There is such a beautiful Chaos about Cambodian culture. My first day I found myself walking through the streets of Phnom Penh dodging motorcycles and tok toks, praying they were dodging me too and it felt so normal. The marketplace is alive with all sorts of sites, sounds and colors; vibrant fruits and vegetables stacked in heaps; the bouncing chatter of Khmer people bartering; fish squirming in baskets before they meet their doom on the chopping block; street vendors with short tables and stools where people stop for a bowl of soup or a plate of noodles; people milling about shoulder to shoulder (myself a head above everyone); shy smiles as the Khmer people avert their eyes.
this little piggy went to market.
And just when you thought you’ve seen it all in Cambodia, a family a of five passes you on one motorcycle or tok toks and motos are piled so high with stuff that you fear it will actually topple over right in front of your eyes. The traffic appears chaotic and disorderly. You walk the streets wondering how in the world there are not more traffic accidents. But there is method to the madness and everyone is patient, peaceful, and not in a rush to get anywhere. Road rage is not something you see in this culture.
(Cambodian Gas tank. Yes, that is IV tubing feeding the gasoline to the engine!)
Walking to the night market has become one of my favorite experiences. When the sun sets beneath the horizon, tables are set out, silverware washed and placed in order for welcomed guests. Woks are fired up. Fish are fried. Chickens are grilled. Vegetables are chopped and everyone is prepared for the increased traffic as this small part of Phnom Penh comes alive. Eating street food is an intrinsic part of our daily lives. For $1 USD we will eat like kings.
trying to cross the street.
all this for $1 USD!
Daily, I find myself spilling over with gratitude to the Lord for the opportunity to be walking the streets of Cambodia. Daily, I find myself loving more and more the beautiful chaos of this boisterous and peaceful culture.
