Life is a journey.
Always taking the scenic route--and sewing along the way
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Cambodian Memories III
Here we go, the biggie: Angkor Wat. I flew into Seam Reap around midnight, so the following day I explored a bit, went to the National Museum (stellar, by the way), and located a licensed tour guide. The hotel had already provided my tuktuk driver for the week, so I was set there. On day 2, the guide met me at 5:15 in the morning (!) so I would be sure and catch Angkor Wat at sunrise. Then, back for breakfast and at 10 am we were off to other temples. We came back to Angkor Wat in a few days during the morning hours before it got too hot and the tourists became too thick. Angkor Wat is MASSIVE. Over 1 million people lived around and in it. The Wat was used just for worship, whereas Angkor Thom is where only the nobility lived. The 4 reservoirs were constructed over 1,000 years ago and are fed by natural springs so they are still in use. Children swim in them and I witnessed a local wedding taking place on the steps of one. That's another thing: the step risers everywhere were perfect! Something that modern Mongolians still struggle with--and the Great Wall of China certainly did not have even stairs--believe me, this is a killer!
Angkor is constantly being renovated and efforts are made to keep the jungle at bay. So, while it is so very impressive, it lacks some of the mystique of the lesser known temples. Interesting that the surrounding villagers are descendants of the original builders--and now they're employed in the restoration work. Sanskrit tablets are everywhere, so archeologists know just who erected what and why. As my guide, Votah, would say (with an Aussie accent), "Amazing. Stupendous. Mouth dropping. Gob smacking. Incredible..." Truly.
Last spring I chucked my 20-year-old bathrobe, giving me no choice but to replace it come winter. Granted, I never took it to Mongolia, so it only got worn when I was home in the US. But still. For summer I made several light weight robes, but I knew I liked the style of my old RTW one. When I saw reviews for Vogue 9232--on PR (all 3 of them), I knew I'd found my pattern. Interestingly enough, the pattern is actually for a caftan-type dress; but all 3 reviews were done up as a robe. Sham's review in particular had great tips. On a trip to Colorado Fabrics in early summer I spotted a beeeuuutiful pink sweatshirt type fabric. The outside is more like a thick knit and inside is dreamy soft. And it's baby pink! Which is hard to tell in the pics as we in Colorado have had lots of rain and no sunshine. And OK, I'm no photographer. But seriously, this is like stepping into a pink cloud. ...
I know this is a few days late, but we've been out of power for about 48 hours . Another story, another time. Anyway, holidays as we know them are a real challenge here. We did manage to go over to the Grand Khaan Irish Pub (remember, I do not make this stuff up) for a pint of Guinness (OK, it's watery Guinness out of China, but the sentiment is there as you can see :) and some Chinese stir fry. You see, their power was out, too, so the the grill was down but the wok was up. The place was packed and when the power did flash back on now and then, the Irish Rovers were a playin '. My first response to the 2nd picture was " Agghh ! I look 110 years old!" Randy reminded me that he took this on his cell phone. Hmm ... The 1st picture is of my first homemade corned beef!!! My dear friend, Beverly, shared her recipe (and her corned beef!) with my Bible study group 2 years ago. It turned out stellar! I have a handful of ladies of a Certain Age that inspire me and...
Almost a month ago I signed up for a 3-month membership at a local Dahn yoga center--and I have to say it has been life changing! Seeking to conquer my constant heart palpitations and gain lots more flexibility in ever creakier joints and muscles, I am constantly surprised--and delighted--to find it a profoundly spiritual experience. Not in a zen way, no Hindu gods invoked--but lots & lots of Jesus. I have found this stage of life to be an intersection where my spiritual life & emotions collided head on with my body. Things that for years I could sweep under the rug or just push through (ok, and blame others, hold grudges, lash out, etc., etc., yuk & yikes); well, my body would no longer tolerate it. Results: constant heart palpitations, sleep issues, anger/depression, etc. God used the hormonal stew of this life stage to bring me to a Ground Zero of sorts--what a journey it has been! My trip to Cambodia was the beginning of Change; it rebooted my decision-making p...
Here we go, the biggie: Angkor Wat. I flew into Seam Reap around midnight, so the following day I explored a bit, went to the National Museum (stellar, by the way), and located a licensed tour guide. The hotel had already provided my tuktuk driver for the week, so I was set there. On day 2, the guide met me at 5:15 in the morning (!) so I would be sure and catch Angkor Wat at sunrise. Then, back for breakfast and at 10 am we were off to other temples. We came back to Angkor Wat in a few days during the morning hours before it got too hot and the tourists became too thick. Angkor Wat is MASSIVE. Over 1 million people lived around and in it. The Wat was used just for worship, whereas Angkor Thom is where only the nobility lived. The 4 reservoirs were constructed over 1,000 years ago and are fed by natural springs so they are still in use. Children swim in them and I witnessed a local wedding taking place on the steps of one. That's another thing: the step risers everywhere were perfect! Something that modern Mongolians still struggle with--and the Great Wall of China certainly did not have even stairs--believe me, this is a killer! 
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