Angkor Wat
Ever since 14 years of age, I’ve dreamed of visiting Angkor Wat. It was back when National Geographic did their first spread on the temples. Back when Cambodia opened up to the public. The chunky faced Wats appealed to me. They still do. So much so that my sculptures have a similar look.
Today, it’s happening. Today, I’m getting on the plane for four nights and three (full) days of temples, guides, tourists, dust and heat.
For designers out there – yesterday I ran out and bought the only book on Angkor I could find. Out here books are wrapped in plastic due to the obvious. If you are a serious shopper, they’ll take it off for a quick check. In a hurry, I scanned for sections on the history of the Khmer Civilization and decent photos. It’s only now that I’m packing that I notice it’s written entirely in italics. Except for the leaf and the titles. A large book. A coffee table book. In italics. Why.
Btw – Designers who Blog still does not have the preview fixed. So, if any files mess up I’ll fix them on my return. No, I am not taking my computer. Nor will I be sitting in a cybercafe. What I am taking is full advantage.
My aim is to be sick of temples by the time I climb back on the plane. Not difficult in Cambodia I’ve been told, as there are many, many Wats. Cambodian temples are situated in big compounds, little compounds, some with sculptures, some stripped, spread out over a large area (all the way into Thailand actually). I’ve had the same experience elsewhere so I’m sure it’ll be equally true in Cambodia. I can only go through so many long, crowded days of temples in the heat and the dust, with beggars following close and blisters throbbing, before saturating out.
No matter. I’ve waited years for this moment so I’m going to enjoy every bit I can. Everything except the local beer. If Cambodia is anything like Thailand, the beer is served everywhere with chunks of ice. Even watered down it’s filling. Too filling. For me, enjoying a cold beer after a day of heat, dust and throbbing blisters only works for the first taste. Then I want something truly enjoyable. A light, chilled Chardonnay so crisp it takes half your tongue away. I’m taking two. One for each side.
But soon enough, I’ll be back here. Checking to see what did or did not publish on DWB.
Until then, anon.
Technorati Tags: angkor wat, cambodia, design, sculpture
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