How Cambodia Grounded Me

_{Observing locals @ Mechrey Village, Cambodia –}

What a privilege it is to be alive and sometimes one must be reminded again from time to time to not take it for granted. My main trip to Cambodia was originally fueled by the will to see my friend again, explore a new country with Angkor Wat in the equation and experiencing the culture.

_{While catching up with Mira @ Phnom Penh – Candid by hubby}

But, this has humbled me in so many ways. I came here only with a little knowledge from my history class back then at junior high school about Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge era. Little did I know this knowledge is just a tip of the iceberg of what has been happening in this country.

_{Phnom Penh nowadays}

This piece is not about a history lesson or recommendation of beautiful instagram worthy places. This piece is based on observation and appreciation of Cambodians whom I met along the way. Cambodia didn’t have a humble start and it was proven by the Khmer empire’s remnants, Angkor Wat, which succeeded until some parts of nowadays Thailand and Vietnam, before it finally collapsed. Afterwards, the French colonization colored Cambodia.

_{@ Angkor Wat}

And just after the independence, the country was taken over by Khmer Rouge, which resulted to civil war and genocide. If you are in Phnom Penh, I strongly advised you to visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choueng Killing Field.

They are the dark reminders of the Cambodia era. To give you a perspective, 20% of the population was gone in just 4 years, resulting in only 7 Million so-called rural people left to rebuild the country from the horrible genocide, where Cambodians killed Cambodians.

_{Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, one of the saddest place on earth}

During this era, the Khmer Rouge literally killed every Cambodian who was seen as a threat. Wearing glasses, being fair skin, speaking another language are good enough reasons to be killed. And with the policy of killing the plants by killing the roots, meant that babies were not free of killing.

_{The hardest place in the killing field to pass by}

Fast forward to now, where 50 years have passed from this era, I respect how Cambodians are still able to treat and welcome foreigners or tourists, just like me and hubby, with open arms.

_{Cambodians in Phnom Penh on the weekend @ Night Market, dancing together}

Coming from Indonesia where a lot of Indonesians are afraid to explore this country because of the kidnapping and human trafficking for scheming companies, my two weeks in Cambodia showed me the opposite.

It felt unjustified to hear only bad stuff about Cambodia because interacting with Cambodians, who are not related with the scheming companies since they are run by the Chinese mafia, have been very sincere and kind. We stayed one week with a humble Khmer family and it turned out to be our hidden gem.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by hugs from the kids at the bus station. We were cooked, fed, and treated like family. Lunch at 11:30 and dinner at 19:00 were simple and didn’t feel special at those moments.

_{Tasty home cooked meal}

_{Inserting this pic. I remember how the kids love noodles}

But, those memories linger even after the trip is over. Our host brother lost his dad to the Khmer Rouge. Our host mom had to raise three kids as a single mother with all her ability. But still, they demonstrated kindness and sincerity to us, strangers.

_{Our host brother upon departure from Siem Reap}

I could make a list of these normal interactions that I experienced daily, from the humorous Tuktuk driver, the attentive coffee girl, the helpful palm cake seller and so on. But, the bottom line is they showed me how to live.

_{These friendly dogs}

_{And these kids were always happy and welcoming}

Even after these hardships where the whole nation has been traumatized and the healing process is still ongoing, they still keep going. Life is unfair and everybody knows that. But, how to live it and make the best out of it is a quality not everybody possesses.

Probably the Buddhist foundation has been helping this country be able to move forward. But, probably it is something else. Probably there is something that lingers in us, each human, to be able to unlock this potential. Can we truly see things the way they are? Will we then be able to accept it and move forward?

_{Witnessing a Buddhist ceremony}

Saying goodbye to our host family felt normal since I have said goodbye too many times this past year. But saying goodbye to Cambodia felt different. This time it is not just about the beautiful nor historical places on earth. It doesn’t need to be proved with beautiful pictures. This time it is about being reminded to stay humble and realizing how lucky I am just to be alive.