The Great Wall of Stink
We have alluded to it in previous posts, but everything is really very different over here.
The daily life and death journeys on the roads, traffic laws may or may not exist it is unclear. But they are certainly not enforced. The infractions range from vehicle type, an entire extended family on a trailer drawn by a self propelled lawn mower, to which side of the road the steering wheel is on. Both sides are available here in Cambodia. Which side of the road you drive on is also a matter of preference. Ostensibly I believe it is supposed to be the same as the US, but if it is really inconvenient to be on that side or if you are in a hurry you can drive on the other side or the sidewalk if that better suits your needs. The important thing is to keep honking to let people know your there.
"honk" I am passing on your right!
"honk" I am running this red light!
"honk" I am going to turn and cut you off!
"honk" I am behind you on the sidewalk!
"honk" That guy looks familiar!
"honk" I believe we are all carbon based life forms!
"honk" no reason other than I like the sound!
It is important to know that the quality of driving is also astounding. The common story is that of the bus driver that after hitting a scooter and dragging it for a couple of miles stops his bus runs into the jungle and is never seen again. Probably an urban legend given that I have heard from a couple of different people.
Our main form of conveyance is a Tuk-Tuk. A "taxi" of sorts, rally a handsome cab pulled by a vespa like scooter. Our main driver is Fila, an extremely likeable young man that drives slower and saner then most of the rest. We give him a call at the end of the evening and fifteen to twenty minutes later he will pick us up.
It is very pleasant way to see the sights and at night at this time of year it is actually cool and comfortable...
Until , for reasons unseen by the naked eye, you run into the Great Wall of Stink. A barrier of smell completely unknown in the occidental world. Sure we have all walked past a dumpster on a hot day, or low tide, or a smelly guy on a bus. But this is a combination of all that and more. Another added excitement to the tuktuk rides.
The aforementioned honking isn't just relegated to motorized traffic either. The inventor of the squeaky toy is making a mint over here. All the cart vendors on any and all random streets regardless of population density and customer base have the squeaker. And they like them.
"squeak" mystery ice cream
"squeak" fried spider ( they really have those here)
"squeak" shellfish that I have cooked on this steel siding in the sun
"squeak" random goo
I think I may be rambling and giving the wrong impression. All this is the relish that makes the dish worthwhile. This isn't "cooks in cape girardeau" after all.
Its the water festival this weekend a local holiday that kills business and signifies the reversal of flow of water in the lake.
Roast dinner time
The daily life and death journeys on the roads, traffic laws may or may not exist it is unclear. But they are certainly not enforced. The infractions range from vehicle type, an entire extended family on a trailer drawn by a self propelled lawn mower, to which side of the road the steering wheel is on. Both sides are available here in Cambodia. Which side of the road you drive on is also a matter of preference. Ostensibly I believe it is supposed to be the same as the US, but if it is really inconvenient to be on that side or if you are in a hurry you can drive on the other side or the sidewalk if that better suits your needs. The important thing is to keep honking to let people know your there.
"honk" I am passing on your right!
"honk" I am running this red light!
"honk" I am going to turn and cut you off!
"honk" I am behind you on the sidewalk!
"honk" That guy looks familiar!
"honk" I believe we are all carbon based life forms!
"honk" no reason other than I like the sound!
It is important to know that the quality of driving is also astounding. The common story is that of the bus driver that after hitting a scooter and dragging it for a couple of miles stops his bus runs into the jungle and is never seen again. Probably an urban legend given that I have heard from a couple of different people.
Our main form of conveyance is a Tuk-Tuk. A "taxi" of sorts, rally a handsome cab pulled by a vespa like scooter. Our main driver is Fila, an extremely likeable young man that drives slower and saner then most of the rest. We give him a call at the end of the evening and fifteen to twenty minutes later he will pick us up.
It is very pleasant way to see the sights and at night at this time of year it is actually cool and comfortable...
Until , for reasons unseen by the naked eye, you run into the Great Wall of Stink. A barrier of smell completely unknown in the occidental world. Sure we have all walked past a dumpster on a hot day, or low tide, or a smelly guy on a bus. But this is a combination of all that and more. Another added excitement to the tuktuk rides.
The aforementioned honking isn't just relegated to motorized traffic either. The inventor of the squeaky toy is making a mint over here. All the cart vendors on any and all random streets regardless of population density and customer base have the squeaker. And they like them.
"squeak" mystery ice cream
"squeak" fried spider ( they really have those here)
"squeak" shellfish that I have cooked on this steel siding in the sun
"squeak" random goo
I think I may be rambling and giving the wrong impression. All this is the relish that makes the dish worthwhile. This isn't "cooks in cape girardeau" after all.
Its the water festival this weekend a local holiday that kills business and signifies the reversal of flow of water in the lake.
Roast dinner time
posted by mr. cook at 7:02 PM
2 Comments:
FYI, the comment regarding the bus driver is actually true, I myself witnessed the aftermath of this the first time I was in Cambodia, not very pleasant.
Unpleasant yes, bus as Mr. and Mrs. Cook have already commented this place is really awesome
What kind of batter do you use to fry a spider? And what kind of alcohol do they drink before they eat them?
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