I have arrived! After a week of culture shock, I am finally settling it. I realized that I've never officially lived in a city so kicking off that whole experience in Southeast Asia without knowing a lick of the language is one hell of a way to do it. Not knowing anyone in an alien place with an alien language is isolating, but the bustle of the city makes for opposing mental states of loneliness and an almost panicky need for solitude.
Phnom Penh is not a 'walking' city; everyone uses wheels of some sort. Don't get me wrong, you CAN walk, just be prepared to zig zag around business that spill out onto the street and dodge fast moving vehicles on roads with no sidewalks. I find that frustrating because walking is one of my favorite parts of experiencing a city. It's been difficult to actually take in my surroundings without the slow and steady rhythm of walking. I finally got my own set of wheels though and can quit paying for tuk-tuk drivers who don't know where they're going. Not that I do.
Her name is Helen Jean after my grandma and great-aunt who rode their bikes ""all the way to Orwell" once.
So far I've meet some really wonderful people. Mostly westerners, either expats or volunteers who are all involved with various NGOs. Cambodia is still very much recovering from the Khmer Rouge. Trying to regain international relevance amidst government corruption, and being nearly fenced-in by destination powerhouses like Thailand, Vietnam and China, has been a slow and feeble process. There is a resounding feeling of ambition though, by both the Khmer and international communities alike. Everyone believes in Cambodia. Everyone knows that it's capable of prosperity. Everyone has ideas, such good ideas. No one seems to know quite how to get it done in a 'New Deal' encompassing way. It is very difficult to make decent, living wages here. Until the majority of people don't need to worry about having their basic needs met, progress will be slow, albeit sure.
