keh3338's Photobucket media

Driving through Phnom Pehn

keh3338 — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:14:12 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Driving through Phnom Pehn - DSC_0001.jpg

This photo album is about views from the car as we drove to the countryside. Get ready for a ride...

Traffic Light

keh3338 — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:12:07 MDT

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Traffic Light - DSC_0003.jpg

The light counts down how much time you have to go through. When it ends, usually there is a left turn signal. Generally, people allow traffic to follow the light when there is enough traffic, but if it isn't too busy, moto drivers just go straight through regardless. Sometimes cars do to. You can get away with anything if you honk often enough.

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keh3338 — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:10:17 MDT

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This man is pushing along his mobile store/restuarant. This is one of the largest that I've seen.

Puppies!

keh3338 — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:07:54 MDT

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Puppies! - DSC_0007.jpg

They were so cute! They kept slipping out between the rails. The ground is torn up from road construction.

Countryside

keh3338 — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:05:01 MDT

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Countryside - DSC_0008.jpg

Cambodia has some random hills. Here is one of them.

People movers?

keh3338 — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:03:13 MDT

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A truck full of people on the highway to Kampong Cham.

same guys again

keh3338 — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:00:49 MDT

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same guys again - DSC_0010.jpg

rural housing

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:58:50 MDT

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rural housing - DSC_0013.jpg

A quick glance at housing in the countryside.

off the highway

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:56:54 MDT

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off the highway - DSC_0014.jpg

Dirt roads - this one is in relatively good shape and separated two villages. On either side are farm plots.

farming

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:54:41 MDT

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farming - DSC_0015.jpg

sorry it's blurry - farm plots are divided by little earthen mounded fences.

passing a truck

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:52:09 MDT

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passing a truck - DSC_0016.jpg

this was a really really tight fit.The road was barely wide enough for both of us!

heading into the wilderness

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:50:20 MDT

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3-wheeling

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:48:49 MDT

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Driver carrying goods in the countryside.

country house

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:47:09 MDT

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country house - DSC_0019.jpg

This may not seem too bad at first, but notice how wonky the roof is compared to the rest of the building...Also notice the holes in the wall on the left side.

country house 2

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:45:09 MDT

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country house 2 - DSC_0020.jpg

Rural dwellings often have doors to nowhere, and they also usually don't have front doors.

Our car!

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:42:27 MDT

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Our car! - DSC_0021.jpg

The intrepid Land Cruiser at our first destination.

door to nowhere

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:38:59 MDT

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We went to this home to attempt to collect payment on a micro-loan given to the owner. Unfortuantely, she wasn't at home. Most houses here are built on stilts to protect from flooding.

neighboring house

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:36:10 MDT

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neighboring house - DSC_0023.jpg

piggies!

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:32:54 MDT

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piggies! - DSC_0025.jpg

Unlike the dogs in Cambodia, this little pig was happy to see me and wagged it's tail at me! The dogs, however, growl at me. I think it's because I am so pale compared to people they are used to seeing. I must look very strange to them.

Haystack

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:29:22 MDT

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Haystack - DSC_0026.jpg

These are all over the countryside. Can't these spontaneously combust?

Food Pics!

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:27:11 MDT

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Food Pics! - DSC_0028.jpg

Here is a picture of my breakfast that day. It is some kind of fish soup with glass noodles and various herbs. Even though it was green, it was pretty tasty and very mild.

Fried Critters

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:20:31 MDT

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Fried Critters - DSC_0029.jpg

These, on the other hand, look scary and gross to eat. In Cambodia, fried crickets are yummy to some and not to others. You can also find fried spiders. Yuck.

Buying Corn

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:06:21 MDT

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Buying Corn - DSC_0064.jpg

Sina and Polet buy corn from a streetside vendor on our way back to Phnom Penh.

Corn

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:02:09 MDT

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Peeling the corn...

Corn

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 22:56:26 MDT

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More peeling....

Corn!

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 22:47:38 MDT

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Corn! - DSC_0067.jpg

And there it is. It's short, stubby, and doesn't taste anything like corn in the states. It almost has a mealy, floury texture to it.

corn being passed up

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 22:42:41 MDT

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corn being passed up - DSC_0068.jpg

Sina got corn for everyone...

Province Women

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 22:41:51 MDT

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Province Women - DSC_0062.jpg

These are the women in the province. They operate the domestic violence safehouses run by the organization I'm working with. They are also trying to start their own businesses. I look like a giant. OK - maybe not a giant, but it's nice to be the tall one for a change!

village roads

keh3338 — Tue, 2 Jun 2009 22:39:43 MDT

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village roads - DSC_0063.jpg

Roads in the village...a little kids running do

Prayer

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:39 MDT

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Prayer - DSC_0102.jpg

The nuns gather in the temple to pray to Buddha for peace between Thailand and Cambodia

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keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:37 MDT

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Sorry this picture is fuzzy. Can you find the monkey?

