Phnom Penh - Tuesday

We weren't really expecting much from Phnom Penh (it is mostly just a rest stop) and for the most part the city managed to meet those low expectations. The problem is that Phnom Penh has been ravaged by civil war, neglected, and underdeveloped for so long. It is actually kind of sad. There are places where you can tell it is getting itself figured out and there are still some charming areas of the city where you can still see the influence of French colonization, but most of city is less than spectacular.

We took the morning slow and got a late start on the day since we knew we weren't going to be trying to do a lot. We hit up the Central Market, where I picked up a pair of fake Ray Bans for 2 dollars because the glasses I had brought with us where on their last legs. I feel kind of bad about buying fakies, but fake Ray Bans are literally the only brand of glasses sold in this entire country.

Mostly the market was tourist kitsch so we didn't stay long, and we headed out to a temple in town, Wat Phnom. Although, after spending three days looking at the fantastic ruins in Siem Reap, this temple left a lot wanting. It could also just be that our enthusiasm for Wats has greatly diminished. We also tried to get into the US Embassy to check it out and maybe get some American snacks, but they told us we are only allowed in if we have an emergency or an appointment (which we suspected but figured we'd give it a try anyway). Since we didn't have either we just kept on our merry way.

Next We headed to another market on the map Oursey Market since we had heard that the best thing about Phnom Penh was the markets. This market was awesome. It was a market that is for the locals, not for tourists, and you could find anything in there. It was like a Cambodian Costco. It was so cool. I walked away with an Asian lunch pail that I love, and Joseph walked away with a months supply of fruit Mentos. The market was such an amazing cultural experience. There was a whole section of dried fish and sea food (it is crazy what they can do with fish over here). I also liked the bulk rice/grains section. It was cool. Another remarkable thing about this market was that none of the vendors were catcalling anyone. We didn't hear a single "Yes, please, you like t-shirt/scarf/glasses/booty-padded panties (not a joke)." This must mean that the locals hate it just as much as we do and it is not an effective strategy with them either. This whole time I had thought that catcalling was a cultural difference. But it is not, it is just a tactic to annoy you into submission.

After that we were pretty hot and sweaty from walking around, so we went back to the hotel to cool off and get ready for dinner.

Tonight we took a tuk-tuk to the river for dinner, too traumatized from our experience last night to walk. Plus we were tired and transportation around here is cheap. The riverfront was really nice and dinner was good, but soon enough it started raining (of course) so we just headed back to the hotel for the night feeling like we did everything of interest in Phnom Penh and were more than ready to get on the road in the morning.