Thursday 14 January 2016

A SOCK ON THE JAW - CAMBODIA

There are times when something happens on my travels which socks me on the jaw. When I visited Cambodia I met a bookseller in Siem Reap. He told me his story and I have never forgotten the impact it had on me.




I wrote a story based on that encounter and a shortened version was published on the Cafe Lit website and published in their Cafe Lit 3 anthology.



You can read the story

HERE

















I didn't take his photograph - it would have been too crass to ask his permission, so here are some other photos instead.





14 comments:

  1. That is an amazing story and so well told, thank you.

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    1. Thank you, Ros. The man I met carried a sense of sadness but also incredible dignity. I'm glad you liked the story, and thanks for visiting my blog.

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  2. I can see why that encounter had such an impact.

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    1. It really did, Patsy. I felt very humbled by it.

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  3. How many ruined lives? But not only in Cambodia, Susan. It's a sad world out there.

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  4. Yes, lots of sadness, Jo - but sometimes I think it's necessary to have a reality check every once in a while, and I've seen many uplifting things on my travels too to balance things out.

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  5. Oh my goodness it is hard to imagine the pain, emotional and physical he endured. I can very much see why this chance encounter has stuck with you Susan.

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    1. Thanks, Sue. I probably ought to highlight the fact that this story is fictional. I didn't question the real bookseller like my journalist in the story - he volunteered the information. Nor did the real man react with bitterness at my questions when we talked about what happened to him. :)

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  6. This is such a powerful and horrific story, Susan. I'm not surprised it stayed with you. We should be thankful every day of the life we have xxxx

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  7. Absolutely, Dianne. It's all too easy to forget to be thankful as we go about our own busy lives.

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  8. Thanks, Lizy. Both my husband and I walked away with tears in our eyes after talking to him.

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  9. Love your pictures! Your story is really powerful, Susan!

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    1. Thanks, Agness - and sorry it's taken me so long to publish your comment!

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Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.