Temple musicians

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:35 MDT

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Again, sorry it's fuzzy, but it was really dark in the temple, and I didn't have a tripod. Check out the crazy instrument that the guy is si

Side building at Wat Phnom

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:31 MDT

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Everything here is so colorful...

Giant Clock

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:29 MDT

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Giant Clock - DSC_0123.jpg

A giant landscaped clock helps the motodrivers tell time when they drive by the Wat. The grey tower on the top of the hill (partly hidden by the tree) is the top of the temple.

Clock II

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:27 MDT

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Clock II - DSC_0124.jpg

This time with a snazzy Lexus driving by. Yes, almost every car advertises on its side exactly what kind of car it is.

SRP Headquarters

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:24 MDT

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SRP Headquarters - DSC_0012.jpg

An ariel view of the opposition party headquarters from my original hotel room. Trees obscure most of it.

Poor Housing

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:22 MDT

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Poor Housing - DSC_0013.jpg

Same building, but now I've headed down the street a bit and am looking north. In many parts of the city, people want these buildings destroyed. But the question then becomes - where do all of these displaced people go?

Poor Housing

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:16 MDT

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Poor Housing - DSC_0015.jpg

Even though the residents are poor, there is still an amazing amount of color...

7 Elephants

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:14 MDT

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7 Elephants - DSC_0016.jpg

Perhaps the Cambodian version of 7-11? It's a pretty high-class store, where the employees open the doors for you, and watch you at every moment to make sure you don't steal anything.

Independence Monument

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:12 MDT

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Independence Monument - DSC_0027.jpg

A moment of pretty light traffic circling the monument.

Independence Monument

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:10 MDT

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Independence Monument - DSC_0028.jpg

A large monument in the middle of a traffic circle in Cambodia.

Sleeping Moto-dup

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:08 MDT

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Sleeping Moto-dup - DSC_0029.jpg

A common sight

Poor Housing

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:06 MDT

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Poor Housing - DSC_0030.jpg

Long tenement styled buildings like these are common in Phnom Penh. I'm guessing that these buildings were abandoned during the Khmer Rouge era. Once the city became repopulated, the poor moved in. These buildings house poor people and, according to a coworker, prostitutes. This view is from the north

Local Market

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:04 MDT

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Local Market - DSC_0031.jpg

The fruit and food aisle also is the main entrance to a local market - shared by motos and pedestrians.

Moto transporting something tall

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:02 MDT

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Moto drivers carry all kinds of crazy objects that we would NEVER think about putting on a motorcycle in the States! Here, the driver is in front of the tall object, and the guy behind him is holding on tightly.

View from my balcony

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:15:00 MDT

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View from my balcony - DSC_0047.jpg

The view from my apartment's balcony. Rain, rain, and more rain. And let's just say "when it rains, it pours."

Sina & Polet

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:58 MDT

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Sina & Polet - DSC_0048.jpg

Two of my coworkers at Strey Khmer, an organization working to improve situations for victims of domestic violence. Sina is left, on her moto. Polet is on the phone. We are waiting to go into the National Assembly.

View of the interior of the National Assembly

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:55 MDT

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View of the interior of the National Assembly - DSC_0049.jpg

This was the only photo I was allowed to take whilst inside the Assembly, and it was a test photo so the security personnel could verify that my camera was really just a camera. I was completely barred from entering the next day.

Group Photo Variations

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:30 MDT

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Group photo variations

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:28 MDT

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Group Photo variations

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:26 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Seriously, this time

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:25 MDT

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Seriously, this time - DSC_0094.jpg

The final result.

Group Photo ... with Monkeys?

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:23 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Group Photo ... with Monkeys? - DSC_0093.jpg

They aren't afraid to get close!

Oops!

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:21 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Oops! - DSC_0091.jpg

Note the little butt naked child running in front of the otherwise picturesque group photo....

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keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:19 MDT

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The masterminds of the group photo...

Group photo?

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:17 MDT

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More of the same....

Group photos

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:15 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Group photos - DSC_0088.jpg

wow. Seriously. I was trying to get a decent shot for Reaksmey in case she didn't like one.

Group photos...

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:13 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Group photos... - DSC_0087.jpg

Slowly getting everyone together.

Group Photo!

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:11 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Group Photo! - DSC_0086.jpg

The protestors gather together for group photos.

Nun interview

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:02 MDT

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A nun gives an interview. I wonder what she said?

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keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:14:00 MDT

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The nuns return from the

An interview

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:13:58 MDT

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An interview - DSC_0082.jpg

A staff member of the CLEC is interviewed at the rally.

Lining up

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:13:55 MDT

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Lining up - DSC_0080.jpg

The protestors line up and await the return of the nuns from the temple.

Nuns with Birds

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:13:54 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Nuns with Birds - DSC_0079.jpg

And a very colorful bag.

Nuns with birds

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:13:52 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Entering the temple at Wat Phnom.

Nuns with Birds

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:13:50 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Entering the temple at Wat Phnom with prayer birds in the background.

Nuns

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:13:01 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Entering the temple at Wat Phnom.

