Planning. It’s obvious when you think about it, but on a trip like this you have to set aside time to plan: “where will I go” and “what will I do” is swiftly followed by “how do I get there” and “where will I stay”. And so it was this morning.
And then I ventured into the sunshine and hit Wat Phnom. Not literally, obviously, because that would rather disrespectful.
I like temples. Just as I like churches. And mosques. I’m not religious, but I feel comfortable in these places, because I let myself. And they are usually peaceful and a microcosm of all that is good. That people find comfort in belief is of comfort to me, even if I don’t share the feeling. I’ve never felt any need. But it also struck me as how strange it is to pay respects to an inanimate object. Visitors were mostly Cambodian and, therefore, Buddhist. They removed their shoes, stepped into the temple (left foot first, I assume), and knelt in front of the display of statues and various other objects:
Hands in prayer position, they touch their forehead with their thumbs and then bow down and touch the ground. Repeat twice. Then they relax. Various touching of the forehand with prayer hands ensues, but I think they’re free-styling at this point. All to an inanimate statue. Gifts and money are tucked into places all over the display, similar to the collection plate in a Christian service, I guess. I’ve never noticed how English society is secular, because it’s all I’ve ever known, so the way their religion pervades the Cambodian way of life is thought-provoking. The way that it seems to give them meaning and structure and a common ground is surely A Good Thing. And that people blame religion for so much conflict throughout history doesn’t hold either – religion doesn’t start wars, people do.
Walking back to my hotel (which is much better, btw, thanks for asking – the bathroom is bigger than my former prison cell, I’ve covered electrics, a bed that doesn’t feel like sleeping on an egg-box and plenty of natural light; it’s amazing what £4 can buy you in these parts), the heavens opened. Again.
I sheltered in a cafe until it subsided, and then crossed the street… and was met with a puddle at least a metre wide. Too far to jump onto the pavement. So I started walking… into the oncoming traffic. Not only did I not get run over, but nobody even beeped me. Welcome to Asia. Think I’m getting the hang of it 🙂