Before we leave Battambang, a couple more photos and observations . . .
Our tuk tuk driver on our Battambang excursions was Buntha, a thoroughly delightful young man who kept a notebook of English words he didn't know. He learned English from the monks in his village but realized that it was far from the level of proficiency he was trying to develop. On one of our excursions, Buntha insists we stop in the town square so he can tell us about 'Stick Man', the patron saint of Battambang. His magic stick was responsible for the saving of the town long ago, and Stick Man is still much revered.
Buntha explaining the legend of Stick Man to Tim.
Our last night there, we went to the Cambodian Circus performance. We went to a performance in Siem Reap but felt we needed to see this one because the concept and school was started here, by a Frenchman. This was an entirely different performance . . . far less polished (a number of things and people were dropped) but this balancing act was breathtaking.
And unlike Siem Reap's performance, this one included some fire stick juggling. Not such a good idea given this troupe's record . . . at one point, this juggler dropped the fire stick on one of the young women! We could see her wince.
And wouldn't you know, we met someone from New Jersey! Seating is on bleachers and we sat on the very top row and couldn't help but overhear American English being spoken right next to us. It was a father and daughter pair who'd come to Battambang with Habitat to build a house. He was a retired policeman from Newark (actually head of the policemen's union for the entire state) and was a delight to talk to - overwhelmed with the poverty he was seeing. I keep wondering how it is possible we come half way around the world and end up sitting next to a guy from Jersey!!
Some last photos . . .
A load of mattresses on a tuk tuk flatbed.
Walls of local houses 'plastered' with a handmade mix of mud, dung, and straw - remarkably enduring.
The giant Buddha at the top of the Bat Cave/Killing Cave mountain . . .
Tomorrow we're off to Phnom Penh for our final days in Cambodia.
Our tuk tuk driver on our Battambang excursions was Buntha, a thoroughly delightful young man who kept a notebook of English words he didn't know. He learned English from the monks in his village but realized that it was far from the level of proficiency he was trying to develop. On one of our excursions, Buntha insists we stop in the town square so he can tell us about 'Stick Man', the patron saint of Battambang. His magic stick was responsible for the saving of the town long ago, and Stick Man is still much revered.
Buntha explaining the legend of Stick Man to Tim.
Our last night there, we went to the Cambodian Circus performance. We went to a performance in Siem Reap but felt we needed to see this one because the concept and school was started here, by a Frenchman. This was an entirely different performance . . . far less polished (a number of things and people were dropped) but this balancing act was breathtaking.
And unlike Siem Reap's performance, this one included some fire stick juggling. Not such a good idea given this troupe's record . . . at one point, this juggler dropped the fire stick on one of the young women! We could see her wince.
And wouldn't you know, we met someone from New Jersey! Seating is on bleachers and we sat on the very top row and couldn't help but overhear American English being spoken right next to us. It was a father and daughter pair who'd come to Battambang with Habitat to build a house. He was a retired policeman from Newark (actually head of the policemen's union for the entire state) and was a delight to talk to - overwhelmed with the poverty he was seeing. I keep wondering how it is possible we come half way around the world and end up sitting next to a guy from Jersey!!
A load of mattresses on a tuk tuk flatbed.
Walls of local houses 'plastered' with a handmade mix of mud, dung, and straw - remarkably enduring.
The giant Buddha at the top of the Bat Cave/Killing Cave mountain . . .
Tomorrow we're off to Phnom Penh for our final days in Cambodia.
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