I caught the World Cup final early morning between Italy & France during the extra time, and saw the moments leading to Zidane head-butting into Marco Materazzi like a rhinoceros. It was such an intense half and hour and I felt that I could emphatise with Zidane's moment of temper.
How often I have also felt the temper brewing in me and could only want to vent it out as a form of release and as a form of retaliation. No one knows what was transpired between the two opposing players but I guess, it must have exceeded Zidane's threshold. That he would throw his reputation and final match-before-he-retires performance into the wind with the unglorified act.
I thought his potential in winning the Golden Ball award would vanish with his act. However, it was great that despite his actions and being sent off from the match, he had won the Golden Ball award. What was more comforting was that the President of France, Jacques Chirac paid a tribute to him despite what happened. While everyone in Paris and in other parts of the world wonder what prompted him to head-butt a player, still, they acknowledged his efforts in bring France to the 2nd place and his contributions to France football.
No man is infallible and I am sure he is equally devastated to have to end his career on such a note. He may not even have regretted his actions as no one except the two players knew what happened. However, what is more praiseworthy is the forgiveness and praise that his countrymen and supporters have continued to show him. This would be a good consolation for him when he looked back on his career.
When I reflect upon what I can forgive and what I cannot control (my temper), I feel both guilty and grateful. Guilty that there are so many things I felt that I could not forgive and am often angry about and how intolerable my temper can be. Grateful that there is a new day to start afresh and that SL & my mother are always willing to accept me despite my temper bursts.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Cambodia Memories
Sights at Cambodia often came to my mind. I even dreamt about the face carvings in Siem Reap before I arrived there. Eerie, I thought at first, but I felt at ease when we reached.
Angkor Wat is clearly magnificient, with even more fascinating history to tell.
It's a pity such a country rich in culture and history has not developed as much as the other countries in South East Asia.
Our guide is Soeun Saron, which SL found over the internet. Saron is highly recommended at several sites, and true enough, he can speak good English and knows the background and the history of Siew Reap very well. We recommend him too. Attached link is his website with pictures of Angkor to share. Sorry, have not sorted our the pics we took, so did not upload them. We could not thank him and his driver enough for their warm hospitality and we wish them well.
The weather is very hot and dry in Siem Reap, too hot even for the people to work, especially when the sun is hottest from 12 noon to 3pm. During this period, the people like to have a short siesta after lunch and then work. Likewise, tours start again from 2.30pm until sunset.
Our itenary included mainly: Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat, Bayon, Angkor Thom, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Ta Som, Neak Poan, Preah Khan & Banteay Srei.
I especially liked Angkor Wat & The Bayon with the magnificient four face carvings at every tower. Ta Prohm clearly shows an architecture that had been overtaken by nature, with trees growing into its rocks and structures. Without the APSARA's efforts, nature would have engulfed these architectures. APSARA is the Authority for Protection and Safeguarding of Angkor ruins.
One point to note that is that children would run to you asking you to buy postcards or scarves. They do this after school to supplement their family's income. They are so cute and we often wonder how they can appear and disappear without your knowing.
We stayed at the Auberge Mont Royal hotel which serves good breakfast with homemade pineapple jam. The waiter told us that they cooked 10 kg of pineapple into 1 kg of pineapple jam. Imagine the richness of pineapple flavour in the jam.
We originally booked a Standard room but the hotel staff was kind enough to upgrade us to a Deluxe room at no additional cost. Cable channels are available which is a plus point as we can catch up on some TV during our siesta hours.
I enjoyed dinner time at the old Market (Phsar Chas), where there are sprawling restaurants everywhere. I especially loved Khmer Kitchen for its Amok Fish & its lemon grass tea. Amok dishes come in either chicken, fish or pork. Mmm, I miss the Amok dishes. Amok dishes are cooked in coconut milk and are not spicy.
Another highly recommended restaurant is The Red Piano and Blue Pumpkin. The Red Piano serves a free drink with a main dish and it is a good relief from the warm weather. It also provides a good view from its 2nd floor balcony. It looks out into the streets of Siem Reap with the few street lights. Romantic view.
Blue pumpkin serves good ice-cream and sherbet, all home-made. It has a good ambience and again provides a good hiding place from the merciless sun during the afternoons.
Siem Reap - a country so full of history, culture and architectural knowledge - its no wonder its one of the man-made wonders of the world.
Angkor Wat is clearly magnificient, with even more fascinating history to tell.
It's a pity such a country rich in culture and history has not developed as much as the other countries in South East Asia.
Our guide is Soeun Saron, which SL found over the internet. Saron is highly recommended at several sites, and true enough, he can speak good English and knows the background and the history of Siew Reap very well. We recommend him too. Attached link is his website with pictures of Angkor to share. Sorry, have not sorted our the pics we took, so did not upload them. We could not thank him and his driver enough for their warm hospitality and we wish them well.
The weather is very hot and dry in Siem Reap, too hot even for the people to work, especially when the sun is hottest from 12 noon to 3pm. During this period, the people like to have a short siesta after lunch and then work. Likewise, tours start again from 2.30pm until sunset.
Our itenary included mainly: Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat, Bayon, Angkor Thom, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Ta Som, Neak Poan, Preah Khan & Banteay Srei.
I especially liked Angkor Wat & The Bayon with the magnificient four face carvings at every tower. Ta Prohm clearly shows an architecture that had been overtaken by nature, with trees growing into its rocks and structures. Without the APSARA's efforts, nature would have engulfed these architectures. APSARA is the Authority for Protection and Safeguarding of Angkor ruins.
One point to note that is that children would run to you asking you to buy postcards or scarves. They do this after school to supplement their family's income. They are so cute and we often wonder how they can appear and disappear without your knowing.
We stayed at the Auberge Mont Royal hotel which serves good breakfast with homemade pineapple jam. The waiter told us that they cooked 10 kg of pineapple into 1 kg of pineapple jam. Imagine the richness of pineapple flavour in the jam.
We originally booked a Standard room but the hotel staff was kind enough to upgrade us to a Deluxe room at no additional cost. Cable channels are available which is a plus point as we can catch up on some TV during our siesta hours.
I enjoyed dinner time at the old Market (Phsar Chas), where there are sprawling restaurants everywhere. I especially loved Khmer Kitchen for its Amok Fish & its lemon grass tea. Amok dishes come in either chicken, fish or pork. Mmm, I miss the Amok dishes. Amok dishes are cooked in coconut milk and are not spicy.
Another highly recommended restaurant is The Red Piano and Blue Pumpkin. The Red Piano serves a free drink with a main dish and it is a good relief from the warm weather. It also provides a good view from its 2nd floor balcony. It looks out into the streets of Siem Reap with the few street lights. Romantic view.
Blue pumpkin serves good ice-cream and sherbet, all home-made. It has a good ambience and again provides a good hiding place from the merciless sun during the afternoons.
Siem Reap - a country so full of history, culture and architectural knowledge - its no wonder its one of the man-made wonders of the world.
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