Angkor Wat Local Customs

Be prepared to be overwhelmed by children selling whatever they can when you drive up, They are selling to make money because the country is so poor, so if you see something you like get it, get it quick and get on your way to the temple. They are like any good salesman, they don't take no for an answer. They are not allowed on the grounds so you only have to run the gauntlet twice.

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It is easy to forget that the temples are places of worship and not just tourist attractions. I did see some people asking monks to move out of the way so that they could get a better picture or even try to get the monks to pose for a shot. This disappointed me as it is their country and their temples and we are merely visitors, irrespective of whether we are paying or not.

It can be really exasperating to keep saying no to the souvenir peddlers. So, speaking to them in Khmer will definitely make them smile in the face of rejection.

"No, thank you" is "Ah Tay, Or Kun"
"I don't wish to buy" is "Or Tin Tei"
"Please do not be angry" is "Som Metta Tom Kang Ai"

And I picked up the above tips from a kid who was trying to sell me a guide book! (Verified with my tuk tuk driver of course)

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During out visit in 1997, there was still a village in Angkor Thom with houses on stilts, sugar and beer making activity, ox carts, and hair being cut. The villagers were very friendly and happy to have us visit them. I declined a taste of the beer though.

Nowadays, there are enough public toilets all around Angkor Thom and its sights. But you might not be a 100% sure how to use them... That's where the sign on the pic comes in handy - at least I was finally sure what to do! *lol*

Thanks to the dark history of the Khmer regime, a lot of the locals are victims of land mines. You can see them trying to make a living playing traditional musical instruments on most entrance of the temples in Siem Reap. If I'm not wrong, some of them can make music out of some leaves or something. It's rather amazing. And the music is good, you can buy their CD too!

I did say the saleskids are very persistent, didn't I? Well, you get the idea. This little girl just wouldn't leave us alone. We sat there, enjoying the beautiful sunset on Angkor Wat. (In a way feeling bad writting about it now, we ignored her) Minutes later, she ran off to play with other kids. Thank god. I was just about to give in!

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Angkor Wat is full of monks, some of them are very friendly and want to chat, others want to share a cigarette. Young cambodians guys have to be for some time in their lives monks, that happens when they are around 20 years.