STREET VENDORS

Tom and I do a lot of walking in Phnom Penh.  Driving a car is not an option.  We have no moto and would question the wisdom of trying that if we did.  We do hire a Tuk-Tuk when we want to go a distance.  Today was one of those days.  The traffic is very heavy almost all of the time.  It seems there are more Tuk-Tuks now that there is a 'PassApp' that can be used to call them using phone navigation.  Since our smart phones do not work here except with WIFI we cannot use that app.  The Tuk-Tuk that we are riding in is the old style with 2 seats.  Most of the ones in the photo are the new 2 person style, although we have seen as many as 5 Khmers in them.  If you get to use their meter with the Pass App the ride is usually cheaper.  We still visit with the driver before getting into the Tuk-Tuk about the price as foreigners are many times charged much more than the Cambodians are for the same ride.

Today is Saturday so we rode a TukTuk to the Riverside area for breakfast at a favorite hotel with a second floor restaurant and we look out over the river.  Well the hotel is closed for renovation it seems.  (Last Saturday we walked quite a distance to a mall that we liked as it had a Swenson's Ice Cream.  The whole mall was closed.)  We ate at a sidewalk café.  These are very plentiful around Phnom Penh.  We chose this one because it served a scrambled egg with cheese and a roll.  It was good.  We also had coffee with sweet milk.  It is amazing what you can find on the sidewalks.  They are used for parking areas for cars and motos, cafes, vendors, signs, etc. but seldom for sidewalk walking.  It makes walking a  challenge at times as the street is the only alternative.

We have been asked about the fear of coronavirus here.  This is the first time we have seen a full display of face masks on the sidewalk.  You will notice that it is in front of a travel and tour company.  Yes, many people here are wearing masks, but that is not unusual to see here.  Of course there is some concern, but it is not a hot topic of conversation.

This particular street has many moto dealers.  The motos are lined up perfectly all along the street.  It seems that like businesses tend to bunch up along one street; Like Furniture row, or tool row, or houseware row.  At least one does not have to go far to view the competition.

Just one more example.  I cannot imagine the work involved to take everything inside.  In fact they don't always move their items.  They cover them with a tarp for the night.  Many of these vendors, like this one, have merchandise inside the store as well.  There are several of these small store around the BEST CENTER.  It is convenient for everyone.