Photos: Profile Stuff

insomniartist — Wed, 3 Jun 2015 11:18:00 GMT

Who I am

Photos: On the other side of genocide

insomniartist — Wed, 3 Jun 2015 11:00:00 GMT

Photos from Siem Reap, Cambodia

Temple taming

insomniartist — Fri, 22 May 2015 16:30:35 GMT

Siem Reap is a city to awaken the senses and prompt you to re-evaluate your life. Sensory input is overwhelming; tuk tuks vying for space with 4 wheel drive vehicles and buses, stall owners, drivers, and hawkers shouting, dirt, dirt and dirt, and heat like a flannelette full-body suit. Thankfully we found Bun. Bun was a tiny, energetic and enthuastic local who became our tuk tuk driver for the remainder of our trip. Apparently the road rules there are as follows: the person who turns first has the right-of-way, the speed limit is determined by the size of your vehicle (buses travel at roughly 180mph), traffic lights are just a guideline, and don't be thinking people will stop for you on a pedestrian crossing!
Siem Reap is a feast for the senses; though sometimes you won't like what's on the buffet. Rubbish is piled on the "footpath", the markets offer meat hanging in the blazing sun, footpaths have a crazy paving motif (or disappear altogether), and did I mention the dirt? If Siem Reap had a soundtrack, it would go something like this "Lady, you want tuk tuk? Lady you want to buy scarf? Lady! Postcards, only $1, see, there's 1, 2, 3 (there's 12. You will be shown every one, along with it's corresponding number, many times), LADY! You want tuk tuk? You want massage? You buy postcards? 1, 2 (you know the drill now!).
There are temples. Many temples, and they are humbling, glorious, and a reminder of our miniscule and (potentially) insignificant place on this earth. My temple visiting advice? Visit in bouts. If you attempt to see them all hurriedly; you risk Temple Overload (symptoms include thinking that all ruins look the same, acute deja vu, and the overwhelming desire to visit a mall). Don't tell anyone, but Angkor Wat is not my favourite. I was so mesmerised by Ta Prohm that time stood still. Built in the 1100's, nature has been reclaiming this magnificent temple for centuries. Strangler figs, Gold Apples, and silk-cotton trees lace their way through the ruins; creating a surreal and mystical place. Occasionally trees grow directly on the roof of the temple; giving them a distinct reach advantage over their earth-bound cousins.

This enchanting place, it's hard-working and genuine, resourceful, and resilient people, and it's still-raw history of war and genocide will creep into your soul and tangle itself into your memory; much like a tree at Ta Prohm.

How to reevaluate things

Photos: Profile Stuff

Photos: On the other side of genocide

Temple taming