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 166: Tuk-tuk advertising
Most companies these days have learned to use tuk-tuks as tools to promote their businesses or create awareness for some. Not only that it is a lot, lot cheaper than other advertising tools, it is unique and effective as, obviously, tuk-tuks are visible throughout the city as they move around.
Tuk-tuks, or auto-rickshaws, are motor vehicles that are one of the common modes of transportation in South and Southeast Asia, especially as a vehicle for hire.
I was surprised to see this old-school style of sign along Kampuchea Krom Boulevard the other week. It’s very rare to find this kind nowadays as most signs are now digitally-made. The sign is actually showing a list of places of interest in Phom Penh.
More signs all over the world at Signs, Signs. Please do have a look.
APAD 163: Jiggly with caffeine!
One of the pleasures of living in Cambodia is sitting down in a streetside cafe and sipping a glass of super-yummy, oh-so-sinfully sweet iced coffee. You can easily get this very sweet beverage anywhere in the city but there is one place at the Russian market that is so popular to both locals, expats and tourists alike that a Facebook fan page was created especially for this legendary iced coffee and its star coffee-maker in Phnom Penh.
So when you are in Russian Market (or Psah Tuol Tumpong) in Phnom Penh and you see this sign…
… you should really give it a try! Honestly, it’s truth in advertising! I already get jiggly whenever I see this sign and I rush to order one. And the effect on me – I talk non-stop for the whole day, almost manic. Oh gosh, what a kick. It’s not exactly for the health-conscious because it is an extremely rich and strong caffeine brew with an automatic refill. With that said, I still urge you to try it – it really is worth it! Here is Mr. Bounnarith and his Facebook fan pag and here is an excellent blog post introducing him and his legendary iced coffee.
More signs all over the world at Signs, Signs. Please do have a look.
APAD 159: The polite tuk-tuk driver
I was supposed to post a different photo but this one caught my attention while I was browsing through my twitter page. I just knew I had to post it today:
This sign just says it all!
If you have been to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, you would know how it is being harrassed by persistent tuktuk drivers. Upon arrival at the bus stations or bus stops, or merely walking down the streets, you cannot escape an awful lot of tuktuk and moto drivers swarming around you (or stalking you) for a ride. I know they have to be in order to make a living but, by golly, it is a traumatic experience even for a resident expat.
This photo was originally uploaded here by LTO_Cambodia.
More signs all over the world at Signs, Signs. Please do have a look.
APAD 154: Self-portrait
… of Paige, the Pajero, that is. Paige is our trusty, 25year-old car that we bought here in Phnom Penh some four years ago. The red light was on and we stopped right n front of this shop.
The sign says it’s a decorative glass shop but because of the sun’s glare and our distance we could not really see what’s inside or what’s behind the glass door except Paige’s reflection.
More signs all over the world at Signs, Signs. Please do have a look.
APAD 150: What good is it for? Part 2
The part 1 is here.
The following day, I went back to the same market to get a supply of yarn for my crochet tutorials. Look what greeted me –
More motorcycles parked under the No Parking sign on broad daylight and for the public to see!
I was tempted to break out in a song beginning with the words in my blog title but…
This is just wrong, plain and simple. Some people think signs are made for everybody
but them.
A Silver Finish!
Certified!
Follow Us!