The iceman

Dear all,

Many among you asked for descriptions. I thought initially to spare my readers boring descriptions but since I am out of inspiration for anecdotes which might amuse you, I will try the difficult tekhnê (greek for art) of desciption.

Means of transportation inside the city.

- Walking: very rare, only the penniless children who collect cans, plastic bottles and other rubbish, or crazy expats like your humble servant when he feels like it.

- Walking, carrying two baskets at both ends of a stick on the shoulder: I've seen poor women who sell a small breakfast walking like that.

- Walking while pushing a bicycle or a cart on bicycle wheels: various peddlers like the iceman, (who has a special bell and passes by the office at 9am and 3pm, for your information), those selling small meals which they prepare in the cart, those selling fruit or many other things I cannot identify yet.

- Bicycle: those who cannot afford a motorcycle, children and teenagers to go to school, some expats.

- Small motorcycles: most used means of transportation because they are affordable and fast. Moto-taxis are everywhere and cost usually between 1,000 and 2,000 riels ($0.25 to $0.50) depending on the distance and the time of the day (at least that's what I pay, locals pay less). Many have their own scooter. There are no rules: drive past red lights, turn left against traffic, drive on the sidewalk if necessary, wear a helmet if you feel like it, carry one or two people behind you, a baby standing between your legs, a television, a wahing machine or bananas.

- Regular motorcycles: mainly expats who need the unnecessary acceleration from 0 to 20 km/h...

- Small car: very rare, I think they are used by a few working women who have some money and want to be modern.

- Family car: for the moderately rich who want to be modern, have the air-conditioning and be stuck in traffic (there aren't many traffic jams, yet, but expect them soon).

- 4x4 and pickups: from the rich to the very rich. Like elsewhere in the world, when you have money, you want to show it and you don't care the least bit about the others, driving a large 4x4 is a good way of doing so. I saw once a Porsche Cayenne which costs over $100,000. Expats like to drive them also when they have a family.

Sorry, I couldn't stick to the art of description. I fell into the trap and interpreted reality.

Have a good weekend!

Joseph


That's it: no buses except those which