Cambodia - Introducing Mr. Ta

There is so much to say about Cambodia and we've only been here a day and a half. I'm enjoying reliving our day through pictures almost as much as I did being there. The temples are breathtaking.

Having been to Thailand, Vietnam and now Cambodia, I've learned that we love pieces about all three of these countries but they don't like each other. There's a lot of fighting among them, primarily over land.

But, this post is to share with you about a "moment" I had today. Now that I have kids, these "moments" happen more often, but today's was once in a lifetime.

Our driver was five years old when the Khmer Rouge army forced his family out of their home and out of Siem Reap. They had to walk 300 miles (yes!) in search of safety and shelter for their family. And if you didn't catch that, HE WAS FIVE. I have read a few books on this part of Cambodia's history and there was rarely a night I went to bed with dry eyes. Today, as he was telling us about his life as a child, I glanced in the distance and captured this...


My moment. Hearing stories from this man who was forced to leave his home as a terrified five year old, lived on a half cup of rice each day, fried spiders for dinner, and saw people brutally killed as he walked down the road...and then catching sight of my two. Blissfully happy as they ran around the gardens of the Angkor Wat Temple.

My eyes filled with tears and I stepped aside to take it all in.

I have more to write about this lovely man, Mr. Ta, which I will share later.

Today I feel grateful. Grateful that life has dropped me here with my family. Grateful to have Mr. Ta for two days and to learn from a true Cambodian what it means to be Cambodian. And grateful that we have been able to travel & learn about these amazing places.

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