I visited Battambang, a larger town an hour south of Mongkol Borei, for two days. It is home to 140,000 people, and despite the small expat community here, it still has old world charm. Walking along the riverside, I enjoyed the colonial architecture from the era when this country was a province of France. The Pagodas were virtually untouched during the Khmer Rouge war because some military guy ignored the orders of superiors. The people are very friendly. But I was most excited when I found a jar of peanut butter and a package of spaghetti. Sweet!
I visited four wats: This is Wat Sangker.
The wats are also monasteries, and home to monks who live in simple accommodations. While wandering around, I found myself in front of their showering area. Awkward! (So much for their chance of Nirvana in this lifetime.) The monks were very friendly and like to practice their English on tourists. I met a monk named Sa-waat. He talked about how busy he was all day. Weird. I always pictured monks sitting around meditating. He said that he would not be a monk his whole life because he wanted to travel. Below is a picture of their saffron robes hanging out to dry.
Psar Nath, the main market in town offers all kinds of products. There are frogs, live turtles, fresh catfish (they are still jumping), duck eggs with the fetus inside (feathers and all), and anything else you could want...except toilet paper. Seriously! I can buy a goat liver or a cow hoof, but I can't get my hands on some Charmin?
I visited four wats: This is Wat Sangker.
The demon warriors stand guard at the main temple.
The wats are also monasteries, and home to monks who live in simple accommodations. While wandering around, I found myself in front of their showering area. Awkward! (So much for their chance of Nirvana in this lifetime.) The monks were very friendly and like to practice their English on tourists. I met a monk named Sa-waat. He talked about how busy he was all day. Weird. I always pictured monks sitting around meditating. He said that he would not be a monk his whole life because he wanted to travel. Below is a picture of their saffron robes hanging out to dry.
Psar Nath, the main market in town offers all kinds of products. There are frogs, live turtles, fresh catfish (they are still jumping), duck eggs with the fetus inside (feathers and all), and anything else you could want...except toilet paper. Seriously! I can buy a goat liver or a cow hoof, but I can't get my hands on some Charmin?
Yummy Frogs!!!!
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