A New Day, A New Year

As I sat with 200 other world travelers by the lily pond in front of the west gates of Angkor Wat, I let the year slide by me. The sun was due to rise at 6:30am.

There was a quiet chatter, until a tour group from PRC China stomped their way to the front of the pond, regardless of who had already set up their cameras. They pointed, waved, and generally paid no attention to their surroundings.

I gently tapped one on her shoulder, "could you please sit down and talk lower?"

I got a look that went through me to the next person behind me. She generally could care less.

After someone else told her group to quiet down and to sit, they finally got the message.

Back to finding bliss at the sunrise. As I watched the sunrise over the far right tower, I looked back at this year. As many twists and turns as other years, but there was something determined about those twists and turns. Decisions were made that benefited the whole, not the individual; choices made that were hard but laid foundation for the years to come. I was ready to see the new year with hope and the knowledge that I was prepared for what was to come because of the choices I made this year.

As the Chinese took their photos and left, I wondered how that small moment encapsulated their take on the world. It left me cold. But I was comforted in the fact that the people around them stood up and made them aware of their ill manners and they took note and made changes to fit in.

There is hope in the world when we stand together to benefit the whole rather than the individual wish to hog space at Angkor Wat at sunrise.

A happy new year to all, and all the blessings for a year that will bring hope and peace.

Image: Ophelia Chong / Angkor Wat Sunrise Dec. 29th