Unfortunately it was the middle of the wet season when I visited Angkor, so I was dealing with high humidity when it wasn't raining, luckily the rain came at a fairly regular time each day, so generally I was able to plan my visits around it.
It started pouring down just as I approached Angkor Wat, so I raced up and took shelter inside the complex.
I sat quietly in a corner watching the rain and admiring the structure. A group of young buddhist monks were also caught in the rain and decided I was someone to approach an practice their English. Each asked the same questions pretty much, "where are you from", "what is your name", "where is your husband" - each was startled when I explained I was not married - this appeared incomprehensible to them, they also asked why not? Didn't I want to have children, why was someone so old (gee thanks guys) unmarried and travelling.
In the end with any subsequent group I decided it was easier to tell them I was married with 2 kids - they were always happy if I said I had a boy and a girl, and seemed to accept I was away for work and my husband and kids were at home, I have pretty must stuck to this story ever since, it seems to be a more socially acceptable response.
I did get to the point that I started to avoid the groups of young monks, just to avoid the inevitable interrogation.
I chose this photo because of the rain, it has been raining here almost non-stop for a week. Roads are closed, some nearby towns have had some evacuations due to floods, my roof has developed some leaks and the plaster ceiling has some damp spots, but there is no way I can get up on the roof to do anything about it. My garden has turned into a lake, flowing streams and mini waterfalls.
I can totally relate! I had to pretend I was married at age 16 when I was in PNG! And also on Tokelau I was far more respected when I took my mum over to help me with field work - I was no longer a single female scientist, I was someone's daughter.
Love hearing about your cultural experiences through these photos!
Wonderful photo - I love the tiled roof and shiny surfaces. How funny to have to lie regularly to monks!! Sorry to hear about your rain. Hope it eases up soon :)
Great story, great picture. Cambodia was ravaged by war since the sixties, do you see signs of it? Or is it all back to normal? Interesting place I bet.
Must be a South East Asian thing. I was asked the same questions when traveling to the Hill Country in Sri Lanka. I am sorry to hear about all that rain. I hope it will stop and your house doesn't get any damages!
Great perspective on this wonderful building. Have just been catching up with all your beautiful shots during the time I've been absent from 365. Some very great shots there and am sorry that I haven't the time to comment on them all.
@chewyteeth there were plenty of signs of the war still, actual signs cautioning people to beware land mines, at the markets I saw victims of landmines - men missing limbs, but Tanya @palusami covers it better than I - http://365project.org/palusami/365/2012-02-20
@lbmcshutter oh you are sweet :) Love this angle. We have just booked flights for Khmer New Year for what will almost definitely be our last trip to SR before we up sticks for Jakarta...cant wait to shoot Angkor with a DSLR!
Love hearing about your cultural experiences through these photos!