Why I come back to Cambodia
I find myself wanting to return again and again.
Coach B
12/10/20242 min read
You know if I’m taking the time to think about what makes a great holiday, the things that come to mind are: relaxation, adventure, amenities, beauty, and maybe some really good food. Now, when I think back on all the times that I’ve gone to Cambodia I can honestly say that the above Criteria for a great holiday don’t always get hit. However, I find myself wanting to return there again and again.
The strange draw created in me a desire to look back at the experiences I’ve had the people I’ve met, the things I’ve done, and the reasons I have for traveling back to Cambodia. I understood from the outset that my trips to Cambodia were not about holiday, so my expectations weren’t necessarily for going to have a relaxing time. I don’t want you to get me wrong, for the right price, you can find great amenities in Cambodia, and if you love Southeast Asian cuisine really decent food is available for all travelers. There’s places of adventure, beautiful nature, and one can have a great and relaxing time amongst other peaceful tourist and wonderful locals that are willing to serve with a smile.
So what then is it about Cambodia that brings me back? If I had to narrow it down to just one word, I guess that word would just be “love”. I can honestly say that I don’t love the location of Cambodia, or the food of Cambodia, or even the resorts. But, I can wholeheartedly say that in my few times of traveling there, I’ve been overwhelmed with compassion and love for the Cambodian people, and most importantly the Cambodian youth. There are stories that will break your heart, but there are also smiles that will warm it, as well as an opportunity every single day to make a meaningful impact on a life.
Admittedly, the thing that first took me to Cambodia was the game of football. Something as simple as running a football camp for my kids and other others in our team, and giving them the opportunity to interact with other Cambodian kids for just a week. But it was during that short time, I was able to see lives changed, eyes opened, hearts touched, smiles brought, tummies filled, and needs met. How often can you say that about every place you go? How many times can you wake up in the morning and know that you’ll be able to help someone that day? Not just our group, but a great joy each time is spending time getting to know other people who have been in Cambodia and dedicated their lives to helping and loving the Cambodian people.
While walking through the compound of Angkor Wat, I could be overwhelmed by a culture and a civilization that dedicated its resources to building structures that reflect their values as well as display the wonders of their wealth and intellectual prowess. But the opulence that was once the hallmark of the Khmer people and the jewel in the Angkor Kingdom are long gone and generations of exploitation and struggle have bankrupted a culture of its richness and dumped poverty on the fringes of its own fertile landscape. That’s where you can truly find a new type of tourism that goes beyond relaxation or even sport, and discover the immensely rewarding experience of loving your fellow man in a way that resonates in your life even more so than the lives of the individuals you fall in love with along the way. That’s what took me back to Cambodia, and what draws me to return again.
