After a simple breakfast of eggs and toasts, I visited Wat Ounalom that was just around the corner from the hotel, and I was inadvertently treated to a sight of devotion and charitable giving. As a part of the New Year celebrations this week, some people would go to the pagodas to wash the Buddha statues with perfumed water to represent cleansing and purification from bad actions. Devotees also believed that this symbolic action would bring them Buddha's four sublime blessings of longevity, good health, happiness, and wisdom. People also gave money and food to the monks as well as mendicants who lingered around the temple compound. Some of them were young children, disabled adults, and poor families. There was a sense of reverence and calm from those around me in the temple.
After my temple visit, I walked a few blocks north and stumbled upon an open-air market where fresh meat, seafood, vegetables, and eggs were sold. A few blocks down, I saw a shop that rented out gas tanks for cooking. In a world where everything changes, I am a little surprised and rather happy that some traditions and way of life remain unchanged. I suppose only time will tell.
By noon, it was sweltering and I had to find respite in Sorya Shopping Center, where I had fresh coconut juice. It's said to be good for replenishing electrolytes and keeping dehydration at bay. By that time, I was done exploring and decided to go for a post-flight massage. The hour-long, full-body Khmer massage at Signature Spa near the river cost just US$15. My muscles were stretched, pounded, and relieved of tension by a petite Khmer lady. I could feel myself getting more and more relaxed during the massage and after it ended, I felt rejuvenated. I then walked to the nearest vegetarian restaurant (thanks Google!) and ordered a plate of fried noodles for lunch. Well-fed at US$1.50 and relaxed from my massage, I was ready for an afternoon siesta, but not before a quick look-see at The Plantation, a local boutique hotel across from the vegetarian restaurant.
I thought the explanation about the Khmer New Year at The Plantation was worth a verbatim copy for those (like me) who are new to the holiday:
"This week millions in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Burma are celebrating the three-day New Year holiday. The New Year starts from today April 14. People have begun to leave the country's capital, for their hometowns in various provinces in order to enjoy the holiday period with their relatives.
Khmers, alongside with Thais, Laotians who begin their cultural relations with the Indians even before their recorded history, readily inherited this tradition partly because they were free from farm work during this period. This occasion is called "Songkran" by the Khmers, Thais, Laotians and "Sangkranti" by the Indians.
In northern India, April is the beginning of spring when the trees start to bud and bloom and the hibernating animals come out to find food. So, for the ancient Indian people, April was a sign of new life and marked the beginning of a new year. That is why they observed (some still do) their New Year's Day around April 14.
SUOR SDEY CHHNAM THMEY... HAPPY KHMER NEW YEAR"
Above right: Wat Ounalom
Above left: Washing the Buddha statue; Above right: Distributing rice and money
Above right: For a fee, anyone can release one of these caged birds for good karma
Above: Khmer women in their traditional costume
Above left: Lotus flowers, ubiquitous and considered as sacred in Cambodia, are offered together with prayers at temples
Above: An open-air market
Above: Check out these utility lines
Above left: Fresh coconut juice (US$1.50) at Sorya Shopping Center; Above right: An elevator attendant in the mall!? Baffled at first by what I thought was unnecessary labor, I'm beginning to understand the deeper value of his service: first, he's an employed youth and second, the service industry keeps the country going with less reliance on manufacturing, etc. Makes some sense.
Above right: Knock off books for sale (I remember buying "Catch 22" in Vietnam on the street just like this one almost a decade ago)
Above: Vegetarian lunch (US$1.50) at Surn Yi Mei Shi Guan ~ so glad they were open for the holidays (even if the menu this week was limited)
Above left: The Plantation hotel (use of its pool is free with a drink); Above right: As part of the New Year celebrations, the elderly pours water on the young ones to bless them for the rest of the year
Next post: The Royal Palace and Cafe Living (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) - 16 April 2015
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