APAD 168: A Buddhist shrine
Somewhere in the thick forest of the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park in Siem Reap stands this Buddhist shrine. Although the shrine is not as old as the Angkor Wat and other temples inside the complex, a lot of visitors come to pray and bring offerings, most especially the locals.
An elderly achar, or a layman, comes to the shrine everyday to keep it maintained, making sure that the place is clean, the offerings and flowers brought by visitors are arranged well, and that incense sticks continuously burn at the altar. When he is not busy doing his chores, or, upon special request, the achar entertains his visitors by reading their palms and telling their future. Pleased visitors leave him some amount as donation.
When I visited the temple again about two years ago, I saw the achar hunched and picking up dead, fallen leaves. I lingered for a bit and engaged him in a chat. He is not usually alone, he told me. Every afternoon, the elders – his neighbours – that live in the area come by after their siesta to keep him company. Sometimes his young grandchildren also come by, bring him snacks and hangout with him, too. I wanted to ask him some more, about why he continues to do this unpaid work despite his age… about what he thinks about the changes that the ancient temples had undergone… but a new batch of visitors came and he was on his merry way to greet them. I didn’t even get the chance to take his photo. Maybe next time.
If you happen to visit Angkor Wat, please try and visit the shrine. The achar would love to meet a new friend.
More Mellow Yellow Monday entries here (please click logo):
APAD 164: Cambodia celebrates Pchum Ben Festival
Today, 26th of September, until Wednesday,the 28th, are the official dates for Pchum Ben this year. is the Pchum Ben Festival is the time, according to Buddhist beliefs, when the spirits of the dead walk the Earth.
Cambodians believe that to ease their ancestors’ spirit’s sufferings, they prepare food and gather to the pagodas to offer the food for them to eat. This is similar to the All Soul’s Day that is celebrated back in my native Philippines. So most of the Cambodians take this time to go back to their hometown to observe this tradition. So, naturally, the streets of Phnom Penh are virtually empty during these three days.
And, since most of the Cambodians and resident expats are out of the capital, the streets of Phnom Penh are virtually empty and devoid of the usual hustle-bustle of daily life! In fact, we can actually see the yellow and black-striped lane divider!
You can find more information about the Pchum BenFestival here.
More Mellow Yellow Monday entries here (please click logo):
APAD 161: A success story in Cambodia
Found this old photo I took in one of our project activities in Kampong Speu province. It shows the village children performing a traditional Khmer dance for the guests at the official launching of the Chambok Ecotourism Site years ago, a project of the organisation, Mlup Baitong, where I used to work. Looking at this picture reminded me of the challenges, the stress, and of our success, big and small, while working at Mlup Baitong. I’m really proud to be part of the working force there.
The Chambok Community-based Eco-tourism is one of Mlup Baitong’s flagship projects and one of the firsts in Cambodia. It was deemed successful and was awarded as one of the best practices in the country. Because of this, the project was used as a model for all eco-tourism projects in Cambodia. At present, Mlup Baitong is implementing two more ecotourism projects in Stung Treng and Kandal provinces. More about the Chambok Community-based Ecotourism site can be found here and here.
More Mellow Yellow Monday entries here (please click logo):
APAD 156: Yellow creepy, crawly
Here’s a new visitor in my garden:
Hello, there, visitor!
More Mellow Yellow Monday entries here (please click logo):
APAD 151: Fast cars at Legend Cinema
Last Wednesday, I was invited by the nice people at Legend Cinema for the premier screening of the movie, Fast and Furious 5. Th Fast 5 premier also coincided with the premier of Disney Pixar’s Cars 2, for kids and kids-at-heart. We were happy to see so many cars on display at CitMall’s parking lot as part of its promotional gimmick. Here are two yellow cars that were on display:
These are only two of the dozens (even more) of cool cars that were on display that day. I chose only these two for my Mellow Yellow Monday entry today.
While this is not the first time I got invited by Legend Cinema (I told you they are very generous) I didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation for another movie screening. You know why? Because the movie to be screened stars two tough guys in Hollywood. Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson. I like them both, they’re ruggedly handsome and cute like teddy bears. I enjoyed the movie because apart from the two – you should watch their attempts at emoting, especially Vin Diesel. LOL. I could not imagine a tough-looking guy turning into a softie. Watching Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson I could not help but giggle because I somehow expected him to raise an eyebrow everytime the camera closes in on his face. What a hoot!
Anyways, to those who are in Phnom Penh, go watch it. It is still showing at Legend Cinema. The action is set in the exotic Brazil, the awesome cars are there, and – I hate to say this – beautiful women, and of course, the oozing machismo. Nevertheless, it is a very entertaining, fun movie.
More Mellow Yellow Monday entries here (please click logo):
APAD 146: Hello there, bug!
But what are you exactly?
Is that a suction cup on you, dear bug?
It’s amazing what kind of insects you encounter when you are outside Phnom Penh.
I was invited by Aziza’s Place to join in their field trip in Sre Ampil, in Kandal, less than an hour away from Phnom Penh. We went to this small but beautiful farm for a day of fun, fishing, crabbing, and simply just exploring the green fields. It is there when we were exploring when this tiny gold bug flew in front of me and got caught by my husband.
I don’t exactly like bugs but this one was different so I took a photo of it. How can you not like this beauty? It is so tiny, like a teardrop with a suction cup-like shell. It looks like a hard hat but it feels like a baby’s fingernail. It didn’t take long before it opened its shell – in the centre – and flew away. Amazing. That’s the first time I have seen anything like that. Google tells me it’s called a Golden Tortoise beetle.
A Silver Finish!
Certified!
Follow Us!