The pain Cambodians have experienced is palpable; the reign of the Khmer Rouge has left an indelible mark. Art, cultural and intellectual pursuits were destroyed. Many of the children have been orphaned or maimed-the victims of land mines. Land mines and undetonated bombs dropped by the US during the 'carpet bombing' along the Ho Chi Minh Trail still kill or injure people Signs warn visitors not to leave well-trodden paths. Abject poverty is the norm. Yet, there's a hopeful optimism in Cambodian people.
Surviving in this country is tough. With the cool season approaching, temps still hover around the mid-90s. The sun is scorching hot- it's difficult to be out in the middle of the day. This year's rains flooded many areas in Cambodia and there are outbreaks of dengue fever.
I've spent my time here exploring the temples of Angkor Wat, birdwatching and checking out the Tonle Sap Lake. 8th graders, you will soon find out that watersheds are drained by rivers ,which ultimately deposit the water in our oceans. The Tonle Sap the largest lake in SE Asia and represents critical habitat. It flows into the Mekong River, but during the rainy season, the Mekong overflows. The flow of the river actually reverses and water flows into the Tonle Sap. As a result, the lake nearly quadruples in size! It is the breeding ground for many birds and home to 5 million snakes! Luckily, I only saw a few, but a couple were big! Many Cambodians make their homes along the lake. The houses are either built on bamboo rafts, old oil drums or stilts. That way, when the lake floods, the houses don't. I found the floating villages fascinating, but it would be a tough place to live.
Tomorrow, I start my journey back home. First, a bus to Bangkok and then the LONG flight home!
