Within a 30-minute walk around Siem Reap, I saw the saddest sight and the most amazing sight. Both of which brought tears to my eyes.
First, as I strolled down a relatively main street, I caught something odd out of the corner of my eye. I looked to my right and, across the street, I saw a motorbike with 3 people on it. Not an unusual sight unto itself. What made it odd was that there was a driver, a person sitting in the middle with a bandage around his head, and a person on the back holding an IV drip for the patient in the middle.
What else do you do when you can’t afford a taxi, let alone a hospital stay? If I could have, I would have given the patient money for a safer ride, but they sped away before I could fully understand the gravity of this situation.
As I continued on my walk, I then stumbled upon a Buddhist temple and ventured inside. Besides 2 other foreign women, there was no one else around. But clearly this was a special place.
I took my time wandering through the main temple and the grounds surrounding it.
I walked behind the large altar in the middle of the temple and turned my head to see a huge reclining Buddha hiding. I was literally taken aback by the simple beauty of this statue. There was no indication that this reclining Buddha was there. No signs directing everyone to what was surely the most beautiful spot in all of Siem Reap (OK, besides Angkor Wat).
The statue was probably 30 feet long and struck me because it seemed so lifelike yet so serene. The reclining Buddha in Bangkok is on most people’s tour of the city, but I doubted that many tourists had seen this breath-taking Buddha.
Want to see the Buddha for yourself? I’ve just released details for a Cambodia tour in July that incorporates the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Passport School! Join the Passports with Purpose founders for this unique chance to see how a small fundraiser can make a big difference!
See more lovely photos at DeliciousBaby’s Photo Friday!
Travel Well!
Beth
Related links:
Photo of the Day: Buddhism in Bhutan
Cambodia Tour July, 2010
Unique Architecture of Bhutan
The (Bhutan) King and I
Bhutan Photography Tour – September, 2010
Eastern Bhutan Trekking Tour – October, 2010
Rebecca says
i think the eyes of the Buddha really capture the sadness of your opening story -thanks for sharing!