VietBlog

By Joey Bailey

We are on a pilgrimage to Angkor Wat. We are going there as students of human nature and as western vistitors to a strange and ancient land. It is very difficult for me to grasp how unique an experience this really voyage really is. As an American, I grew up studying Christianity and as a result, completly ignorant to the existence of Angkor Wat and the religious significance it holds within many Asian societies. This trip has recharged my desire to travel the world and to experience new lands. I feel that traveling the world is one the greatest ways to gain true human experience, there is simply no substitute. Angkor Wat is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the largest religious complex on earth. However, Angkor Wat is only one of the many religious sites found at Angkor. There are many temples dedicated to various gods from Hinduism and Buddhism. Angkor is literally a city of religious sites, of which, Angkor Wat is the largest. It was the heart of the Khmer Empire that reigned for hundreds of years over present day Cambodia. Today, we are preparing to visit Angkor Wat at sunset. I have attempted to read of the significance and glory of Angkor Wat but I feel that I am poorly prepared for this journey. Still, this is what traveling is all about, putting yourself out there and allowing the experience alone to be your teacher. We have been in Asia for nearly a month now and the constant bombardment of new tastes, sites, smells, and sounds have been very overwhelming to my senses, almost to the point of making me numb and putting me into some type of travelers daze. Still, I must say that Cambodia is a wonderful land full of graceful and kind people. We have only been in this country for four days now and I have enjoyed every second of it. From a westerner point of view, Cambodia is more like home than Vietnam. There are more consumer products and their economy is more oriented to capitalistic principles. In my short time here, I have fully enjoyed the Cambodia experience and I am excited for the opportunity to visit Angkor Wat. I totally expect it to blow my mind.