Hi to all local guides,
I hope you are doing well.
If you are the fans of my articles, you may probably wonder why I was so quiet for more than 10 days on Connect. Well, I miss the platform as well as friends here, but work is more important. In the past weeks, my org went through changes of activities and with the new direction, we all required to go for field work, to conduct a series of meeting for assessment. My mission was for 10days straight to the northern parts of Cambodia. As it was a work mission, most of the time we conducted meeting with community leaders in various villages and districts along the borders. Without internet access and phone service reception in those regions, I couldn’t access to the internet or Connect.
Well, even it was for work, but I got a chance to relax and observe whatever came my way. I could see differences of the landscape and way of life of people living in those regions. In rainy season, most parts of Cambodia covered by greenness. Wildflowers are blooming and life goes on - slow. I am fortunate to be able to travel around Cambodia and specially to places not many people have been or known. I would like to share some photos I have taken during my travel there.
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During Buddhist Lent [or Rains Retreat known as The Vassa, the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada practitioners. It is practiced annually during the wet or rainy season. The Vassa lasts for three lunar months, usually from July to October.], the monks stay [standby] in the temple for 3 months, villagers take turn to offer food and drink to the monks who standby at the temple.
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Local villagers go fishing in the lake or pond around their village.
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Beyond fishing, these local people also rely on non-timber forest products to make a living: such as collecting wild fruits, wild vegetables for sale.
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Local ways of life of people by the border with Laos is somehow influenced by the country nearby. For example, ways of cooking, way of weaving thing, way of communication and many other things and belief. Some villagers speak Laos more than Khmer as they often do business together. So, when we conduct the meeting and talk to them, we need people who can understand their dialect to help us. Likewise, Laos people who live at another side of the river or border, can also speak and communicate with Cambodian people.
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Local Businesses are slow since it is in Covid-19 restrictions (I managed to add few local businesses into the Google Map). They are good businesses for food and are still in operation and could be help for those who will travel to these paths of the country
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Villagers are still friendly, but they do not offer food or accommodation to outsiders, we must pack food and return to the provincial town all the time. If without covid-19, we could find food and drink in the village easily.
@MukulR thank you for checking on me, I have a lot to share but I was so tired after the 10 day mission away from home. Please check this out. The next article will come soon!
See also my previous posts about Preah Vihear province and the northern province
