10 Things to Know When Visting Cambodia

1. Step over that puddle in the street, its probably urine.
2. When crossing the street, DON’T STOP! No matter that a wall of motorbikes, tuk tuks and cars are coming at you, you need to remember that they will expect you to keep walking and to maneuver around you, so if you slow down, they are actually more likely to hit you. Just keep your eyes ahead and walk steadily.
3. Learn to like rice.
4. If I had a nickel for every homeless person I've seen, I could buy a round trip ticket home for Christmas. It's impossible to give money to everyone, but my friends have started carrying around a bag of suckers to give out to the children we see. It may not do much for their long term quality of life, but their short term smiles are pretty cool.
5. Its hot. November is one of the coolest months and it was 93 yesterday.
6. Just like in America, sex with children is illegal.

This sign in posted all over my guesthouse, the child sex trade is a big problem here.
7. There is garbage everywhere. On my entire trip up to Siem Reap, I doubt I saw so much of an acre that didn't have some garbage on it. The city is bad, and sanitation trucks seem to be nonexistent, but I was surprised how bad it was even in the country. With the exception of a few places in the city, it doesn't really smell, there is just litter everywhere!
8. When you go out to eat, its impolite not to eat when your food is brought, even if no one else has theirs. Most places will have smaller kitchens and can't cook a bunch of meals at once, so when they are finished with one meal, they bring it right out so they can cook another. When big groups go out, this can lead to some people being eating before other have gotten their food. One benefit is that your food is always brought out hot. No heat lamps in Cambodia.
9. Don't buy things from the child sellers on the street. You may think you are helping them, bu it's actually a form of child slavery. Of that dollar you just paid for that book or flower, the child may get 2 or 3 cents out of it.
10. I'm not there any more, head for Thailand. :)

TPWWLT: Southbound - Allman Brothers

PS: Finished up my time in Cambodia, traveled up to Thailand yesterday. I'm here for two more weeks finishing up my course, doing Thai language classes and I start student teaching on Tuesday! I'll keep you updated.

PPS: Happy birthday to my Dad!