ReMindful Returns

  The stars have aligned for a return to Chennai, where for eight weeks I'll teach feature writing to four successive groups of new media students. Brushing up on my SEO! (What is SEO?) 

Moi @ Angkor Wat

First, though, I met up with my wandering son, Ben, and his girlfriend Lindsey, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, basecamp for Angkor Wat. (Check out Ben's superb blog and Lindsey's fine photos at https://bltrippin.wordpress.com/). The city has grown into an NGO stronghold where expats build support for street children, women and healthcare through initiatives such as fair trade businesses (thus the glut in goods made from recycled Elephant cement bags and pop tops). The town doubles as a trekker stomping ground (thus the glut of coconut and mango smoothies, happy hour specials and tuk tuks.)

Ben and Lindsey aboard a tuk tuk bound for Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat and surrounding temples glorify war in spectacular fashion. Conflict seems to be a constant here, even after the end of 30 years of civil war in 1999. Visitors are warned not to step off beaten paths at certain temple sites to avoid hitting a landmine.  Millions of landmines remain buried across Cambodia and landmine victims missing limbs are a common sight.  

We tuk tukked to temples near and far, trying to stay one step ahead of busloads of tour groups. Not always successful and the mysterious beauty and ancient energy emanating from these places were tempered somewhat by scores of tourists striking K-pop and more provocative poses among the ruins. Selfie sticks, a modern-day weapon, were legion.        

Yet, this small Buddhist shrine encountered at Ta Prohm of Tomb Raider fame, looks on the bright side.

And apsaras, or heavenly nymphs, frequently make a magical appearance to soothe war-weary kings and their men, as well as visitors overwhelmed by bellicosity.


    

Next: The slippery slope from Pol Pot to Donald Trump, a post from Phnom Penh.