Simple yet Complex

There was a plot of land next to The Global Child School building that sat unused. Covered in trees, shrubs, weeds and garbage this piece of land would have been perfect for a park, soccer field, volleyball court or any other type of outdoor space. Today, this space is in a constant state of construction. Over the last few days I have watched as men and women have worked tirelessly to clear this land to make way for the erection of a building. No longer do tall trees stand soaking in the mid-day sun. No longer are there tall grasses and full, beautiful bushes. These things have been replaced by the shouts of men working, the sounds of axes hitting the ground and the silence of the afternoon nap break. 

There are many other familiar sounds associated with construction sites. However, most of those sounds will be absent at the neighboring build. The roar of engines, hum of power tools and deafening blow of heavy machinery will not be echoing in the ears of those in the surrounding area. Instead, it will be the sound of hand tools, dripping sweat and hard work that will ultimately drive this construction site to its final goal. I have already witnessed much of this first hand as those hired to clear the land very efficiently cut down many trees, dug many holes and burned anything that they could not use. (For those out there who are questioning the environmental impact of this construction I assure you that each tree cut down will be used to erect scaffolding, etc.)

In a city that is in love with wifi, cell phones and suped up cars it is easy to forget that you live in a place which still operates in ways that Westerners would classify as being from the past. Construction, among other things, is done through the hard and intensive work of people. Machines are too expensive and, for the most part, don’t fit in to the Cambodian way of life. People here create things with their hands and are satisfied when the work they have done is complete knowing that their own energy went in to the structure in front of them. 

Watching the construction workers from the second story of The Global Child has been an interesting and strangely eye-opening experience. At some point between observing the men burn piles of unnecessary items and struggling to keep the attention of nine girls in English class, I realized that these two scenes speak volumes about life in this country. It can only be said one way: life here is incredibly simplistic but yet extremely complex.

On one hand you have people using the techniques and ways of the past that have always worked during the building process to create something tangible. On the other hand, you have me. An American attempting to teach nine girls from all different backgrounds, households and situations English so that they may one day have the opportunity to succeed in life. Simple yet complex.

On one hand there are restaurants/street vendors that cook wonderful food using a single burner and limited ingredients. On the other hand Siem Reap is home to some extremely expensive restaurants that serve some of the finest and most delicious cuisine in the entire world. Simple yet complex.

On one hand there are men who sit in the street or around a little table and drink cheap beer after a long day of work. On the other hand there are those who indulge in lavish cocktails at famous bars on Pub Street. Simple yet complex.

Here in Siem Reap I am surrounded by a simple way of life that contains a complex core. Life here is easy but challenging all at the same time. I get up, I go to school, I come home, I go for a run, I eat dinner, I sleep…simple right? I get up and bike to school to be a teacher, something I have never done before. I stand in front of classrooms of students who have a desire to learn and I am expected to provide them with an education. I work hard to plan lessons that are both informative and fun. I am asked questions that I sometimes don’t know how to answer. I am an English teacher and a role model…complex right?

I have only been in Siem Reap for three weeks and am by no way an expert on anything Cambodian. All I know is that this place and, more importantly, these people have provided me with an understanding of how life should be lived.

Life should be simple: You should love the things you do, love the people around you and live every day with a goal of creating something with your own hands and energy.

Life should also be complex: Engage with people who challenge your mind, work hard to achieve success and strive to overcome any obstacles put in your way.

Most importantly, make sure you smile.

The perfect balance of this, I have been shown, is the Cambodian way of life.