Oddities - Cambodian Markets

There were two major sights we saw regularly in Cambodia, among the many super, interesting, other things.  One were the fabulous and wondrous UNESCO temples and the other, various markets-floating or otherwise.

I think we all appreciate that everyone needs a place to shop and that local cultures dictate different types of both needs and provisions.  However, the abject poverty we saw in Cambodia coupled with the amazing markets filled with every type of produce, agri-product, animal, fish or craft you can think of was astounding.

Our first experience of this was in Siem Reap, before we even got to the Mekong River.  The Siem Reap market was very "close" and vendors were eager to show, share and sell their "wares".  In addition to the numerous food stalls selling raw meats and fishes, vegetables and fruits, there were many more selling fabrics (AKA silk and cotton), dolls, ceramics, tourist trinkets, gold and silver jewellery, fans, shirts, blouses, purses, shoes and more.

This particular stall was actually quite spacious, airy and well lit.  Many were half the size and in the interior of the market place - much stuffier, close quarters and very hard to clearly see what was for sale.

Just outside the market, you can see the myriad of choices for local transportation - motorized tuk tuks and the like.  At night, this became quite a thoroughfare and not many had lights!

I have already shared with you the road side market we encountered as we drove to the Mekong River the next day - that's the one with the bamboo rice sticks and the fried spiders and crickets.  (check another post!)  But what I want to show you today was the amazing variety of flowers, rice, fish and other edibles that we came across at the Sa Dec market.  There must have been over 100 sellers and truly - absolutely anything for sale!  You can see the many stalls here, along the riverside. 

But truly, what was so fascinating were all the items for sale.  I'll try to show a few, of the more unique, things in these next pictures.

 Catfish

 Many kinds of fish

 Chickens - they would kill and clean while you wait or come back

 Long bowls of choices

 Crabs

 

"Clean" rats (not garbage rats... we were told!)

 Snails - lots of different sizes - but not escargots!

And just a few more for variety!

 Some lovely flowers

 Noodles and rice

 Chilis, ginger and onions - the chilis were HOT!

 Fresh duck....

And fruit - cut/peeled the way you like it

All for now - more next time!

Spiders for Breakfast? Cambodia

Need to fast forward to Cambodia!  It's been absolutely amazing!  We spent 3 days in Siem Reap and visited the world renown Angkor Wat temples, among others.  Pictures will follow.  It has been incredibly hot and I am truly wilting!  I'm just not used to 36C + weather.  Nonetheless, we are totally in awe of the ancient technology used in building these massive temple complexes.  It is not unlike the feeling you get at the pyramids or Stonehenge.  The amazing detail of all the stone work, the huge design of buildings and the layout on the properties is hard to take in.  They are beautiful in their own way, even with the various bits that have worn in the past 1000 years.

Fast forward - we drove down from Siem Reap beyond the Ton le Sap Lake to meet up with the riverboat on the river.  The lake is too low to accommodate the boat right now.  The rainy season is around the corner. The farms here are dry and brown versus the very green fields we saw in Vietnam.  The Cambodians just don't have the irrigation systems the others have.

Enroute we had the dubious pleasure of checking out what the Cambodians call KFC (Kambodia Fried Crickets!) and OTHER delicacies!  This is "too much information" for me but I enjoyed seeing the fruits and vegetables the locals had for sale at this little coach stop.  However, members of our group thought trying the spider legs and crickets would be a fun challenge - good for them.  Pictures are enough for me!

I'm so blessed not to have lived in Cambodia in the Khmer Rouge days when it was absolutely crucial for people to eat this type of "protein", just to survive.  As I said, fruits were better for me!

Not long after this stop we got to our embarkation point at Prek Kdam.  We enjoyed the cooling rest and lunch break on the AMA Lotus River boat (our home for the next 7 days) and then were off to a very poor, floating fishing village near Kampong Chhnang.  This was our first true sight of Cambodians living on their boats and will be the subject of another post.

All for now...

Killing Fields Cambodia

The day we went to the Killing Fields in Cambodia was truly reflective and sad.  One cannot imagine the horror of living in this country, just a few short years ago (late 1970's).  Our guide shared his personal story en route to see the Killing Fields, which certainly put the experience into perspective for all of us.

I don't know what I thought I was going to see, but it wasn't quite what I imagined.  The area was actually a very peaceful and quiet place, with a grassy, treed park like atmosphere.  We learned that this had previously been a cemetery for Chinese merchants and so it drew less attention at the time.

You can see from the map that the area was actually rather small.  Once the guides had shared their thoughts, you could walk freely along the paths viewing the graves, trees, and other exhibits.  You can see how peaceful it all was.  There was definitely not a lot of chatter - each person alone with their own thoughts.

What was particularly interesting was the central monument - a tall tower with glass walls and many shelves inside.  This building was very special and to enter required great fortitude and respect.  The shelves were filled with skulls of the many people killed - a definite statement to remind, teach and ensure, this never happens again.  

It was important to see this piece of history, but I was glad to come away.  I "get it" and hope that others do too.

I can tell you more, but that is for a personal conversation if you wish, not a blog....

On to happier things in another post...