I wanted to give you a few snap shots of things I have seen during my time in Cambodia. It is always a struggle to try and convey scenarios that are completely foreign in America yet still contain western elements. I will do my best.
Riding in a tuk tuk trailer pulled by a motorbike. We drive past an empty lot with a single palm tree. To the right of the tree is a battered semi truck parked in the shade with tarp covering the top. A hammock hangs between the truck and the tree. To the left two brahmas take advantage of the remaining shade. Whether they are related to the idle truck and driver is hard to tell.
Two ducks waddle across a dirt road leading into a neighborhood. They walk toward a building that looks like it was inspired by “The King and I.” Directly in front of the temple is an advertisement for Angkor Beer.
Slat board sided bungalows with banana leaf roofs and hammocks hanging from the posts below. They directly abut a massive industrial complex with western street lights, concrete driveways, cement buildings with corrugated tin roofs.
A tent-city market where different booths are demarcated only by the varying color and ware on each tarp. Below each tarp is a variety of vegetables piled high in wicker-esque baskets. Each stall has the exact same vegetables.
A power tool retailer/rental shop is displaying their selections by their respective power chords from the awning. Drills, saws, hammer guns, more saws, they all hang from their chords. They are all covered in dust. It makes me wonder how well they would actually work if they were to be used.
Two men carrying a ten foot ladder on a motor bike through city traffic.
A boy no older than 7 picking up to go drinks on his bike from the market stand. He is not wearing a shirt. The drink bags dangle from his handle bars with a straw sticking out of each.
Cambodia is full of snapshots like these. It is a beautiful country with an incredible, if tragic, history.
Until next time,
Gig’em and God bless!
-Mags
