Our day began before sunrise along the banks of Kampong Tralach on the Tonle Sap River. The morning was cool and humid, with a faint mist veiling the distant fields. With makeshift steps carved into the clay, we climbed the embankment and met up with our morning transportation – a column of ox carts to take us for a ride through the rice fields. Like rice agriculture, these utility vehicles are an enduring part of Khmer agrarian life. When we arrived at the Green School, we learned how this community organization is empowering rural youth with English language and computer skills. And we had fun and games along the way!
As the day continued, the Jahan headed further upstream through narrow side channels of the river. We passed fisherman, farmhouses, ferries, and irrigation pumps. The afternoon saw us pulling ashore at Kampong Leaeng, a district which is partially inundated during the wet season. Temporary shelters are erected along the river, where freshwater fish are caught, processed, and smoked. During our afternoon tuk tuk ride through the countryside, we learned about two more timeless rural traditions – earthenware pottery production and the harvesting of juice from the sugar palm.
