Angkor Wat, Devata and Apsara

Yes, I will admit it – I have and use a vision board… a huge board with no white space left since it is entirely covered by the places around the world I hope to travel to. It is constantly inspiring and calling to me, “Wander in Wonder!” (I am going to start selling T-shirts with that slogan! Let me know if interested!) When I began this “VB”, Angkor Wat was my very first image. I was so taken by its ancient beauty, its dance with nature in a far off exotic land. Built in the early 12th century in the classical style of Khmer architecture by King Suryavarman II. It is considered to be the largest religious temple in the world. Angkor Wat has become the recognized symbol of Cambodia with a depiction on the country’s flag. I can remember very clearly the exact moment when we came around the bend and I saw it for the first time. It took my breath away… I was finally here! Words for these moments are so inadequate because it is truly a moment for the heart and not the mind.

I came to learn of a mystery that exists and presently has many learned men and women trying to unravel. As stated on Devata.org researchers are exploring the question: “Why do images of powerful and creative women dominate the largest religious monument on Earth and what did they mean to the Khmer rulers, priests and people?” Within the temple, there are 1,796 sculptures of women realistically rendered in stone. Some are dieties known as devatas and others are apsaras known as the sacred dancers to the gods. I was amazed by the preservation of these beautiful images over centuries and the unique differences in facial characteristics.

Even though many questions still remain regarding the extent of the feminine forces in the design and empowerment of the Khmer society, as Devata.org puts it: “Many women of Southeast Asia are still blessed with the feminine beauty, power and spiritual harmony that the ancient Khmers honored.” “We have only to look and continue trying to understand” and I might add, live out dreams!

Cambodian Ingenuity

The dictionary defines ingenuity as the quality of being cleaverly inventive and resourceful. This seemed the perfect description for these Cambodian men…one for rest, several for entrepreneurial purposes.

The tuk tuk is a motorcycle which pulls a two wheeled cart with sofa like seats, a take on the taxi. The back of the seat can then be used for advertisements. While visiting the temples, this inventive driver attached a hammock to the roof of his tuk tuk and in the man made shade, enjoyed a short nap while his tourists were wandering through the ancient structure. I just happened to photograph this other driver smiling at me beause he was hoping for a fare and thought it funny in light of the writing directly underneath. I wondered if he was even aware of what was there.

The last scene caused me to be in awe of the strength and perseverance it must take for these men to ride bicycles weighed down with the coconuts…each weighing approximately two pounds. In the 88 degree heat, they could ride for miles hoping to sell the coconuts to those hungry and thirsty. BTW the coconut water contains of course water, simple carbohydrates and potassium…a healthy Cambodian sports’drink.

Cambodia: Fresh Water Clams Are A Street Delicacy

I can remember it distinctly… it was one of those “pinch me now” moments beause I was feeling so incredibly fortunate and grateful that somehow the stars must all be in alignment! Everything came together perfectly and here I was driving in a tuk tuk on the streets of Cambodia with a great friend and photographer whose work I truly admire. Riding the waves of exhilaration and my addiction to travel, I wanted to take it all in and not miss anything. It was then that I saw a woman walking the streets pulling a large cart covered in what seemed like large nuts or fruit. Over the next few days, I saw these pushcarts at every turn. It seemed to be endemic to Cambodia, but I was never close enough to really find out what was spread all across the metal tops. Finally, while sitting outside at a restaurant, there was a woman right across the street who happily explained it all to me.
Clams, the size of a fingertip, sit out to bake under the heat of the sun. They are marinated in oil, salt, garlic and red spices. While I was standing there, three people came to make a purchase. The woman gathered them up into a tin can for the right measurement and then poured them into a small plastic bag. Having a sensitive stomach, I have to admit that I did not try one, but from what I saw, many were enjoying this street snack and I walked away learning something new.

Cambodia: Kompong Pluk

A cluster of three floating villages of stillted houses make up the community of Kompong Pluk. Approximately 3000 people are inhabitants of households of wood, tin and bamboo. Fishing, primarily shrimp harvesting, is the foundation of their economy. Kompong Pluk is located within the floodplain of the Tonle Sap Lake and at this time of year, the only access is provided by a chartered boat from Chong Khneas which leads to comparitively few visitors.
Once there, our boat pulled up right outside a Buddhist Temple. Monks are just the nicest people to spend time with! Here we were unannounced and they could not have been nicer in spending time with us. Laughing, sharing and photographing…my kind of afternoon! On that day, life was pulsating in a slow and easy rhythm.

Bryn Athyn Cathedral

Chase Jarvis said, “The best camera is the one that’s with you.” A few weeks ago, I bought a Leica point and shoot…a great camera to carry everywhere to capture those surprise moments. This past Friday,was one of those times. I happened to be driving on Cathedral Road in Bryn Athyn, PA. I then saw a magnificent Gothic and Romanesque cathedral and postponed my original destination. This was just too beautiful to pass by. I needed to photograph it. The term sanctuary in the true sense of the word comes to mind. A sacred place of refuge. Paths meander through beautiful gardens. Benches are placed so one can just sit and take in the expansiveness. Silence is the catalyst to relaxation.
Bryn Athyn Cathedral is home to the largest New Church congregation and was funded by the industrialist, John Pitcairn in the early 1900’s. The New Church is based on the teachings of the Bible as illuminated by Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th century theologian and scientist. As their website states: “A notable feature of the Bryn Athyn Cathedral is the use of architectural refinements; intentional departures from vertical and horizontal straight lines (bends in elevation, curves in plan) in order to give a sense of life and movement to the building. This subtle quality represents the unpredictable path of human growth.” I was on that unpredictable path on Friday and it led to an hour of peace, relaxation and appreciation.

Kefi

This past weekend in NYC, my friends and I walked into a restaurant located at 505 Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side. This Greek restaurant with walls of white, dishes of blue and mosaics of waves in motion transported us to not only a place but also a spirit.  “Kefi” was the name chosen by the owners, Michael Psilakis and Donatella Arpaia, in order to capture “the bliss that accompanies bacchanalia”.  They succeeded…the food was delicious ! White zinfandel sangria, grilled octopus and the best tsoutsoukakia were only a few of the offerings.  I also became  caught up by the spirit of KEFI. About.com  states that this means one’s joy, passion, exuberance for life, one’s own style.  Can you picture Zorba dancing on the beach?!  So the rest of the weekend, with camera in hand, my focus became finding moments of kefi!  I hope you find yours today!

Philadelphia Mural Arts Program


In 1920, Robert Frost so eloquently urged us to think about the paths we travel in life. I cannot count the number of times I have driven around the city, in a hurry with a destination, hence just passing by the expansive murals that truly grace Philadelphia, missing an opportunity to engage more. Images, beautiful colors reflecting and inspiring transformation. This week, I chose to slow down, stop and take in the stories that each mural holds… “And that has made all the difference.”
Philadelphia is the mural capital of the world with over 3,300 paintings enlivening each neighborhood. Community involvement is a critical step in determining the appropriate theme to capture moments of greatness and celebration specific to that area. After taking the Northern Liberties’ tour, I decided to go back to this area to photograph the people because as Miguel Angel Ruiz said, “Every human is an artist.” “The dream of your life is to make beautiful art.” In Northern Liberties, both the hand and heart are creating art.