Much of life in Phnom Penh is very different during the New Year holiday, but some parts of city life continue on much the same as at any other time of the year. And many of the special notes for the holidays are just variations of the normal routines and not really extraordinary.
Cambodians are a religious people in the way they express the Buddhist traditions and practices that are so much a part of the national identity. Here a man places offerings in a spirit house, a woman burns offerings for the spirits of deceased relatives, and many people visit the pagodas to present offerings and gain merit.
There is very little refrigeration in Cambodia because electricity available only in limited areas and is very expensive. To compensate, there is a large ice distribution network and it was working overtime during the holidays as people celebrated with cold drinks. A man carries a big block of ice on a motorcycle (maybe he is having a LOT of friends over); a little girl and her brother prepare to bicycle home with ice for the family; and a man carries a block home to his family. The bread shops were also open and doing a good business.
Top row: a few families gave up their holidays to make money. They put just about everything one could want out for sale in front of their homes to serve those who forgot something important. | A crew take down a funeral tent. Bodies are not embalmed and so funerals must take place quickly, even during the holidays. Middle row: Two women selling popcorn and lotus flowers at the entrance to a pagoda. | One of the dependable Cintri workers cleaning streets during the holidays. Bottom row: Two motorcycle taxi drivers wait for infrequent riders. If they do get rides during the holidays, they get up to double the price. | A woman sweeping the street in front of her house. Holiday or no holiday, the street must be swept every morning.
