CAMBODIA

Cambodia: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, 5 days, 3 orphanages, Angkor Wat, French Colonial buildings, rice paddies, flooding, face paint, bubbles, orphans, laughter, tranquility, poverty, happiness

tangerine robes

Offering food is one of the oldest and most common rituals of Buddhism. At 5 am this morning, my sister and I made a visit to our local outdoor market and offered food to the monks. 

As I knelt to show deference to the monk, I placed flowers, incense sticks and an assortment of Thai delicacies into the monk's bowl. Once the coconut dumplings, curry, rice and bananas were safely inside his bowl, he closed his eyes and began to chant. Although he was fairly ancient, the monk's sonorous voice deafened the bustle of the market. Draped in tangerine colored robes, he raised his antiquated, frail fingers to his creased forehead in a praying position. It seemed that it was because of this absurdity - a foreigner offering food to him - that the monk let the wrinkles around his cheeks gather, exposing a smile full of mustard shaded teeth. 

What a perfect way to start my day :)