Seth Barnes Sep 4, 2011 8:00 PM

Fantastic Cambodia

My life moves too fast and is often too serious. I go to these places where tragedy is rampant. It's AIDS and orphans in Swaziland, earthquake victims...

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My life moves too fast and is often too serious. I go to these places where tragedy is rampant. It's AIDS and orphans in Swaziland, earthquake victims in Haiti and the trafficking of little girls in Cambodia. The work we do rescuing them is serious and emotionally exhausting.

So I like to discover what's great about a country too. Here in Cambodia, there's so much that's awesome.

Yesterday, for instance, we spent the morning touring Angkor Wat, ruins that rank with Macchu Picchu in terms of sheer spectacle. Seeing the way the banyan trees wrap around the Tomb Raider ruins was amazing. The thousand year-old temple complexes are incredibly ornate.

And at a time when everything you hear about the economy is discouraging, a dollar stretches further here than just about anywhere. A few examples:

Tuk-tuk for 5 people for half a day touring Angkor Wat: $10

3 tailored shirts: $30

Designer eyeglasses: $34

Nice hotel: $35

1 whole red snapper at a top-rated restaurant: $6

Fish foot massage: $1

Every country is broken in different ways but also has its redemptive qualities. Sometimes reading the news, all I can see is what's broken in America, but like Cambodia, there's lots to love.

What countries do you love and what do you love most about them?

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