24 days. Past 24 days in Cambodia, this small country surrounded by sea, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. 24 days floating on a cloud, 24 days have passed all too quickly, 24 days I will keep an unforgettable memory.
Because that during this visit, I had the chance to meet the most extraordinary people that I was able to meet since the beginning of my career as a globe-trotter.
Landscaping speaking, Cambodia, to me, can not compete with the natural beauty of New Zealand, Corsica or Costa Rica. Whatever I have not seen the most beautiful snowy peaks, the most majestic fjords, the most savage steppes or the bluest waters of the world, Cambodia has become for me the most beautiful country in the world. Not for what he has but for what it is. With this element that most defines the identity of a country, that is to say people who live there.
A cliché as a statement? Maybe. All the people I met who took the time to really visit the country (that is to say people who saw nothing but the temples of Angkor and Siem Reap and Phnom Penh) are unanimous: Cambodians are tellements purposes.
But it's true. Truer than true. In virtually all the countries I visited, I met people generous, likeable, friendly, altruistic. But in Cambodia, I, for the first time in my life was touched and moved by the people.
With good humor, sense of humor, simplicity, curiosity, passion for life, their courage, resilience, Cambodians have allowed me to experience the most unique tourist experience, that of the true discovery of a people. A people that deserves to be discovered and respected for all he has lived.
A people that could collapse after the genocide orchestrated by the infamous Pol Pot between 1975 and 1979 (genocide in which about two million Cambodians lost their lives). Instead, these people have managed to turn this tragedy that has devastated the country in power, in a rage to live in toughness. In short, a trauma that has allowed them to be even stronger than before.
The courage shown by the people against this black mark on the history of the 20th century is unusual. Instead of living in denial, playing the ostrich and pretend that nothing happened, Cambodians face this cruel reality of the face. Their message is clear when you visit Tuol Sleng (also known as S-21, this prison where thousands were tortured Cambogdiens) or the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek (where prisoners were killed S-21): this is our story, here's one of ours has done to his people; we want all people to know what happened to prevent this humanitarian catastrophe happen again someday.
But this courage is not only in museums. It is in the street, among the victims of this despicable regime, speak, speak and speak without hesitation of the war and what they experienced during this dark period ... without you even asked. Can not visit Cambodia without falling a person who will tell you how she and her family suffered under the Khmer Rouge. And these horrors, they told you are like any history of everyday life ... with a smile which means so much.
That smile and willingness to talk endlessly. Another fascinating phenomenon in this country have already addressed the subject in my post about the tuk tuk . This property is widespread. A smile rich, warm, contagious whose charm is irresistible. Impossible to remain indifferent. A spontaneous invitation to respond to your turn to make you a machine to smile during your stay in this country.
A first non-verbal gesture that simply leads inevitably minutes. And attach to your hat with the big pin, you may spend more time than expected to chat with your friend. Ease of approach and openness to foreign disconcerting. Uninhibited, without hindrance, barrier. A discussion of natural as if you were talking to a friend you have known for 15 years. Magical.
Easy to enter their world ... with the force of a magnet. Not only to exchange and share words, words and lyrics. But you get invited to play bocce, volleyball with them. As you get invited to sit at their table while watching a boxing match on television in a restaurant. As you get invited by tuk tuk to eat at home with his family. As you join hands with the kids when you drive through a village on foot. To make you give trucks toys by children playing with them. Etc, etc, etc..
A vortex of humanism in which you want to absolutely fall for a unique experience.
camodgiens Friends, thank you for this life lesson. This tribute is dedicated to you with the utmost sincerity and greatest humanity by someone who does not happen to you at ankle. Thank you for all the shows in such a short time. You are the nicest, most wonderful, most adorable, most extraordinary.
And above all, never change.
0 comments:
Post a Comment