Angkor Wat | when travelers can't come

I visited Angkor Wat in 2006 and toured this ancient temple complex with a friend. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, Angkor Wat is just one of many memorable sites around Siem Reap. The image below comes from the ancient city of Angkor Thom.

While the Covid-19 lockdown has caused economic distress for us in the United States and Europe, it has brought utter devastation to the Third World. So many Cambodians depend upon tourism for their entire livelihood. When tourists can't come, they face unimaginable suffering. That's subject of video at the top of this article. In its words, 

The temples of Angkor have stood for a thousand years, and the local villagers are the descendants of the God Kings of old. For now, their world stands still, their income has dried up, and there is no state support system to catch their fall. Remember Angkor, remember Cambodia and remember the Khmers you once met in this small country with a big heart. They will be waiting with open arms.

It's a matter of perspective. For me, travel is a passion, an activity that brings me so much personal pleasure. But for so many millions of people around the world, our travels are the source of their very livelihood. Please remember them!

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