Christmas Day in Phnom Penh

25 December 2010

People from Western countries and Christian cultures might find it hard to imagine a culture where Christmas is basically a non-event, but that's Cambodia.  A few stores that cater to Westerners will put up some Christmas decorations or a tree, as will the stores that want to encourage gift-giving among the young, but basically, the largest majority of the Cambodian population had no idea today was Christmas Day--or even what it is.  Here are some scenes from around the city today.
Construction workers

For most people, like these construction workers, it's a normal Saturday working day.  They have few days off.
Hauling cockels to eat

A motorcycle taxi hauls a man and his cart full of small clams to another neighborhood for better sales.
Monk walking on sidewalk

A monk walks back to the pagoda after making his rounds begging food for himself and the other monks and the people they serve.
Cyclo driver looking for a ride

This cyclo driver (a bicycle taxi with a bench seat) has just dropped off a customer and is turning around to search for a new ride.
Laying a tile walkway

This man is working at the Catholic church, laying a new tile sidewalk around a newly renovated 19th century building.
Restaurant Santa Claus

This Santa Claus beckons to the tourists--people who know what Christmas is--as they pass a riverfront restaurant.
Click here for a few more scenes from Christmas Day

Fr. Bob Wynne carves a ham prepared for the Maryknoll Christmas dinner.  Click here for photos from the Maryknoll gathering.

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