The Floating Village

Absolutely unbelievable!  My mind cannot rest because it is still swirling from blocks of color and reflecting light!  Last night, some of the guys from Sustainable Cambodia (SC) took us 'barangs' (the Khmer word for 'foreigners') out to the Floating Village that is located on Tonle Sap Lake.  When we first approached the entrance I was a bit worried because the poverty conditions were so harsh.  Thatched dwellings that looked like they were about to fall over were baking in the sun-- no trees or vegetation to seek refuge from the searing heat.  Trash was strewn everywhere and a few naked children were running about; the people were very poor.  An animated woman wearing a Chinese- style peasant hat was talking  with our SC guides and they were apparently working out some kind of arrangement.  Finally, we were led to some long, wooden boats that were on the shore.  I was surprised and relieved that we were going for a boat ride, away from the poverty and filth.
 

The boat driver started the motor and away we went into the direction of the great lake, the Tonle Sap!  The water appeared thick and greenish- brown, the result of algae and suspended sediment.
 

We crossed the lake and approached what appeared to be another village: a floating village!  As we got near, bright colors jumped out from every direction.  Maybe it was the brown water and the gray and weathered wood of the dwellings that illuminated the bright palette of flowers, clothing, fabric, plastic buckets, signage, and steel barrels. And it was amazing that the boats and floating houses were painted in bright decorative designs.  It was a scenery that displayed an appreciation for vibrancy and life!

The boat docked at a restaurant-- yes, it too, was floating--  and we all climbed on deck as we were greeted by a scrappy, but cute dog.  Chenda, our SC guide and gracious host, took charge and ordered drinks and food for the table and soon we were enjoying cold sodas and beer, sun- dried fish and shrimp, steamed clams, and noodle dishes with beef and egg.  Life was good!