Cambodian Life

Here are some shots from the last couple of months of life in and around Siem Reap:

The first mall in Siem Reap caught on fire last week...it is a block away from Jed's bar, The Warehouse. Something with faulty wires. It was a wake up call in consumerism outpacing safety systems...and the bottom line is that it is cheaper without safety protocol in place. Picture a couple hundreds Khmers squashed together alongside the firetruck with police shooting at the third story windows to create holes for the water to go in to the flaming, smoking building. Meanwhile the trucks run out of water, so they have to leave the scene to go across town to refill with water, as fire hydrants don't exist. There are police, military, security present, all telling the crowds to do slightly different things...an no one listens. Thy pull out cell phones to take photos and call friends. It is THE PLACE to be tonight.

Truth be told this shot is in Kampot at an overpriced restaurant along the river with a happy hour...which made it price worthy. Super cool chair...as you can see! Onions!!! Onions are considered another veggies. I ordered a salad that had just as many onions as lettuce or cucumbers. They are sweet and strong and leave you smelling of onions for days afterwards...it's a way of life. I have succumbed to the onions!

Again, truth be told, not in Siem Reap, but in Phnom Penh at the Central Market with crazy architecture. Pricier than other markets, so we just went to check out the place.


Ok, I'm not really sure where this is. I haven't done a great job including photos of me on the blog, so I'm trying to play catch up. I think it's along the river in Phnom Penh...maybe it's Battambang...neither here nor there. I'm smiling and that's what matters!

I am one with the "tree." - a huge Christmas tree made out of zip ties at Hotel de la Paix-the premier boutique hotel in town. We were at an art opening/fashion show...an experience to say the least.

Fruit, fruit and more fruit. Stalls and stalls of them. Fresh, cheap, delicious, beautiful,...

A shot from a traditional puppet show. They puppets are made from water buffalo hide, with a screen in front of a huge fire from burning coconut shells.

Another shot of the fashion/art show. I was dressed to impress with a black dress and fake suede flip flops with four fake diamonds on each. The bar in the background changes colors. Very hip! Cheers!