"Cambodia is like you're always tripping."-- Off the Rails in Phnom Penh

While things have definately gotten better(?) since this quote was published in one of the most infamous underground books ever written, and read by every traveler to Phnom Penh in the last 10 years... there is still an air of truth to it... its a city like no where else... and if i had had more battery in my camera, you would have seen a lot more of it... but alas... these pics will have to do....





And here now we get at quick glimpse of the city where I lived... the most fabulous Phnom Penh...

This here is independence monument... a major landmark to know if you want to get around the city.








This is a really awesome Fench style abandoned place... i think it was the embassy back in the day... but really don't know for sure.





This here is the national museum... which i unfortunately never actually got to go in... guess i was jut saving it for next time



And here we have the infamous row of "happy" pizza shops along the waterfront... if you don't get what they are, i'm not really sure if i should tell you.







This first video is of the resturants that I ate lunch at every day... how awesome are they! Shame we have nothing like that here.








And this is the main strip down at the waterfront... lots of resturants, bars, cafes, shops, hotels, etc. and the video ends at the FCC... the basic hub of expat life... with a very traditional french expat feel to it.

"All work and no play..." Ha!

So I've mentioned bits and pieces about where I work and what I've been doing here... so now I'll just give you the run down w/ some pics...

This here is my desk

This is the no bribary sign... which i actually had some lawyers complain to me about, though i won't name anyone

Here are some political signs... also about bribing judges

And this is a fabulously translated sign that actually required the use of white out and they still got it wrong

This here is the most incredible view from a work location... What you're looking at is Wat Lanka...

And this... This is an epson printer sitting the bathtub... along with tons of files and things.... there were even filing cabinets in the bathroom....

Preah Kho Botr

So, tonight we went and saw some traditional shadow puppets in a play called Preah Kho Botr... Yeah, there are some videos in there...



First they have the Sampeah Kru, or master invocation, where they offer prayers to the god's first...





Then Sva So and Sva Khmao, the monkeys fight



Then its the actual story, which was about the son of the Sun and his Wife who they entrasted to humans... etc. etc.



Young Preah kho Botr (the baby) and the ancestral master Maha Eysei and a young man who serves him



This was the monkey Hemebien




The Apsara Queens/Goddesses



The Cast



Awesoem battle scene...

"The itsy bitsy spider..."

... went into robins mouth....

The King and I

Here we are at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh... biked it here, which triggered a lot of biking around the city...







This is the entrance walkway and throne hall



Here's the back of Chan Chhaya Pavillion





Now when i walked out of the thrown room all these people were gathering around... and i was like... "what are we lookin at??"... then out of no where... its the King... H'es the little guy in white w/his hands in the air... that more or less rocked my socks.





Another view of the thrown room and pavillion





This here is the royal dining hall donated by Napoleaon III , and a gate



Stupas





Wall paintings





Silver Pagoda and statue of King Norodom





More stupa spires



A monk sitting and thinking, along with a buddha



Some arts and crafts





Outside the palace... the main square





Classic music inside the palace