The Eternal Sunrise
4:00am in Siem Reap, the city is still asleep and the sky is still pitch dark. On the walkway leading to the ancient temple - Angkor Wat, cellphones are lighting the path. It's ironic to see modern technology at at a place without artificial lights installed, yet it also contrasts with the history preserved here.
Until right before the east side of the sky is painted with a gradual hue of pink, I didn't realize it would be the most memorable moment of dawn for me. As shades of orange and purple add to the pink sky and the pond presents a perfect reflection of the temple, I felt an absolute serenity. The natural beauty shut down all the noise and perhaps the sacred power of the temple alleviated all impurities.
Through Khmer Empire to Kingdom of Cambodia, Hinduism to Buddhism, Angkor Wat saw changes and revolution. Every eroded corner, extended tree roots and even bullet holes from the Cambodian Civil War and Cambodian Genocide that took million of lives tell a story of what the country has been through. As the first beam of light shines through behind the temples, I witness an eternal sunshine.
