Can’t get it right….

One of the most aggravating parts of life in Cambodia is the condition of the roads. Many nations have given hundreds of millions of dollars to build and maintain roads but there’s little evidence of it.

The road crews seem to have the proper equipment and materials but the roads just do not last. Within a few months, holes–actual holes leading to hollowed out areas under the pavement–are appearing along with the more common potholes. Probably the paving companies are making lots of money by cutting corners. Instead of putting down three to four inches of asphalt they probably put down one inch. The inspectors let them do it and no one holds the companies accountable when the roads deteriorate.

We’re talking major holes when they appear. This one is fifteen inches wide and just as deep. The approved method of road repair is to stick whatever is handy in the hole to warn motorists of the hazard.

Which way did he go?

One of the quirks of Cambodian society is occasionally finding numbered sequences going right-to-left instead of the more standard, in the western world, right-to-left. These numbered windows are in a bank in Phnom Penh. It’s curious to me where this numbering might come from since Khmer writes left-to-right and there has never been a colonial power that would have promoted a right-to-left system.

“Don’t need mirrors…

…combed my hair before I left!”

Following normal (for the rest of the world) traffic rules is not a strong suit for Cambodians who are used to doing what they want and getting away with it.

One example is using rearview mirrors on motorcycles. It was after I arrived in Cambodia that mirrors were even required. When I first arrived new motorcycles didn’t even have mirrors.

Now they are still somewhat option, as seen in these photos, because their proper installation and use is not enforced. Observe how all these mirrors are useless unless the drivers are checking their makeup or combing their hair.

Damaging the Environment and Democracy

Yesterday was World Environment Day. Above is a good illustration of what the Royal Government of Cambodia thinks of the environment: a group of young people take a bike ride to promote environmental awareness–and the government seizes, harasses, and stops them. Both the environment and human rights are endangered here.

Don’t waste a good crisis

There is a saying “Don’t waste a good crisis” meaning that even in the worst situations there are probably opportunities to take advantage of. There are many signs of that all over Phnom Penh now as offices, schools, and other organizations–closed by COVID-19—are using the time and lack of people and activities to renovate offices, decorate buildings, etc.

A workman at a school hauls out a bag of construction rubble as they modify classrooms inside while the students are home because of the pandemic.
The Church of the Child Jesus uses the time in a similar fashion,
redoing some small offices and toilets.

Recognizing the Spiritual

Almost every home and shop in Cambodia will have some kind of shrine, like the one above, next to the fan. These are different from the spirit houses which most buildings will have also. The spirit houses are replacement dwellings for the spirits who were displaced when the humans erected a house or other building. The shrine above is an acknowledgement of a more active spiritual presence and the shoe store staff will every day burn incense and make offerings in the shrine.

White people. Do something.

“Racism is a sin; a sin that divides the human family, blots out the image of God among specific members of that family, and violates the fundamental human dignity of those called to be children of the same Father.”

U.S. Catholic Bishops

“My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.” 

Pope Francis