Each country that we have visited has been different. The differences are not major things, but little characteristics that give the country its own feel. The following is a list of Cambodian quirks. I love the character of Cambodia.
1. Khmer culture is one of respect. I love being greeted with praying hands together below the nose. It is also nice to have a designated greeting instead of wondering awkwardly weather a handshake or a hug would be more appropriate.
2. The shoe of choice in Cambodia is the flip flop. I love the shuffling sounds of flip-flops at our favorite grocery store around the corner. My feet have only used flip-flops in the country of Cambodia; they are perfect for the rainy weather.
3. Riding the chariot-like tuk-tuks is the best option for getting around and it is always an adventure. My favorite game to play on the tuk-tuk is “Double Takes.” Just as we pass someone I smile and wait for the double take. Usually a smile or even a wave accompanies the double take.
4. Speaking of adventure, I ought to mention crossing the street. Dodging the constantly moving river of traffic is not one of my favorite activities in Cambodia, but reaching the other side of the road is quite a rush. We often decide where we are going to eat by how many roads we have to cross to get there. The restaurant with the fewest crossings often wins.
5. Most of the traffic in Phnom Penh is made up of mopeds. The largest number of people I have seen on a moped is four adults and one small child. It’s amazing to watch toddlers balancing on the bikes as they barely hold on. Sometimes the small children go in the basket in the front of the bike. I also love watching the women ride side-saddle.
6. Riel is the Cambodian currency; its value is 4,100 Riel to 1 US dollar. Coins are not used. The smallest denomination is 50 Riel which is less than 2 cents. I love not having to worry about heavy coins. Many racers disagree with me, because it is easy to think a deceptively fat wallet contains a lot of money.
7. My final favorite Cambodian quirk is when an English mistake occurs. Emilie spotted a kid at the Joy Club wearing shorts that read, “Winnie the Poop”. One of our students offered us some fruit as he said, “Its sewer.” We all paused in our eating until we realized he meant to say sour. It was rather difficult to keep a straight face when a student encouraged us to “Please sit”. Sit was difficult for him to say without adding an “h” sound after the s.
