The story of the one year I have spent in Cambodia

Yes, as many people, my family too, asked the same question: 'Why the hell Cambodia?'

One of the many temples in Phnom Penh

'Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world. It's uncivilized, the culture is so different, tropic illnesses, corruption, chaos, there is no political freedom till this day, it's dangerous and what's wrong with you- you are white single woman'.

But I looked at it more simple and said to myself: 'Why not, if not now then when?'

So when the opportunity arose, after spending 3 years in the shiny Dubai, I said YES and moved to continue my career in the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. (I guess I needed a change so badly- different culture, true people, nature, real green nature)

Buddhist monks 

To be honest after landing in international airport of Phnom Penh, the culture shock didn't surprise me that much, more likely everything was very interesting to me.
First thing I remember was how damn hot it was (it was April, one of the hotest months of the year) super dusty roads and all the chaos around. On the way from the airport we passed hundreds of little street vendors, tiny shops, very poorly looking people, tons of children on the streets, motorbikes, scooters and tuk-tuks.

Hand-made noodles $2

When I settled, I realised how big is the difference between a rich and a poor, the middle class was non existing. While I used to walk around the city by foot the locals were looking at me weirdly as ' you are foreigner, meaning you got money, meaning you don't need to walk) Btw its quite popular to have your own driver, security guard, maid, cook or nanny of course. The brand new big shiny cars in the middle of really bad, dusty road and 4 family members with their shopping bags or god knows what next to it looked very strange to me.

Chaos in the streets it's a daily life in almost all Asian countries. Even everyone is moving quite slowly, but many curiosities and bigger accidents happens every day. Most of scooter drivers hasn't got a driving licence or been learning how to drive properly.

Kampot. Weekend get-away

Although at the moment Phnom Penh is one of the fastest growing cities in the South East Asia, all the investments are coming from the big countries as China, Malaysia, Japan, S.Korea, etc. The local economy stays very poor and the tourism is Cambodia's fastest growing industry.

The biggest problem, I have noticed, is the locals who don't see the need of education and the poorest people can't afford it, instead going to a school 5 year old kids starts to support family by selling stuff or picking plastic on the streets. As in many Asian countries Cambodia plastic waste is biggest disaster at the moment. No one really trying to stop it and again locals don't even understand the seriousness of the problem. The saddest part is that people don't want to work, they expecting easy money, so many of them turns to gambling, card games or other doggy business. They use the saying 'I go to find money' very often.Firstly I couldn't understand the meaning, just after a while I got it that it literally means what it says. Most of Cambodians don't have monthly incomes.
Surprisingly they speak pretty well English (not like Vietnamese, for example). I found it very easy to communicate in a shops, cafes or even markets.

Street hairdresser 

While living in Phnom Penh I had made few close friendships with the locals, who usually comes from country side to the capital to try to catch their luck. Every story was different and not easy to listen and understand. Even thought it took some time while they started to trust me and call me their friend, but after 'the probation period' they treated me as one of them. I have been invited to the weddings, local celebrations, dinners with the family, etc. My interest to their culture made them very happy. I was excited to try their traditional foods, to see their humble households, to spend time together and listen to their stories.

The year pasted very quick. I didn't travel Cambodia itself so much as planed, but I had the opportunity to visit other South Asian countries. Geographically Cambodia has very great location.

Banana store

After spending few months in Phnom Penh I was already missing fresh air and civilisation a lot. That's then I understood as much as I wanted to leave Dubai, I wasn't ready to spend more than one year in the third world country like Cambodia.

Market life from above

One of the saddest parts was when I started to volunteer for one of the NGO who was helping young woman who were single mums, usually they have been reaped, or they didn't even know who is a father of their baby. In this case the family just through them out on the street like a dog. Mostly these girls end up in human trafficker hands or become prostitutes. The stories I heard shocked me and made very angry about the social situation in the country. I was asking myself 'How come so many rich people and government don't care about their own people'.



The more I stayed the more I missed cleanliness in the streets, controlled traffic, fresh air and culture which is easier to understand.

'Sleeping beauty'

The people I met and friends I made, the foods I tried.. all the adventures, jungles, dust, heat, rain..I don't regret anything one year spent in Cambodia.

And what's next you will ask? even thought I am coming back to more civilized world it doesn't mean that new wind not going to blow new exciting adventures and stories.




WITH LOVE
Birute x