Culture – Welcome to Cambodia, and…..

Gas Station Shortcuts

Notice where the wet track marks go in this picture…. They don’t go to the gas pumps. Instead they go THROUGH the gas station. Click here to see how Cambodian drivers shortcut through the stations.

People not previously familiar with wet and dry markets are maybe now more cognizant of wet markets because a wet market in Wuhan, China was the starting point of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to see pictures of a wet market in Cambodia.

Impulse Eating

In the US, supermarkets put tabloids, chewing gum, and other items along the check out lanes so people might be tempted to buy these things on impulse while they’re waiting to check out. Here in Cambodia they have impulse food, like this cart full of small mussels from the Mekong River. You can be riding by on your motorcycle, see the cart, pull over, and without even getting off, you’ve got a bag full of shellfish to munch on.

Now that I have your attention….

A not uncommon sight on the streets of Phnom Penh are huge human figures like this one used for fund-raising for Buddhist activities. The woman with the pan collects donations and makes sure the figure doesn’t get run over. Often the figures are accompanied by a slow-moving vehicle with a loudspeaker asking for contributions.

Valentine’s Day in Phnom Penh

Valentine’s Day is another of the western celebrations adopted by Cambodian culture. Often known as “sex day” among Cambodian youth, the government has decried its popularity and even toyed with the idea of introducing a Buddhist celebration to compete with Valentine’s Day.

Coming home after early morning mass yesterday, I was surprised to see only these two outlets selling Valentine’s Day-themed merchandise. Usually there are many more, so maybe the government’s disapproval is having an effect. The one place was selling flowers on the curb, and for those who wanted to go over the top with their gift, this shop was selling any size teddy bear that would suit your fancy.

Where is the risk-management team?

I went to a DDP graduation today, held at a Christian church near the Chinese Embassy. Especially because it is a church, even though we were using it for totally secular purposes, Khmers would never wear shoes inside. Instead they leave them at the door–literally. In the United States the liability lawyers would go crazy at the hazard the shoes create for an organization, but here it’s just part of life. What else are you going to do with your shoes?

Lunar New Year 6

After you clean the house and buy new clothes and get your haircut; after you burn the incense and paper offerings; then it’s time to put out the food and drink offerings to really make the spirits happy.

Almost every shop has some sort of offerings on display…

An Internet shop…but why do they have three offering tables?

Some shops put out really elaborate offerings. (I’ve noticed that the spirits really like beer. Or at least the people who put out the offerings think they do.)

This beauty salon has a rather humble offering.

This private house has a rather generous offering.

While this house’s offering is much more subdued.

This man goes all out at his house, making sure the spirits are pleased.

The End

Lunar New Year 5

There are always last-minutes purchases and preparations and many people were out on new year’s eve making everything ready.

One more decoration for the home or maybe a trinket for the kids….

These men finally found a traditional peach-blossom tree to put in the house.

This man opts for a few more fresh flowers….

This woman is selling the white jasmine blossoms on a stick or the small jasmine garlands which are important new year’s decoration.

And these people are getting the truck ready to head out to the province and leave the city hoopla behind.

Lunar New Year 4

Much of the world may be turning away from meat for health and environmental reasons, but for many developing countries eating meat is a sign of success, an indicator that the family is no longer too poor. And that is especially true at the Lunar New Year when roast pig is an almost essential item.

The proper day to buy the roast pig is the morning of the reunion dinner so all the farmers bring their offerings to town early in the day. There are big pigs and little pigs, a size to fit each family.

This man considers the roast pigs on offer on the street. If a whole pig is too much, there are slabs of roast pork in the cart on the right.

If roast pig doesn’t seem right this year, roast ducks and geese are available at this shop.

This woman’s streetside shop offers more roast ducks and some small pigs.

Lunar New Year 3

Because the lunar year isn’t an actual holiday people won’t take quite as many days off as they will for the Khmer New Year. But they will all celebrate at home and at their work place. Here are some scenes from staff parties at various places of employment before they head home for the new year’s eve reunion dinner, a VERY important occasion.