The Wonder of Angkor Wat

I assume many people in America know slim to nothing about Cambodia; their best guess is that “it’s a country in Asia.” But what’s missing in their response is that Cambodia is the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat. “Angkor… what?” is one of the many bewildered responses I’ve received when telling my friends about what makes my country special. Angkor Wat might not seem like the typical vacation spot, like the London Bridge or the Eiffel Tower, but sometimes the saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover” is valid.

Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, is one of the most beautifully built mausoleums in stone by humankind and is the heart and soul of Cambodia. Its sublime stone architecture reflects the cosmological scheme of the Hindu mythology. As you enter through the front gate and make your way towards the main temple, the pathway is embedded between two rivers on either side. Your eyes are drawn to all different directions as you are trying to absorb the magnificent architectural aesthetic of the religious temple. You see where the pathway is paved with cracked sandstone, and along your journey, nature calls out to you. The wide tree-lined pathways has stunted palm trees running parallel to the pathway; eye-catching bright green grass nods in the mellow, humid wind. Suddenly, you catch sight of monkeys skedaddling away up the trees. Then you see the elephants in the room –literally – lazily standing with droopy eyes as they wait for tourist passengers. You pass through the elaborate gate of the outer wall, where it opens up to the main temple, rising out of the dense foliage. Standing there, you are dumfounded at its form, stature and its wide dimensions-- there is a moment of silence to celebrate how manpower could have built such a dream.

To fully see Angkor Wat and grasp its complexities and beauty, one must make a trip down to Cambodia and visit Angkor Wat once in their life. Walking through the myriad of corridors within this abandoned temple awakens your soul, as you will learn to appreciate the rich history of Cambodia and its people.

Sreymich lives in sunny side California and attends John Marshall High School as a junior. Currently she is going through a phase of discovering her passion. From interning for Tomas O’Grady City Council Campaign to volunteering at her local hospital and now writing for Her Culture blog, Sreymich's interests vary across a wide spectrum and she loves it! Sreymich has been on my school volleyball team for two years now where she has a love-hate relationship with the sport. When Sreymich is not studying for the SAT, she loves hiking, going to the beach (even though she can't swim), is slightly addicted to watching Youtube vlogs, and strumming obnoxiously on her ukulele. Carbs (bread, cookies, muffins, all kinds!) makes Sreymich happy, but so does staying fit. After high school, she hopes to do something great and give back; travel and go zip lining through the Amazon Rainforest.