Siem Reap Pictures 3: Les Enfants du Paradis
I named this bog post Children of Paradise because where these kids live is a strange dichotomy of paradise and hell. (And in French! To celebrate some of Cambodia's past)
Paradise when they're enjoying their screaming games among the grass, on the water, or around the temple columns. Hell, when they are scrambling for US dollars from tourists. The mercurial shift from childish delight to sad monotone whines of begging despair.
Lady, you buy my postcards for one dollar?
No food, no mommy, no daddy...
I want 100 rel! Give me 100 rel!
Lady, you want guide around Angkor? I know all about Angkor. I be good guide.
There was one remarkable 12 year old boy that we were chatting with, while sitting on the ledge off the side of the tallest spire in Angkor Wat. His name is Mat, and he sells souvenirs by Phnom Bakheng. He has such intelligence, and streetsmarts to match. The obligatory pitch, of course, to buy some of his stuff - but he was sweet enough to give us a bracelet off his own wrist. "For good luck". And when he saw us balking at the price for a cheap guide book, told us in an undertone (after stealing a quick look behind at his bosses to make sure they weren't paying attention) that we would get better prices in the town bazaar. Mat is a smiling, cheerful, gutsy, charming, adventurous boy and also very clearly, a survivor. I hope good things come his way, he deserves nothing less.
Start Driving at a Young Age
Tour Guide at Phimenakas
Three-Way Water Fight (Chong Kneas)
Winner of Water Fight sees better opportunity
Ring Around the Column
Getting Ready for Prayer
Next: Siem Reap Pictures 4: Defiant Against Time
Paradise when they're enjoying their screaming games among the grass, on the water, or around the temple columns. Hell, when they are scrambling for US dollars from tourists. The mercurial shift from childish delight to sad monotone whines of begging despair.
Lady, you buy my postcards for one dollar?
No food, no mommy, no daddy...
I want 100 rel! Give me 100 rel!
Lady, you want guide around Angkor? I know all about Angkor. I be good guide.
There was one remarkable 12 year old boy that we were chatting with, while sitting on the ledge off the side of the tallest spire in Angkor Wat. His name is Mat, and he sells souvenirs by Phnom Bakheng. He has such intelligence, and streetsmarts to match. The obligatory pitch, of course, to buy some of his stuff - but he was sweet enough to give us a bracelet off his own wrist. "For good luck". And when he saw us balking at the price for a cheap guide book, told us in an undertone (after stealing a quick look behind at his bosses to make sure they weren't paying attention) that we would get better prices in the town bazaar. Mat is a smiling, cheerful, gutsy, charming, adventurous boy and also very clearly, a survivor. I hope good things come his way, he deserves nothing less.
Start Driving at a Young Age
Tour Guide at Phimenakas
Three-Way Water Fight (Chong Kneas)
Winner of Water Fight sees better opportunity
Ring Around the Column
Getting Ready for Prayer
Next: Siem Reap Pictures 4: Defiant Against Time
posted by tygertyger at 3:55 AM
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