I wished I could capture it on camera but I knew nothingcould catch the awe-inspiring details except for my mind. The sheer power of the SE Asianmonsoon is a sight to be seen, to be heard, to smell. The humid morning watchesthe gray clouds roll into the city and by late afternoon, into the night, denserain envelopes as far as you can see. Standing on the balcony, I am in awe of atypical, rainy season night in Cambodia, of where I am at that moment, ofeverything that got me to that point. Trying to take a mental picture of thescene, I had to write.

Looming 5 floors above, I have a bird’s eye view of theaction below, the tuk tuk’s coveredtrailers carrying tourists caught in the storm, the soaked teenagers ridingtheir bikes and splashing each other with no care in the world, puddles gathering with dirty, lukewarmwater. In the distance, beyond a big courtyard, the haunting peaks of thepalaces look like they are floating in the fog, only dimly lit by the fewstreetlights. The exotic structures leave me breathless every time, likesomething right out of a picture book. But right outside my door.

It will likely rain all night, the moist sun break brings thehot air, that is cooled at night in an endless cycle. The deafening soundquickens and slows through the window, rain is a strong force in Asia, makingthe rivers flow, the land green and lush, slowing down life just enough so thatis okay to just sit and watch the rain come down, the wet world go by. I knew Icould not take a photo of rain misting my face, the wind whipping the smokeabove the city, the rhythm of the fat drops on the tin rooftops. Thecontrasts of old and new, rich and poor, happy and sad, ugly and beautiful,mixing together in this land that has been known by many names. This place stimulates all your senses and the best memories are tucked away in your mind.