A majority of the urban population live in what are called shophouses, buildings one room wide and three to five stories tall. The ground floor is open to the street, closed just by a shutter or gate, and is alternatively a business, a living room, or a garage–or a combination of those. Maybe only in Phnom Penh can you speak of a two-car living room.
Below is a shophouse that is the locus of the bicycle shop that I frequent. I had to go over there today to get new brakes put on my bicycle. (Cost me $3 for four brake pads on the front and back.)
While waiting I took some pictures of the ground floor. I couldn’t see clearly the rear of the room; there may have been some living room furniture there but it was so jammed with bicycles and parts that I suspect the family actually lives upstairs. Do notice the car parked way at the rear of the ground floor room. Do you think they drive it much?
