Phnom Penh

We arrive in Phnom Penh on a 3 day holiday for the boat races on the river. The streets are crowded and people are everywhere! We have time for a short "tut-tut" ride around the city, much of which was cut off due to the festivities. At tut-tut is a step above a bicycle rickshaw for one - it is a cart attached to the back of a motor cycle. Motor cycles are the predominant mode of transportation with often 4 people on one!

Even after the crazy traffic of India and other places, I have never seen the chaos in the streets as here. Even on main roads, there are few traffic lights and a person (we only saw ladies) stand at the corner with a red triangle flag to indicate that traffic must stop. At other intersections, it's whomever can get through first - after a little observation, there appears to be some order in the chaos: groups of vehicles, tut-tuts, a car and motor cycles ease their way into the perpendicular street and traffic eventually eases for them circling behind to cut off the next hopeful vehicles. Inspite of the fact that motor cycles and scooters are parked on sidewalks, weave in and out of any spaces in the traffic and go whatever way they want on a street, there appear to be few accidents! Quite an amazing traffic flow.

I love Phnom Penh! These people are sweet and friendly, helpful and the cacophony of life going on around feels like a carnival - so much new to see all at once from the ballon men, coconut sellers, people cooking their meals in the park as part of the festival - not to mention the traffic!

The city has not been developed yet. The tallest building is under construction - the Bank of Canada. There is a low profile with pagoda temple roofs and momuments punctuating the skyline.