Or, A Cambodian Style Sunset!!!!
While a sunrise is quite symbolic of new beginnings, a fresh start and all things good; having witnessed both the Sunrise and the Sunset on many occasions from many different settings, I've come to the conclusion that sunsets are just truly magical.On Monday evening, I arrived at the left lotus pond just outside the Angkor Wat Temple. The sunset itself is opposite the temple so you're not looking directly at it, but every minute between 5:15 and 6:0pm, the setting sun changes the colors of the temple walls and its reflection in the pond.
On Tuesday, I went down to the Tonlé Sap, the largest fresh water river in South East Asia and sat out on the edge of a boat watching the sun set in a distant horizon. I felt like the only person in the world at the moment - just me and the setting sun.
On Wednesday, I sprinted full speed up the Phnom Bakheng. A climb that normally takes 15-20 mins, took me just under 10; as I was late and didn’t have a second to loose… cause yes, a setting sun doesn't wait for you. When I reached the top of the mountain, I could see Angkor Wat in a distance and on the other side the Tonlé Sap. The sun sets somewhat inbetween both these in a far far distance and all you can see are miles of land between you and the sun as it changes the landscape of everything around from a golden orange to red to a bluish purple just as it disappears.
I don’t know what it is about the sunset that makes me feel so at peace and so reassured of all things good in this world. Symbolically a setting sun might indicate an end and yes, as the sun set each evening it gave me time to look back on the day and reflect on things gone by as we near the end. That’s when I realized to me the setting sun indicates a period of darkness and a new beginning just around the corner.
(Alternate translation: The end of one great experience, back to work and new adventures up ahead)
