LIBRO

My Cambodia - A Travel Memoir

di Daniele Ghidoli

What should have been a long trip to Southeast Asia proves to be a five-month period for Daniele, unintentionally stuck in Cambodia due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here he meets Sina, a rebellious Cambodian with an enormous heart, his symbolic local guide on his journey to discover a mysterious, rural, controversial, and magical culture. Sina and Daniele, as if they were fictional characters, go against the tide, break down cultural boundaries and, together, find themselves by engaging in a construction project that makes them grow as a man, as a woman. A project that will make him experience what both of them can call 'my' Cambodia and that those who read will be able to call, immersing themselves in the flow of their adventures, 'our' Cambodia. «Happiness comes as a reflection of your actions. This reflection is what we call Karma. When you are in front of a mirror and you make a movement, this is repeated by the mirror. But if you don't do anything, the mirror is there, standing still.» His definition of happiness particularly struck me. Action and reaction. Cause and effect. I read it as a confirmation of my good intentions to do something useful for others. It almost seemed like the universe was saying to me: you are in the right place at the right time. Daniele, you are in the right place, here, in Cambodia, to finally help others. And you will see that karma will then be generous to you.