Trip to Siem Reap was more than just an ordinary trip.
“Lady, buy something.. I have many books”
“Sorry, no”
“Why no?”
Do i really need to explain why????
I tried to behave with my utmost courtesy to those little kids. Of course i said NO because i didn’t want and i didn’t need the items they were selling. Plus the transaction was in dollars. I couldn’t afford to spend money liked I used to. RM 3 versus US$3… Huhu.. With the scenario of weakening ringgit, of course I had to be a bit calculative. I would only buy items that would benefit my family and me. . .
I am not going to babble on and on about the wrongness of their behavior. They were not begging for money, just that their persistency and persuasiveness annoyed me very much. Maybe I was a bit over-reacted.. InsyaAllah if there is another visit to Siem Reap, i will be more prepared emotionally and economically. Honestly, the scenario was totally alien to me as I never bumped into this kind of kids at my home land. Being in Siem Reap made me realize how lucky I am.Segalanya serba cukup. Di Malaysia, tiada kanak-kanak tempatan yang berkeliaran siang malam berjualan seperti di sini.
I also observed the patience of Tuk Tuk driver of this alien country. They patiently waited for their passengers for hours and hours for a return trip so that they can earn double pay. If I count it correctly, there were hundreds of Tuk Tuk on the road willing to carry the tourist. Unfortunately there are also other modes of transportation that needs to compete with Tuk Tuk such as bus, car and bicycle. Defy all odd, they did their best to survive. And me? I should be thankful to God for all His bounty upon my country and my family.
We bestowed (in the past) Wisdom on Luqman: “Show (thy) gratitude to Allah.” Any who us (so) grateful does so to profit of his own; but if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, Worthy of all praise. – Luqman, 12
(Tidak seperti pemandu taxi di Malaysia yang tak kering dengan rezeki, di tambah pula dengan subsidi gas asli yang ditampung untuk meringankan beban. Dari KL Sentral ke KLIA, pemandu taxi mengenakan charge RM80 ke atas, padahal kos bahan api yang diperlukan sepanjang perjalanan itu kurang dari RM10. Kos menyewa taxi pula, tak sampai RM50. Tak percaya, tanya diorang… Ok, enuff~)
Alhamdullah, we were destined to meet a Muslim girl working at hotel’s kitchen to show us the qiblat as soon as we checked in.. On the 1st day, we spent about US$50 for Halal food. (US$50 equals to RM175). It was even higher than KLCC rate. Seriously, i didn’t know whether I could cope with the high living cost throughout the journey. I was thinking of fasting to prevent myself from eating.
And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah; And Allah is full of kindness to (His) devotees. – Al-Baqarah, 207
Thanks God, the next day, we accidentally ran into Razak, an owner of a Muslim restaurant. After a very pleasant and cheap lunch for US$15, he introduced us to Yusuf. So from now onward, we were officially accompanied by a dedicated Muslim TukTuk driver named Yusuf. About 95% of Siem Reap’s population is Buddhist. We were very blessed indeed to find a Muslim driver despite of the scarcity. He rode a made-in-Malaysia motorcycle (Kris) to cart 4 of us around the city. Due to the heavy load, we caused the of the Kris-pull-cart’s wheels to go flat. I wondered what went wrong. By the way, I am not that heavy.. I strongly believe, it was someone else..
Siem Reap offers a lot of silk material to bring back to my beloved country. I bought lots of cushion covers and long scarf for my mum and sisters. I’m glad she said “Mak dah plan tahun ni nak beli sarung kusyen sutera ni, tapi kat Kamdar mahal sangat. Raye tahun depan, boleh la mak guna” with a smile carved on her face. She never told me she what she wants, but as a daughter, finding out and fulfilling mum’s hidden desire is very much meaningful than the whole wide world. I also shopped for my favorite auntie and cousins. Now, what left for me is the fond memories of Siem Reap..
And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), “Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal. – (Luqman, 14)
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