Saving the Best for Last

Our new regional guide, Mr. Srey Omnoth, met Marsha, Taddy, and me at the Siem Reap International Airport, after a brief 45-minute flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. "Mr. Om" welcomed us with the now all-too familiar and oh-so welcomed broad smile and cheerful voice. Next winter we will stay in Siem Reap for about 3 weeks, the longest time we will spend in one place while in Cambodia. So it is perhaps a little ironic that during this planning trip, Siem Reap is our briefest visit. Luckily we were in the capable hands of Mr. Om, who planned our agenda to maximize our time. From the airport, we checked into our relaxing boutique hotel just outside of the downtown area in Siem Reap, planning to go to dinner downtown; however, the beautiful hotel and surrounds called us to stay on the property instead. We decided to visit the spa, which led to all of us getting traditional massages. Staying at the Hanuman Alaya was a treat for all five senses!

The next morning at 6 a.m., Mr. Om met us at the hotel and drove us the short distance to the temples (Wats) of Angkor. With an eye on the time, Mr. Om planned for us to visit three temples, in this order: Ta Prohm ("The Temple of Doom"), Angkor Wat, and Bayon. I've seen many photos of the Angkor temples, and they always are named as one of the must-see places in the world. The photos, while stunning, do not even come close to capturing the in-person experience. Because of the grey shades that predominate these ruins, photos miss the depth of the temple structures. Each of the three temples we visited was breathtaking in ways unique to each temple. Ta Prohm is said to be evidence of a place where nature has triumphed over man, Angkor Wat is the largest religious building in the world, and Bayon is said to be resplendent because of its eerie and enigmatic faces. Mr. Om pressed each of us to declare our favorite temple of the three. My favorite was Ta Prohm, but don't ask me to explain why it was so, because even in the moment, I could not. Marsha and Taddy listed Bayon as their favorite. All of us are looking forward to visiting many more temples when we return, and I look forward to spending a lot more time at each one. It also is sure to be more relaxing when the conditions are not so hot and humid; at times, Taddy and I were certain that we were about to melt! It was so very hot, and air conditioning was so rare.

After some cooling-down time, we headed to Life and Hope Association in downtown Siem Reap. Students, check out their website again at www.lifeandhopeangkor.org. This is the NGO for which we'll be working for two weeks. LAHA is only 7 years old, having been established by the monks of Wat Damnak. This was the only indigenous NGO we visited, and we love that their mission and work comes from within their own country. LAHA was founded and remains focused on Buddhist principles of peace, compassion, kindness, equality, and sharing. Their work is centered around improving the lives of disadvantaged people, including vulnerable children. Students, we will help to serve the association as they request, by providing, among other things, instruction in the English language. They ask that we approach our work there with caring hearts, abundant time and energy, and open minds. Their goal for us is that we leave LAHA with more than we came with and gave. Students, I am looking forward to working side-by-side with you at LAHA for the two weeks we'll be there. Everyone who signed up for our term abroad is service-oriented and learning-focused. You are the best -- and I hardly can wait to be there with you!