young lady cooking and selling Kralan along the roadside.


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