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.
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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.
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APAD 158: Local market in Phnom Penh
This is a typical scene at a local public market in Cambodia.
I love going to places like this – no kidding! There’s just so much happening at the market, varieties of colours to see, the loud noises, and the smells – aromatic or otherwise- that I find delightful to be in.
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APAD 157: The serene Stung Sen
This is Stung (river) Sen in Kampong Thom province. It is an important part of the people living along it. Tonle Sen is a major tributary of the mighty Tonle (river) Sap.
I took this photo very early in the morning at the provincial garden park. The weather was cool and the road quiet. Only afew people were walking about. I caught this motorised boat steadily making its way into the river. A little later, another boat passed by and on the boat were a group of young boys merrily rowing it.
This is my entry to this week’s Our World Tuesday. Click on the logo for more pictures of our world.
APAD 155: The red earth
After being powdered by the dust of summer comes the red, sticky mud of the rainy season, particularly in rural Cambodia.
I love the beautiful red clay soil in the countryside. Looks greasy from this angle but, no, it’s the thick, red, muddy road!
The mud is really harsh, and, as you can see, the road is virtually impassable – sticky, slippery, and will bury your vehicle (and you) if you’re stubborn enough to go on. Our shoes and flip-flops get coated with the sticky soil, and hardens like cement when it dries up, making them impossible to wear again.
This picture was taken in Kep, Cambodia in one of my field activities. I was based there for about 6months in 2006 and, I tell you, the rainy season added more challenge to the already very challenging work we were having at that time.
Huge props to the people on bicycles and motorcycles who patiently ply roads like this during the rainy season.
APAD 149: What good is it for?
NO PARKING. Really?
Not many people pay attention to signs in the streets, buildings, etc. Like above. Took this photo when we were driving up to the parking space on the 5th floor of the O’Russey market in Phnom Penh.
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