I had high expectations of the Angkor Wat Temple, being that it is not only one of the Seven Wonders of the World but the largest religious monument in the world.  After arriving at our hotel in Seam Reap, Cambodia, we were given one hour to relax (after ten days of straight traveling) before heading to the Angkor Wat Temple for our last sunset of the year 2008.  We gathered our sunscreen, hats, lots of water and of course our scarves to keep what was left of the sun off our necks, but more importantly the mosquitoes and pollution away from our faces.  As we drove through the gates the only sight out my window was dirt roads, trees and tuk tuks (Cambodian taxis aka auto rickshaws) each lined with beautiful textiled silks and passengers also covering their faces with scarves.  It was amazing to me the contrast of how in America scarves are seen as an accessory to keep warm but in South East Asia the scarf is a necessity to keep from breathing in the pollution.  Finally, ten minutes later we pulled up to the front of the Angkor Wat Temple.  I knew we had arrived due to the crowds of people waiting around as well.  As I stepped off of the bus, I was immediately swarmed by Cambodian children selling accessories—scarves, bracelets and necklaces.  One of them, Vy wanted me to purchase five bracelets for one dollar, but, I was speechless at the sight of the temple and was very distracted.  Vy could tell and said she would find me later.  The temple was amazing.  Never in my life have I’ve seen something of the magnitude, or as famous as this temple complex.  Built 1113 to 1150 AD, this is the supreme masterpiece of Khmer architecture.   The walkway to the entry gate of the temple complex was brimming with distracted tourists and monks (the temple houses a very active Buddhist community) draped in oversized scarves just like the Buddhist statues in the temple.  As we made our way through, the physical beauty, enormity, and sprawling nature of grounds was simply awe-inspiring.  It was hard to imagine how these monuments were constructed with such crude tools.  As the sun began to set we made our way out of the temple.  Once we got through the exit and back on the crowded tourist walkway I turned around one last time.  All I kept thinking was, “I wonder what it looked like when it wasn’t a ruin.”   My last sunset of the year 2008 couldn’t have been more memorable than seeing it in the context of this amazing temple. As I walked away, I tightened up the scarf over my face and counted the twenty bracelets I purchased from Vy for four American dollars.  I had seen the sun set over one of the 7 wonders of the world and marveled at the tenacity of one little girl.  - Lindsey