unconventional charm

I have had a few friends who have spent some time in Cambodia. More often than not, they each come back claiming how they have fallen in love with Cambodia. Well, Cambodia must be pretty charming, because I have to admit, it’s stolen my heart too. At first, I couldn’t quite place why. We’ve been blessed in both the Philippines and Thailand that things have gone smoothly and relatively problem-free. Enter Cambodia, and we’ve hit bumps along every bit of the way. Places we were staying have forgotten about our bookings and confirmations. We’ve been lead astray trying to find our way from Phnom Penh to Battambang. We’ve been incredibly ripped off by seemingly friendly tuk tuk drivers charging us 20 dollars for what should have been a 9-dollar ride. Compared to the last two countries, Cambodia is more underdeveloped scarred from a painful genocide-torn past. Moreover, it seems to host the most expensive goods (probably because the US dollar is frequently used causing inflated prices).

It leaves one wondering where all the so-called charm of Cambodia is. At least for me, I think I’ve come to figure it out. I’m the type of girl who doesn’t really like the seemingly perfect, clean-cut, put together kind of guy. I love unconventional and rough around the edges. Overlooked, but once you do look, you’re strangely captivated. And that’s what Cambodia is to me.


For the entirety of our five-hour bus ride to Battambang, my eyes could not leave the scenery outside my window. I loved watching the dirt road in its magnificent earthy red, contrasting perfectly with the lush foliage of coconut trees. Behind it are modest houses built on stilts hovering over acres of rice fields. Above, dragonflies decorate the skyline. On these rice fields, Cambodian cows roam the land, and children run around trying to help their parents mind the field. Mothers rock babies on hammocks. It’s beautiful in all its simplicity.


But it’s also more than this small frame of imagery that makes me love Cambodia. Having ridden the tuk tuk (a motorbike with a passenger cart behind it) a handful of times now, we’ve gotten in the habit of smiling or waving at anyone else on the road. This gesture is almost always returned with a smile or a wave. The Khmai people are a friendly people. If given an ounce of kindness, they’ll return it ten-fold. We’ve visited a few shops, café’s, and Internet places… Each place covers their walls and tables with pictures of their family – of mothers, fathers, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, the whole deal. Although they’ve had such a painful past, they stand today as resilient, loyal, compassionate, and family-oriented.


I realize that all these thoughts may seem abstract to you, and probably won’t make much sense to anyone but me. Cambodia is unconventionally beautiful and I can’t wait to discover what other hidden charms are here. Welcome to Cambodia. Wish you were here with us!