Cambodia - Angkor Thom - Bayon IV - Cambodian smile

This is the face known as the 'Cambodian Smile'.  No idea why, although it was particularly ornate, and had extra loads of Frenchman crowding around it.  

It should be said that the Cambodians we met, who are statistically amongst the poorest folks in the world, were almost universally some of the most friendly, gracious, and hospitable people we've ever met.  They smiled like it came straight from the heart, and that's most uncommon these days.  The Cambodian people were truly what made our vacation to Cambodia most special and memorable.  

So if this particular statue is said to represent Cambodia for its warmth and welcoming nature, then we wholeheartedly agree.

Cambodia - Angkor Thom - Bayon III

There is one more particularly special picture of the Bayon which we'll show you tomorrow, but here are a few more that are especially interesting.

One is some folks fishing - not sure why fish carved into rock are so terribly engaging for me, but there it is - I'm a sucker for stone fish.

One is a woman who is bent into a most unlikely pose.  Draw your own conclusions.

And a couple are of the most amazing thing of all - the Bayon, with no other people around.  Did we mention it was teeming with less than perfectly polite Frenchmen?

Cambodia - Angkor Thom - Bayon II

So today we have the exciting sequel of the Bayon.  There are a few more particularly special pictures of the Bayon to show you after this, but today we'll focus on Bodhisattva heads and windows.

It should be understood that both of us had to wait in line to get pictures from this window, amongst some particularly urgent French folks with very French ways about them.  Yes, we care that much about getting you pictures like this.  Such sacrifice, such caring.  Remind anyone of Buddhist saints...?  We welcome all exclamations of thanks.

OK, so I'm not a Bodhisattva.  But darned if the smiling faces at the Bayon don't remind me of Sam when she's content.  And check out the carvings around that window!  

(perhaps now is a good time to mention that most carvings you see of the Angkor cities are in sandstone, which is not known as a particularly easy rock to carve, or, unfortunately for the Angkor legacy, to last through the ages)

Cambodia - Angkor Thom - Bayon I

The Bayon is at the center of Angkor Thom, and despite being somewhat warm in April, is terribly pleasant to visit.  It's to do with the faces - the happy, smiling, peaceful faces staring down at you from 54 multi-faced towers no matter where you are.  I read it's the face of a Bodhisattva - it's a Buddhist thing .  A Bodhisattva is not Buddha per se but a would-be Buddha who instead of realizing Nirvana sticks around to enlighten every other living being else first - in other words, a really, really nice guy.

Here you can see our approach to the temple, and Sam showing us what a tree-hugger she really is, and a few of the famous faces.  More to come...!