31 Dec 2012-6 Jan 2013. We flew into Phnom Penh from Bangkok on New Years Eve, checked into our downtown hotel and went for an after-dinner walk along the paved open area beside the river. Everybody was out on the town, praying at street temples, walking, talking, riding bikes, the traffic was gridlocked and party was in the air. There were balloon sellers, and flower sellers, and everyone was doing something or going somewhere, piled three or four on a bike. The atmosphere was light, effervescent, and we let ourselves be swept along with it. 









It was a great introduction to Phnom Penh. Now that we are no longer in Cambodia it feels safer to say that the government is probably one of the most corrupt in the world. If you’re in the government, or have the right connections, as one of Cambodia’s nouveau riche you will live in a big fancy mansion, possibly in a gated community, like this:




If not, meaning most people, you will probably struggle to make a living, barely making enough to get by. And yet what we mostly saw was a city of people simply getting on with their lives, one way or another; Buddhist monks making their morning alms rounds, kids playing, kids in school, adults going about their business. Lots of kids don’t get to go to school because although there is no charge, the teachers are not paid enough to live on so the kids must take money to pay the teacher and don’t go to school if they don’t have it. On the other hand we saw a facility where young children are being taught the traditional Khmer dances. There are beggars, mainly women and children all along “tourist row” – the downtown stretch of bars and restaurants along the street across from the river. I got used to the beggars in India, and quite frequently gave them money. In Cambodia it felt different. They seemed so desperate somehow, more so than those in India. We gave them money too. It’s such a drop in the ocean, no more than a momentary band-aid. Cambodia must be one of the poorest countries in the world, but for the most part we experienced the people to be warm, friendly, open and smiling.

When Pol Pot came into power, back in the 70’s, in complete insanity, he sent everyone in Phnom Penh, and other urban areas, to work in the fields, unless they were educated. The educated were killed. Even if a person just wore glasses they were killed. Within a week the entire city of Phnom Penh was empty. I can hardly fathom it. After his downfall people gradually came back to the city and simply claimed houses. Most of the people who’d originally owned them were dead.

But now, even though it’s a poor country, it begins to heal. People are resilient and make a living somehow. They get on with the business of living as best they can. It seemed such a contrast – the poverty, and then the sight of so many vehicles, and motorbikes, and businesses, and busy markets with plenty for sale. I don’t want to paint the picture that it’s all bad, particularly in the city. It was easy to make people smile. Sometimes I was lucky enough to catch it with the camera.

By chance one day, walking well away from “tourist row”, we discovered the thriving local market







Buddhist monks make their rounds every morning, on foot, collecting alms, and saying prayers at businesses and homes.



This is the “food court” area of the night market where everyone, locals and tourists alike, gather for a picnic dinner and to watch performances.



And during the day in the same space we found these kids playing with their skateboards



Fishing for dinner in the Mekong



Traffic



Sleeping child



We went for a day trip across the river to explore village life a little, though it could perhaps not be called a typical village since many people who live there work in Phnom Penh. It is not a rich village but is probably more prosperous than those further from the big city.

From the ferry we headed out on bikes. It had been a long time since we’d been on bikes – we’d forgotten how much we love it.



I stopped to take a picture of an old woman sitting on the stoop of her house with a child. I said to our guide that I thought she was not happy about it. He replied that she’s just very poor. I asked him to apologize for me, which he did. Her reply was “I wish she could help us”. One moment I’m feeling guilty for my intrusion, and sad for the plight of this woman and her family, and the next, just a bit further along the road, we find ourselves at the joyous occasion of a country wedding. Emotions flying up and down like a roller coaster. As usual I’m thrilled to come across a celebration. I love when that happens, when we get a glimpse into the special occasions, the ceremonies and rituals of the local people. With weddings it always amazes me how alike we all are, though I don’t know why it should.


The Grand Entrance



The Reception



The bride and groom



We also visited a monastery



And a school. This classroom had a teacher, who probably moves back and forth between two class rooms.



This one did not. Don and I, and all the children, had so much fun taking photographs, except for one young girl on the left who remained very serious about getting her work done. No doubt we were a major distraction.



Homes along the Mekong across the river from Phnom Penh



Returning to Phnom Penh on the ferry



We didn’t fall in love with Phnom Penh. That’s not the kind of place it is. The downtown area where all the hotels and restaurants and tourists are, alongside the river, is a little seedy, but across the street the wide walking-boulevard next to the Mekong River is just lovely. We have a friend who is currently living there. It was lovely to catch up with her, and to hear some first-hand information about how things are.

Next post: a floating village on the Tonle Sap River, and a pottery village. 



All words and images by Alison Louise Armstrong unless otherwise noted.
© Alison Louise Armstrong and Adventures in Wonderland – a pilgrimage of the heart, 2010-2015.