Pchum Ben, Heaven and Me

15 days it goes, every single person must go to at least one pagoda. It is tradition. For my family, we got rules, we must only go on the fourth and the sixth day of Pchum Ben. Elders prefer to go to seven pagodas which was followed in the early and mid 20th century.

They say we go and offer food to all that have left Earth, our relatives from many generations are believed to be waiting for the offer.

I'm on the way to Kampong Cham, not actually my hometown, but grandpa's. Waking up as the owl went to sleep, the sun hasn't risen yet, mom's cooking and dad's preparing. We finish as soon as the sun is up, foods and beverages ready to serve. Priority of being an early bird, no traffic, no noise, a peaceful way to destination.

Prek Leap, a peaceful quiet town, with a population of less than 2000, stands in the southern edge of Kampong Cham Province. A not well-known town with kind people living in a neighbourhood of small cafes, a barber shop and some grocery stores. 

I see people living their life happier than ever. Five years from now, there weren't brick houses, no electricity, no potable water, not even a proper road. With cooperation between the government and locals, everything has become better. Finally, I'm here, an hour later, gramps like nature really much. Quickly hopped off the car and shook hands with everyone. Smiling faces made the atmosphere way better, locals from all the corners came and said hello, welcoming us like never before. Moving on to pagoda, beautiful art work from every single edges of the walls to the ceiling, making us feel as if we are taken back into the past. I'm trying to control my excitement but couldn’t. I got to see the statue of Buddha, a million times bigger than the sculptures I've seen in Toul Tom Poung Market. I've been really enthusiastic and obsessed over Buddha sculptors and statues.

In addition, giving away money to those in need is always good as donating money to the pagodas only can’t help the community much. My family brought food not just for our relatives in heaven, but also for the locals. We made one big pot of Khmer Curry with all the ingredients from Toul Tom Poung Market. We had smoky hot bread served right away from the bakery rice-made noodles to go with the curry. 

Happy Pchum Ben