This is the second and the last part.
If there’s one thing I genuinely enjoyed during my trip, it's taking photos of these kids. They breathe life into the surroundings. They gave meaning to what I have seen. Talking to them and knowing a piece of their stories has mostly been enriching, being with them has been rewarding.
I put them together because these two, although related (they are sisters if I am not mistaken) came from two opposite sides of the pole. The girl at the right speaks good English, knows good marketing style (without being too vulgar about it) and is remarkably interesting and witty to talk to. The other girl on the other hand, tells another story. She probably hated me for not buying postcards from her and making her pose for a photograph. I told her I have those postcards already but she insisted I buy another one. When I said no, she gave me a sullen glance and a smirk, which is okay. hehe. They are both cute nonetheless.
We've met the girl on the left carrying a baby (of a friend, not hers) during one of our stop overs on the way to Pre Rup temple. She strikes me as a very jolly person, not minding carrying the baby for her friend. The boy on the right sells postcards while we wait with our tuk-tuk driver. The moment I aimed the camera, he gave us the smile.
Kids we met inside the temple. I love the way they smile to strangers. The half-naked kid on the right looks like he's unaware I am taking his photo. He's on top of the tower, near one of the lion guards. The weather seems to get to him.
The girl on the left, I met her during our visit to Preah Ko (Rolous Group). I love the sad, hefty look in her eyes. She was sad because I didn't buy her postcards. But she still managed to give me a smile. The boy on the right, we found him making some drawings from a torn pages of a notebook, we met him in Bantaey Srei.
Two beautiful girls. They are part of the group of kids we met in a nearby village on our way to Bantaey Srei.
Young vendors on our way to visit the surrounding temples in Angkor.
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[Postscripts:]
I joined the 10-mile marathon yesterday. My time is not that impressive (2:05) but since this is my first official attempt in joining a long run, I guess it will do for now. My two colleagues Alex and Eric have been training hard for it and I am also proud for these guys. Alex's time is impressive considering he just started joining in July. Eric is just a second away from me. But he has an injury on his knee. But I am happy to finish it. I never even thought I would finish it. I hope my next record would improve. I need to do better next time. Our next aim is to run the 21 km. Jesus, I hope I am not killing myself for this. Hehe! Pushing one's limit has always been our goal.
I went to see the Golden Compass yesterday (yea, right after I joined the marathon in the morning). I just feel like watching a movie to relax my muscle. Yea right. Besides, the movie house was damn cold. I wanted to snooze in there because it was hot outside. I don't know anything about the movie. I know that Daniel Craig (one of the most handsome guy to grace the Hollywood screen) is in it. I know Nicole Kidman is in it too. Other than that, I know nothing. Not until I read this review in the newspaper which tagged it as controversial because apparently some people are calling the movie an anti-Christ. What the heck? I watched it last night and calling it an anti-Christ was the least thing on my mind. Anwyay, I am glad the MTRCB didn't think it's an anti-Christ film (just like Harry Potter). And I quote Laguardia: "There’s nothing anti-Christ in Golden Compass". Some people will use the hype to earn a few more bucks, tsk, tsk.
8 comments:
You didn't learn those kids to do the "I am pogi" sign? ;-)
Nice portraits!
Congrats for the 10-mile marathon... I will cover (make a photo series) about the 21 km marathon ! ;-)
It is amazing that even though life is hard for them they still manage to smile and live life as it is. Not everyone can do that. However, it's really sad that poverty is so bad that they don't have a chance to enjoy the prettier side of life and their childhoods may remains hefty. Anyway, they inspire me; these kids.
(:
Congratulations on completing the run! And all the best for the next one ate.
these children reminds me of the children at the philippine's countryside.
Wow, these kids are simply beautiful. Amazing, how such poor conditions can produce such beauty. But then I guess this is BS what I'm saying here, why shouldn't it?
Great portraits, Rayts, you are really good at this.
I saw Perfume on Saturday, great film. My wife brought the DVD some weeks ago. I went to the video store to rent Million Dollar Baby, but they only had a version for sale. It cost 20 euro and I found a version in eBay for 7,5 euro, postage included. So I ordered a brand new copy through eBay.
Hey, I'm finally checking out your photos in Cambodia. Wow! Now, I'm looking at these kids in a different light. Galing talaga ng portraits mo.
Congratulations on your marathon. There was a half-marathon at the Angkor grounds last December 2. Join it next year.
Hey, sobrang enjoy ako having you and Mariko here!
Naku, nakakatuwa at nakaka-awa ang mga bata dyan at the same time. Although great they learn english early at their youth, most of them were for begging or selling their goods. pero merong isa kaming na encounter na bata na nag bebenta ng postcards na sobrang kulit not to the point of annoying but the conversation was so fun kasi naglolokohan lang kami. hehehe
I have still yet to watch those movies you mentioned. Gusto ko panoorin yung Golden Compass at Batanes!
sidney,
oh yea, the 'i am pogi sign' haha. i have totally forgotten about it. but they do the peace sign by instinct so i guess that would do it. about the marathon, i thought i saw you in there. ;-) there were photographers covering the event, big cameras. i wanted to ran to their side and take photos instead of joing the marathon. you'll cover the 21km? haha. yea right. i will see you there. i can spot you. but it's difficult to spot me.
kyels,
just the other night Oki told me that these kids are not that 'unfortunate' in the real sense of the word as most of them go to schools. that is where they learn to speak English. the unfortunate thing I guess comes with the fact that they have to work to support their studies and their family at such a young age.
rey,
oh yea, except for the language and some beliefs and traditions, the children here are pretty much on the same page as the children in Cambodia.
peter,
you always seem to find 'beauty' in everything. pretty, pretty people. not totally a BS. but yea, these kids are pretty.
Oh hi Toe!
haha. sa wakas nabuhay ka na uli. uy congrats sa Nanowrimo mo ha. thanks...so you're running too? at mag-half marathon ka na? wow pare ang lufet mo ah. actually, natatakot pa akong sumali sa half-marathon kaya nag-try muna ako ng 10-mile (16km) tapos try uli ng 10km for pacing. then yung 21km na. hay, sana ma-improve ko naman ang record ko. hindi naman ako last pero kakahiya if you belong to the back of the pack. uy thank you din sa pag-accomodate mo sa amin ni Oki (Mariko). Will do a separate entry on that. So far, nasa Siem Reap pa din ako, hahaha!
Ferdz
tama ka. makulit sila in a good way. i mean if you really sit down with them and listen to their stories, you will learn a lot. Onga take a break and watch movies. I am sure ma-enjoy mo Batanes, nakapunta ka na sa Sabtang Island di ba?
Well, 3.5 is actually around 70%, if you do the conversion, so it is more than just a passing grade. It’s probably an “A” in most of the education system. Besides, I rarely give up to 4 for books, unless I deem it a “must read”, at which I might even give up to 4.5 or the book. Then, there are also books which I didn’t bother to review, unless I want to warn my readers. Haha.
So 3.5 is actually quite a lot :D
Anyway, I love the girl with the pink flower looking shyly at the camera. It reminds me of the way Princess Diana would look at her audiences.
Well, I didn't watch Golden Compass, because the whole thing seems to scream "C.S. Lewis", although it is not. I shoulda watched "Enchanted" instead of "The Tattooist". Yea, I'm still moping over it...lol
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