Cambodia will hold national elections on July 29th for the prime minister. The elections are basically a farce since the ruling party had the opposition party ruled illegal. There is a two-week campaigning period before the elections and that started last Saturday when there was great chaos throughout the city as the ruling party and eleven minor parties took to the streets with great fanfare and noise.
PassApp Cheat
Cambodia has realized a new transportation mode in the last year and a half or so. Phnom Penh is really weak on public transportation and so getting around has generally depended on motorcycle taxis (motordupes) or tuk-tuks. But now a new vehicle has appeared, what is called an autorickshaw in India where I first used them. It is a small three-wheeled vehicle mostly enclosed. What has made them so attractive since their introduction has been the hailing system–a smartphone app that usually brings a PassApp within two minutes–and their cheap prices. They are cheaper even than a motorcycle taxi and what is so great, the fare is calculated on the smartphone so that you know exactly what you need to pay and there is no need to haggle with the driver.
That’s the good part. Generally I have found the drivers exceptionally polite and efficient, but last Friday when I was returning home, I engaged a driver who seems to be a real cheat and who took me way out of the way. What is so weird is that the journey is recorded on a map which is sent to the telephone of the customer so I can easily show how he cheated me.
I left Point A and should have traveled east before turning south to the Maryknoll office. Instead the driver turned north, clearly shown on the map, and added approximately 25% to the fare. I had ridden the same route three times previously in a two-day period so I knew what the fare should be.
I contacted the PassApp company and they promised to deal with the driver, implicated by the receipt with map that his phone sent to me!
Asia Lay Mission Forum–Sunday
Today began with sharing of mission experience which was followed by a closing liturgy, some traditional Khmer dancing, and lunch. Click here to see pictures from the last day of the forum.
Asia Lay Mission Forum–Saturday
This was another full day, focused mainly on the culture of Cambodia. In the evening the group went into town to eat and then had a boat ride. Click here for pictures from Saturday.
Asia Lay Mission Forum–Friday
Today was the first full day of the forum and the lay missioners were kept busy with visits to mission sites and with engaging presentations. Click here for photos from the day.
Asia Lay Mission Forum–Thursday
Today was the start of the second Asia Lay Mission Forum being held at the Catholic pastoral center in Phnom Penh. The first forum was in 2015 in Hong Kong and it was so well received that plans for a second forum were begun almost immediately. Click here to see the schedule for the first day.
Trip to Europe: Day 14
This was my last day in Europe. At least it started there, in Rome, and ended up in Asia as I flew to Bangkok overnight from Istanbul. Click here to see pictures from Istanbul.
We interrupt our regular programming…
I still want to post some more photos and commentary from my trip to Europe but just ran out of time today to prepare the pictures. I hope to get back to that on Friday.
Asia Lay Mission Forum–Thursday
Today was the start of the second Asia Lay Mission Forum being held at the Catholic pastoral center in Phnom Penh. The first forum was in 2015 in Hong Kong and it was so well received that plans for a second forum were begun almost immediately.
Trip to Europe: Day 13
The conference ended, I spent the day working at the Maryknoll house and then taking a last walk around Rome. Click here for sights from the day plus some pictures of the Maryknoll house in Rome.