First day in Siem Reap

By Kayla Acosta
Saturday June 22, 2019

The "tuk tuk" is the taxi of Cambodia.

This morning we ate breakfast at the Angkor Miracle Hotel. After breakfast, we completed team building activities with the students and faculty members from Singapore, Australia, and Canada. We were able to learn each other’s names, find commonalities between one another, and had a bit of fun! We traveled to a local restaurant for lunch where we were treated with traditional Khmer food. After lunch, we piled on the bus for a day of learning about the Khmer culture through 4 site visits.

We arrived! Outside the Angkor Miracle hotel.

First, we visited the Angkor Silk Farm which was a bit of a drive from our hotel. At the silk farm, we were able to the process of how silk is made from the beginning of the process to the final product.

Silk worms on mulberry leaves. (Photo by David Chang Chiew Mun.)

Artisans working with silk thread.

Second, we went to Artisan’s D’Angkor which was a workshop where individuals work to create intricate wood carvings, stone carvings, and jewelry. Watching these individuals work with such diligence to create detailed pieces of art was eye-opening. The amount of patience and technique that goes into their craftsmanship was unbelievable.

Artisan carving stone.

Visitors could try carving stone themselves. Not as easy as the artisans make it look!

Third, the most compelling and thought-provoking visit was to that of the Killing Fields of Wat Thmey. This area was a somber reminder of the atrocities the Cambodians faced in the 70’s and standing on the grounds where thousands lost their lives for senseless reasons was an experience which will stay with me the rest of my life. We were told more by our tour guide about how his family survived during the war and more about the history.

The stupa at Wat Thmey into which remains of the killings were gathered to show respect. (Photo by John Blake.)

Last, we headed to Theam’s House which was filled with artwork and traditional Khmer artifacts.

Painting by Lim Muy Theam in his distinctive style.

The day was filled with new knowledge and insights into the struggles the Kingdom of Cambodia has faced. I am grateful to have been able to see these sights.