Phnom Penh- Adventures Day 1

On our first day here we explored some of the many markets in Phnom Penh. Our first venture was to the Russian Market (Which is called something else, but you can eventually communicate the Russian market to the tuktuk drivers).

Russian Market: The market had an excellent food section, picture a food court but street vendor stalls, and very crowded, and add sweat and 50 degrees. We were at the food section and were suddenly accosted by a nun, who was selling blessings. And by selling we mean she gave them to us, and then demanded $3. Which wouldn't have been hard to understand except she didn't speak English and we couldn't understand her. After several moments of utter confusion, we finally paid her off and are now blessed. (Except Sean and Liza). There were a lot of scarves, fabrics, souvenirs, incense burners and pipes, purses, meat meat meat, dried fish, cooked fish living fish, fish on sticks. How many fish, can you wish? One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, disgustingly smelly fish. Fish heads, fish guts, shrimp paste, dried shrimp, little shrimp, big shrimp. Too much shrimp.

After the Russian Market Elliot and Sharon visited the Doctor. Doctor Who? Doctor Fish! (Oh no, more fish...) No, Dr. Fish was great! Sharon and Elliot put their feet in a tank of water and all these little fish ate their dead skin. It tickled unbearably, but was so relaxing. We will do it again! Everyone else drank and ate coconuts.

Tuktuk ride... Across the Japanese Friendship Bridge to see the 'real' Phnom Penh. Real World Phnom Penh was dominated by KTV bars. The best (hint: only) form of entertainment for locals. KTV is Video kareoke, or Videoke. It may be too confusing for non-Khmer speakers, but... WE WILL TRY! There was a cool wat that we passed and doubled back for. It was a newer one, and covered in gold paint. The inside was painted with stories of the Buddha and featured many different statues of the Buddha. There was a live (Liza thinks it was fake, but it was really real)tree incorporated into the temple. She's protesting but it was in a hole cut out of the floor and was set in dirt soooo, whatever. Granted it was painted gold and had rhinestones on/in it. Elliot and Sean were lucky enough to get a picture with a super friendly monk. BFFs!

Tuktuk ride... back to the main section of town. We ate vietnamese for lunch. The food came out one dish at a time because it was a family owned one cook restaurant. Helen finished and ordered seconds before Elliot got his food. Anyways, food was amazing. We tried salted kumquat soda and a bunch of good dishes. Beef bohn?

WALKING :( to the Central Market. We almost lost Elliot and Sharon after they were duped into buying very expensive ($8US/2 scarves) scarves. We are still adjusting to not having cell phones. It's difficult to keep track of everyone, but we have created a system of keeping track of everyone. Do you want to buy expensive American clothes for cheap? Come here! They make so many brand name clothes and purses and shoes in fake feet here in Cambodia and surrounding S.E Asian countries. Cambodian people have easy access to these at little expense and sell them everywhere!

Things we are used to after day 1:
1. Pajamas are for everyday, every occasion wear. No exceptions
2. Little gender differences in clothing. Guys in tight jeans, DG belts, Gucci shoes are normal.
3. Lizards in your room/restaurants/tuktuks, etc
4. Constant sweat and unbearable heat
5. Monks with umbrellas riding motos
6. Non-american tourists (Australian, German, French, British)
7. Being a giant
8. Traffic and crossing the street (The Deadly Game) We feel like Frogger
9. Drinking lots and lots of water
10. Temples are as common as churches in Charleston

We love it here!
ps. It's hot.