Cyclo Test Drive

The cyclo (pronounced, 'see-klo') is the least expensive form of transportation in Phnom Penh and a common sight here. As you can see, the cyclo is a hybrid of the Chinese rickshaw that puts the passenger out front and the peddling driver in the rear. Designed for a single fare, having two folks squeezed in, or one on another lap is not uncommon. A trip of perhaps two-miles commands an equivalent of about 35 cents.

In this video short, I am touring around the fellow that runs the 'Cyclo Operators Association'. I am so tall that my knees hit the steering bar if I don't keep my legs wide-open. For whatever reason, the brake for all cyclo's is located behind the drivers seat. A big ring you pull-up on to slow down. In this video, as I am into my turn, I reach back to pull the brake but don't find it with my hand. A fellow sees this and run up behind me in case I get into trouble.

Exploring Interesting Architecture in Phnom Penh

Buddhist cats. Not only do people here tend to be more gentle and serene, animals do too.

This is a grad student from Phnom Pehn University, School of Architecture touring the city with Chean Long and myself. We are about to explore the former headquarters of the megalomania dictator, Pol Pot.

Pol Pot's former lair. This bastard ruled Cambodia just over three years (1975 - 1979) but unleashed terror and ground this little country to the stone-age. One in five Cambodians did not survive his carnage. Only now - some 30 years later - has Cambodia started to get back on it's feet.

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Touring an interesting building converted to a health care clinic. As you can see, we arrived on a rather slow day. Doctor and two nurses playing cards on emergency room beds.

When you get sick, go to the clinic. Do not go to school or work and spread your sickness.

Wash your food and your hands to keep from becoming sick

Check-out proteins. Click to enlarge. There maybe something missing in your diet. Snake, cricket, larvae, worms and bugs. Acquired tastes for sure, but properly prepared, likely better for ones long-term health than McDonald's...I am told.

Clinic 'cooker' doing prep work for staff lunch. Everywhere in this region - people are constantly cooking. Just like westerners, after an Asian meal, they become hungry in no time as well!

Come to the clinic during pregnancy. Return to the clinic after birth. Are we missing a step here? Most often not. This is a country that routinely uses mid-wives and often considered outside the practice of clinics and hospitals -unless there is a problem.

Those are some typical, general, household looking scissors, common here.

Weigh the baby as it grows.

Interesting clinic interior. Built in the late 1960's.

The Asian squat. To them, just as - if not more comfortable - than sitting on a bench - or doing several other things.

Cops momentarily block a boulevard so as the Prime Minister can whizz by without delay.

The kitchen of a local eatery going full-tilt doing lunch orders.

There You Go!

As background, there are thousands of what are called NGO's (Non Government Organisations) across the Third World. The idea is the NGO gather donors to their cause. Just like any other business', some are good and some are bad. This NGO is another one I think is important and good.