The Apsara dance is also peculiar because of the colorful and elaborate costumes worn by the Apsara dancers. The most noticeable part of their costume is the traditional Crown or Mekot, which complements the three-pointed decorative crowns as depicted in the
bas-relief dancers as recorded on the walls of the Angkor Wat. The silk skirt or the Charabob is as important in its symbolism, and the dancer wearing the white Charabob would be leading the group, while the supporting dancers appear in colors like red and green. Apart from that, the dancers are also donned by various adornments in the shape of flowers and jewelry.

The origins of the dance are deep-rooted in the culture and religion of the Cambodian people. In the Hindu and Buddhist mythology, Apsara is the feminine spirit of the water and the clouds, which is more equivalent to the Western concept of a nymph. In short, an Apsaras are manifested and expressed in art as beautiful girls, who are skilled in dancing and dance to the tunes played by their husbands. In fact, the history of the Apsara dance can be traced back right to the time of the Royal Angkor Courts, when Angkor Wat used to be active in its full glory.

Even today, you can track the trail that Apsara Dance has covered over the centuries to the present day, as you can find the depictions of the Apsara dance on the walls of the Angkor Wat itself The modern day Khmer Apsara dance is performed to commemorate and revere the same traditions that hold a central place in the local culture and legend, and is so deep-rooted and inspirational, that its echoes are also found in the classical dance of Laos and Thailand.

The dance was probably first introduced to the masses in the West in the 1960s. The Princess Bhopa Devi was probably the first ever Apsara ballet dancer known to the rest of the world outside Cambodia, and this beautiful art form made its mark on the global audiences worldwide, now even having its presence in the United States. The dance is very pleasant to the eye and can offer the right tone to your mood as you set out to explore the oriental cultures.

On your next visit to Cambodia, don’t forget to miss the Apsara Dance, which is the living representation of the Cambodian culture in its purest and most ancient form. You can catch the shows in local hotels, if not the Apsara theaters, especially in the city of Siem Reap, which lies right next to the Angkor Wat.

By consuming less energy at home, the workplace, and in our automobiles, we can make a noticable impact on emissions. You can also accomplish this by installing a homemade solar cell. It’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Besides that, you are going to save money as well. If everyone makes an effort in their lives, it can make a huge difference on a global scale. Here is some advice on how you can cut down on your energy usage.

In the home

• Switch to energy-saving light bulbs. While you’re at it, put in a homemade solar cell. It’s not as hard as you probably are imagining it to be. Depending on many factors they may be a little more expensive but over the long haul they will save you about 10 times their cost.
• When you are boiling water, or heating anything, only boil the amount you need. Boil just enough water for the amount of tea you plan to consume. After all, is it necessary to boil a pot for one cup.
• Switch off appliances when you are not using them to save money and energy. Turn off your computersm stereos, videos, and TVs when you aren’t using them. They consume a lot of energy even when in standby mode.
• Recycle everything that you can. We throw away our own weight in rubbish every month, but bottles, cans, paper, card, plastic and aluminium can all be reused or recycled which saves energy. For instance, the quantity of power required to produce 20 cans from recycled material is the same amount of energy it takes to produce one can from unrecycled raw materials. If you recycle enough, your monthly garbage bill will go down if you reduce the service needed.
• If you live in a sunny area you could potentially meet all your energy means using solar panels.
• Turning down your thermostat by just three degrees will save you 10 per cent in energy costs. Additionally, ensure that your house has enough insulation to keep as much heat in as possible.
• Make sure your dishwasher and washing machine appliances are full before you start them. You can also try warm water instead.
• Keep the lid on pots and pans when you are cooking.

In the office

• Where at all possible, store all documents in digital format on your computer or another storage device. If you must print something, use both sides of the page.
• There is no need to fly half way around the world for a meeting. Online audio and video conferencing has effectively cut out the need for face to face meetings and conferences. The amount of energy that can potentially be saved here is huge.
• Completely power off your computer or put it in sleep mode when it is not in use. When your computer is in screensaver mode, it is still using a lot of energy.

In the car

• For shorter journeys, leave the car at home and use a bike instead. Bikes are a healthy, quick and enjoyable way to get around, and a great way to avoid congestion if you live in a big city.
• You may get to work faster and it will even save you money.
• Get a hybrid and join the millions who have. Ask yourself if you really need your polluting sports utility vehicle. If not, trade it in for a hybrid? Buy a hybrid and use a fraction of the energy for your journeys.
• Use the bus. Public transportation uses less energy than driving. Also, remember that air travel is a major polluter so use ground transport wherever possible.

In the shops

• Do not accept plastic bags from shops. Always bring your own reusable bags.
• Try to buy organic food that is grown locally. Organic food is farmed less intensively and usually requires less energy to produce. Because it is produced locally, there is a savings in transporation expense.
• Try to eat less meat. One of the biggest contributors to the greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere is surprisingly farm livestock.

Water

• While water isn’t strictly energy, it is a finite resource that we need to preserve and take care of. Here are some tips on how to cut down on your water usage:
• Always use the shower instead of the bath.
• Never leave the tap running while brushing your teeth.
• Make sure you have a full load before using the washing machine or dishwasher.
• Put in a system to reuse your water run-off and prevent water waste in your garden. This will also encourage you to use non-harmful soaps and washing powders.
• Water your garden when the sun is not at its peak like before sunrise or at sunset.This gives the water a chance to get absorbed into the soil rather than just evaporating into the heat if you do water during the day.
• Water butts or large water containers are a good idea for the garden. Situate them under the edges of your roof so they receive run-off when it rains.

These are just a few of the simple, yet effective, ways that you can help cut down on energy usage and reduce your carbon footprint. Even if we all follow just a few of these steps it will make a big difference and save us money as well.

Ralph Somers, editor

Homemade Solar Cell Forum