Nuns

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:59 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Entering the temple at Wat Phnom.

Nuns

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:59 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Entering the temple at Wat Phnom.

Nuns

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:57 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Nuns prepare to enter the temple for a group prayer.

Nuns

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:57 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Entering the temple at Wat Phnom.

Protestors and Elephants

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:55 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Protestors and Elephants - DSC_0050.jpg

Maybe they will ride the elephant to the top of the temple?

Buying Lotus Flowers

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:55 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Buying Lotus Flowers - DSC_0053.jpg

Reaksmey purchases lotus flowers to offer to Buddha for peace.

Buying Lotus Flowers

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:53 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Buying Lotus Flowers - DSC_0054.jpg

Reaksmey purchases lotus flowers to offer to Buddha for peace.

Woman with BirdCage

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:53 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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A protestor stands near a cage of birds.

Peace Birds

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:51 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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At the temple, it is not unusual to find cages full of birds. A person can make a payment for a bird. The person then prays for peace and releases the bird (which flies away with the hope of not being caught again!)

Lotus Flowers

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:51 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Lotus Flowers - DSC_0057.jpg

Reaksmey places her lotus flower in the vase with dozens of others.

Relics and Offerings

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:35 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Relics and Offerings - DSC_0059.jpg

The temple at Wat Phnom has an extraordinary array of relics of the Buddha. The table in front holds bowls of food that are offered to him.

An Offering

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:19 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

An Offering - DSC_0061.jpg

Reaksmey lights a candle for peace at the temple of Wat Phnom

An Offering

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:19 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

An Offering - DSC_0062.jpg

Reaksmey lights a candle for peace at the temple of Wat Phnom

Peace Rally

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:17 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Peace Rally - DSC_0068.jpg

Buddhist Nuns dressed in white robes (some have black skirts) prepare for the peace rally.

Peace Rally

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:17 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Peace Rally - DSC_0069.jpg

Peaceful protestors gather at Wat Phnom to rally against violence between Cambodia and Thailand. Protestors are wearing white shirts and offering lotus flower to Buddha.

Peace Rally

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:15 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Peace Rally - DSC_0070.jpg

Peaceful protestors gather at Wat Phnom to rally against violence between Cambodia and Thailand. Protestors are wearing white shirts and offering lotus flower to Buddha.

View from Wat Phnom

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:12:15 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

View from Wat Phnom - DSC_0071.jpg

a lush, green, tropical setting

Fate of the Lotus

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:09:30 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Fate of the Lotus - DSC_0122.jpg

The lotus flower offerings were beautiful, but hopefully this monkey isn't predicting the future of Thai-Cambodian relations....

Fate of the Lotus

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:09:28 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Fate of the Lotus - DSC_0121.jpg

The lotus flower offerings were beautiful, but hopefully this monkey isn't predicting the future of Thai-Cambodian relations....

Fate of the Lotus

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:09:27 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Fate of the Lotus - DSC_0120.jpg

The lotus flower offerings were beautiful, but hopefully this monkey isn't predicting the future of Thai-Cambodian relations....

Fate of the Lotus

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:09:25 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Fate of the Lotus - DSC_0119.jpg

The lotus flower offerings were beautiful, but hopefully this monkey isn't predicting the future of Thai-Cambodian relations....

Fate of the Lotus

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:09:23 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Fate of the Lotus - DSC_0118.jpg

The lotus flower offerings were beautiful, but hopefully this monkey isn't predicting the future of Thai-Cambodian relations....

Monkey business

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:09:21 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Monkey business - DSC_0117.jpg

Reaksmey discusses business with a friend, but the monkey has business of his own... with the lotus flower.

Reaksmey and Me #2

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:09:19 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Reaksmey and Me #2 - DSC_0116.jpg

Same story, different shot.

Reaksmey and Me

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:09:17 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Reaksmey and Me - DSC_0115.jpg

Pardon my appearance. I am suffering from a cold at this point. It's also incredibly hot, and I am swollen from the heat. Fun times! (Plus, Reaksmey is TINY TINY TINY!)

Group Photo #2

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:09:15 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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And there's everyone again.

Group Photo Profile

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:09:13 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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A side view.

Nuns exiting the temple

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:08:53 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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The chaos at the top of the stairs. I got trapped up there before I realized that everyone was gathering for another group photo.

Lining

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:08:51 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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For another...you guessed it....group photo.

Down the steps

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:08:49 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Protestors descend.

Prayer is over!

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:08:47 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Everyone escapes from the hot temple. A family of Americans attended (I'm guessing the tall guy is the son.)

Nuns and Drummers

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:08:36 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

Nuns and Drummers - DSC_0102.jpg

Musicians stay at the back of the temple. Normally they are making all kinds of noise. It doesn't seem rehearsed, nor did it seem like there was any particular melody or rhythm. Maybe I just don't know what to listen for.

Group Prayer inside the temple

keh3338 — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:08:18 MDT

keh3338 posted a photo

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Everyone crams in to pray to Buddha.