Thoughts on Cambodia

Our time in Cambodia weighed heavily on me as a tourist. The people were beautiful, quick to smile and strike up conversation. But somehow the injustices of this world we live in came crashing down on me during our time spent there, and it was quite challenging traveling through the country. The tourism felt desperate, people were in great need and were hungrily awaiting a chance to serve you...but there were so many of them! So many tuk tuk drivers, so many young children selling books or bracelets, so many disabled people often victims of landmines, so many tour operators, so many people that wanted a slice of you....needed a slice of you. And with this desperate need comes desperate measures as people resort to drugs, prostitution, etc as a way to survive. While we didn't really witness this ourselves, most guesthouses has signs warning of penalties for tourists caught participating in such activities....which was enough reminder for me that it is so prevalent and simply a way of life for so many. It felt as if Cambodia was dealt all the wrong cards, and while the winners cheated....they got away with it. Justice is a long way off and people are making ends meet however they can. And yet they keep smiling! I just could not believe how readily people smiled, amongst themselves or welcoming us. I just got so trapped in this mental whirlpool of the injustice of it all and what I was doing there. I left the country mentally exhausted, but full of warm images of roadside waves and gorgeous smiles.