Phnom Pen, Cambodia ~ It’s exotic, it’s chaotic, it’s beguiling, it’s distressing, it’s compulsive, it’s repulsive. Every day brings a different experience, some shock the senses, others bring a smile, some confound logic, others wrench the emotions. Many cities are captivating, but Phnom Pen is unique in its capacity to both charm and chill to the bone.
It’s barley been 30 years, much less in true peace time. The senior population still alive, hold heavy sighs, younger, my age were small children, lucky to survive…I have attempted to but, there is no way to know such tragedy; this country has been to hell and back. The glamorous ‘pearl of Asia” in Sihanouk’s 60’s, it was evacuated then eviscerated under the Khmer Rouge, only to rise from the ashes of civil war. Today’s Cambodia, a large village, a city is rising.
The once sleepy streets are developing into a chaotic mess of motorcycles, cars, minibuses, ox carts and remorques battling for space. Poverty is endemic and one not well addressed at all by the country's largely dysfunctional government yet, Phnom Penh is a charming spot.
The kids are just trying to be kids…lugging around heavy books, stories of the tragedy their parents lived through. Running the streets, hoping for just 1 US dollar in a long days’ work, squeezing in moments to laugh and play with friends…who also, pound the same bumpy pavement, begging strangers/tourists who have so many more dollars…who’s happier?
Good luck to you!
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