sandstone-bas-relief

sandstone-bas-relief
Originally uploaded by honeybeealtman.

Today we all went to the Cambodian Artisans School. It is a place where the skills and culture lost during Pol Pot time are reclaimed and taught. It was fun for me to watch bas relief sculpture, since I like to do it myself, but it was a little sad for me too, because the subject matter was all the motifs I've seen at the temples. There was no innovation happening. There was a gift shop at the school whose proceeds help support the institution, but the prices were klii na--too expensive.

Afterwards we stopped at the Siem Reap market. It had everything from food to gold. There was a room where all the jewelry sales booths were. The products were totally encased in glass and the room was dark and long. As I walked down the aisle, the sales women were quick to turn the lights on in there glass cases, always just as I passed in front. They were quicker to turn off the lights as i moved on. I imagine it must have looked like I was glowing, seeing as the light followed me where ever I went. I only had 17 dollars and I would never buy anything too expensive anyway, because they'd totally rip me off.

Today I learned how to say "dao sarea" to the beggar children--"go to school." I also learned come, come--"mao, mao" and hurry--"luen, luen," and right now--"ai lau."

I ended up buying a couple of Cambodian stringed instruments. I don't know what they are called, but they are played with a horse hair bow like a little cello. I was making quite a noise in the market, trying them all out to see which ones had the best tone.

Tomorrow we are travelling six hours to Batambang, where the aunties live. I have to go and write a grant proposal now. Talk tomorrow or the next day.