Relaxed in Phnom
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008For a small-feeling city of only 2.5 million citizens, Phnom Penh has become one of my favorite places. I woke up the day after the Killing Fields and S.21 prison/museum knowing that it would be a way better day. Can only go up from yesterday. Cambodians are truly the most humble, gracious and happy people I have found on my trip. They are a lot like the Vietnamese except Vietnam is at a cranking, crazy pace compared to this calm city. I have never seen people so comfortable on the back of the motodups – small motorbike taxis – no Mom I never take them and I always wear a helmet. They’re small bikes, but smaller people with four adults sitting comfortably or even two side-saddle girls behind the driver – they face away from each other.
I was astonished to be in the pool at the Kabiki hotel and noticed just bird chirping and very little city noise. Bangkok’s constant noise is not totally appreciated for its volume until one escapes it. It is cooler here than Bangkok, but that is splitting hairs. Main feature of the weather is high humidity and thunderstorms threatening and hitting multiple times per day. I’m still sweating out of control, but acclimatizing more each day and I am starting to enjoy the heat and water.