What Cambodia Taught Me About Silence | Our Travellers Stories

Today, Maria shares her Hands on Journeys story after joining us in Cambodia. A lesson in silence and true presence…

Cambodia has taught me a lot about silence. Maybe, it is because lately, I’ve been paying much more attention to the importance of pausing, listening and not rushing to speak. Or maybe, because I’m finally beginning to grasp why we’ve been gifted with two ears and just one mouth.

In today’s world, it’s not uncommon to perceive silence as an uncomfortable gap between spoken words. And sure it can get awkward at times, but does it have to though?

What I’ve discovered for myself during the Hands on Journeys tour, is that silence in presence can be powerful. It’s embracing. It allows space for acceptance.

Soul level connections are born in such silence.

And I would like to give you bit more context on why I’ve come to believe so by telling you about the 24 hours we spent at the remote village of about 300 people just outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

We arrived at the village around 9am and as part of our give back initiative with Hands On Journeys, our group’s job was to try out the freshly introduced “homestay concept”, play with kids and install a couple of water filters.

To some of you, this might sound like an easy task. But for those of you who’ve been to less traveled parts of Southeast Asia, you know that it’s not. Clean water, proper housing and sanitary facilities are a luxury at the place we stayed at. Cultural immersion at its finest is what it was.

If I were to describe the experience in one word, I would say it was stretching. Physically, emotionally and spiritually eye-opening.

And of course silence… Silence played a big role in that stretch.

When we first arrived at our house, the son of our host parents (who was the only person speaking English) wasn’t there. We had no choice but to communicate in body language, and smiles. Surprisingly, we got comfortable with each other quite quickly, just after a couple of shared hugs and giggles. All of us could feel the love. And I know for myself, that in that moment, I was accepted for who I am.

Later in the day, after we finished painting a freshly installed toiled that one of the poorest families was blessed with, we gathered all the kids for a bit of a fun time in the middle of the village.

Like all kids, a lot of them were shy at first. But it didn’t take much convincing. Eye contact, a warm smile and a stretched out hand was all it took. We were dancing, playing games and acting silly in no time. It was truly a wonderful experience. 

Maria in Cambodia

The next morning, we woke up at 3am to attend a festival called Pchum Ben held at the local Pagoda. Long story short, our group was invited to come all the way to the front by the head monk of 3rd rank. None of us really knew what was going on. All we knew was that it was an honor, and that we were being appreciated, blessed and respected by the village, its elders and monks.

There wasn’t much translation that morning, just a lot of silent eye contact and cheeky smiles. Minimal gestures, maximum connection. The presence of people around us was as overwhelming, as it was enlightening.

As I write this… I can think of so many more magical moments spent in silence: taking a nap while surrounded by at least a dozen of cows, enjoying the lightning from the rooftop of the only school at the village, taking a boat to one of the host family’s fish farms…

And as we said our goodbyes that day and started heading back to our luxurious hotel with hot showers and happy hour drinks, I wondered… Why do we speak so much? Is that what society expects us to do? Or is it because we are uncomfortable in silence? Or could it be because we are uncomfortable with ourselves?

We spent our ride back in silence.

11 travellers, same village, same task, very different experiences. All of us carrying a strong sense of gratitude for what just happened. Taking it all in. Quietly.

One doesn’t need to speak in order to make an impact. We all speak one language, one of love and unity. We just seem to forget it sometimes…

Thank you, Cambodia and Hands On Journeys, for teaching me how far heart-centered presence and silence can go.