The performers run and jump and tumble. The crowd applauds enthusiastically. Tonight I sit in the small stands, not far from the makeshift stage, and witness the most energetic, enthusiastic performance I can ever remember seeing anywhere.

Battambang, although the second largest city in Cambodia, is such a quiet, non-eventful place . Most tourists only stay here a couple of days, if they even come at all.

The friends I've made here are the reason I have stayed longer. They have let me see the real Cambodia by inviting me into their homes to spend time with their families and by taking me to see things other tourists don't even know exists.
 
In return, I have exposed them to things here they had never seen or done, mostly because of lack of money to do with.

I took them to ride the Bamboo Train. It's $10 for one person or for as many as you can get on it. But, $10 to them is not easy to come by. So, I wanted to ride the train and took them along. We've eaten at places and seen things they could not do on their own. It has been a way for me to repay all they have done for me.

Now, tonight, we sit side-by-side at the Battambang Circus. Neither Villa or Somnang have ever been to the circus, even though it is close to their homes . It's not a 3 ring circus in a big top like you would go to in the U.S. or other developed countries. It does not have the elephants doing tricks or lions jumping through hoops. There are no clowns in heavy make-up riding their little cars or bicycles around the ring.

We are at the Phare Ponteu Selpak. It is a non-profit Cambodian association that works with children and young adults. These are vulnerable children that the school takes in and educates and trains. Some are abandoned children, others are street kids that were getting involved with crime. The school has given them a place to live and learn, and make something of their lives.

The tarp overhead may provide some protection from a light rain. We are close to the small outdoor stage and no microphones are needed.

There are 3 different shows. The one we came to see tonight is performed by the youngest members of the circus . It is a comedy performance. There are a lot of acrobatics by the kids. 

They tumble, and jump and balance. They are exciting to watch. The energy level is contagious. This is not a cirucs like we would think of so much, I guess. There is a story being told and a play going on. The acrobatics are mixed in. 

The crowd, about 300, I think, can fit in here with many standing. Tonight it is full and about 70%25 are Cambodians and 30%25 are foreign tourists. 

The foreigners pay $10 each and the Cambodians pay $1.25 to get in. The money goes to help the school take care of the kids, so no one minds the difference in price. Once all the people buying tickets is finished, the neighborhood kids get to come in for free, until the seating and standing room is full.

The performers run around in costumes and use props, more like a play. The crowd laughs. At least the 70%25 that is Cambodian laugh. The rest of us do not know what is being said, as it is all in the local language. It doesn't matter, though, everyone is enjoying the performance. These kids are really talented and their practice shows in their performance.

There are two other shows, each one done by a different age group. We return once a week for the next two weeks until we have seen all three shows.

The school not only trains kids for the circus performance, but they also have music and art programs for the ones more talented in those areas.