I had no plans or the day, and really no desire to get up early so slept in for the first time in weeks and didn't roll out of bned till maybe 11am. Got ready and went downstairs with the laptop to get into the wifi across the street while I have my breakfast/lunch. As I ate I was able to upload all the leftover photo's from Laos and helped me start to catch up again. Staying on pretty much until the battery died, I then headed back to the room to sit around for a little bit before heading out. One of the very few things left to see was the central market, so around 2pm thats exactly where I went. I got the tuk tuk a little down the road from my room since I basically just keep walking until I stopped harassed for a ride and take the first one I can walk up to on my own. About 5 minutes later I arrive, only to realize I'm at the russian market. When he see's I'm not getting out, he looks over, I laugh and say no the central market. It gets across easy enough and soon after I was where I wanted to be. Walking up to the market, I'm surprised at the odd shape of the building the market goes into. Bright yellow, layered, and just plain unique to the area.
I start walking around, poking through the small shops, which is harder than you'd think because if you get to close to any single shop they pounce on you and try to sell away which gets annoying. It's not really bad though, I love it here in Cambodia. The annoyance factor is so much lower than elsewhere in SE Asia, the people are great, the money is sooo easy... I could go on, but it's hard to believe I had reservations about coming here. Such a great country. Rant aside, I make my way through the rows of shops for quite some time, looking through book shops that sell nothing but photo copied books for dirt cheap, although the covers look perfect.
I never buy anything at any of these markets, but needing socks and other things I get a few needed items. Then I pass some t-shirt shops and a shirt catches my eye. In Laos, they have a saying that is used for everything and just sums up so much. its : "same same but different" in broken english. Try bargaining with someone back in Lao, and when you say a dollar less, they'll give you an ammount close and then say " Oh my friend, same same but different ". So when I saw a nice brown shirt with just that saying on it, I had to get it. Soon after I made myself leave still kind of stunned I bought something. It's a good thing though, it will get my very few other shirts a well needed rest!
Leaving the market walking away pushing through tuk tuk and moto drivers, I really had no idea where I was walking until I realized how close I was to Wat Phnom. The park there seemed like a good place to rest a bit, and I had wanted to go back anyhow. Approaching, I couldn't beleive I missed a giant working clock in the center of a garden lining the way up the mountain to the temple. It was fantastic and simply stunned that arriving on bike I missed it.
Entering, I slowly made my rounds sitting on a bench now and then. It wasn't long before I came across the monkey's again. A woman was feeding a few quite generously which brought along one hell of a crowd. They were everywhere, sitting by there respective tree's eating away. Some with mango's, some corn, some even had star fruit. Seeing a small baby hanging onto the stomache of a much larger monkey was quite cute. I watched them for quite a while before walking just a little bit further to find a mother and baby purched on a stupa eating away. They didn't moive for a long time and I stayed watching here until they left. They were great to watch, the little guy really frisky and trying to go everywhere but held firm by mother.
Walking across the small path, they were some more monkeys playing what you would thing was hide and go seek, as they run through colored buses chasing each other and having what looks like a grand old time. This amuses me or a bit before I start wondering again.
I made it over to the museum that I had skipped before and upon finding out it was $2 to go in, I skipped it again just because there's nothing in there that's not in the national museum. The outside had some nice work on it, and fine examples of carved stone.
Leaving the park, I find a tuk tuk to go eat. I knew there was a single solitary KFC in Phnom Penh, the only main stream fast food place in the country I believe. So I get on my way there, but it was soon clear the driver was just driving, having no idea where he was going. I have no idea why they do this. I know they won't turn away a fare, but no ones going to pay to go nowhere. Eventually he pulls over to a nice fellow who translates for me and I eventually get there. Walking in, I'm greeted and make my way to the counter. The place is so different from back home, but not surprising. The prices are on par, and because of that this place is treated as a real restaurant and a serious expense. Door openers, greeters, sir and maam, etc. Service is top notch. I couldn't help but smile. I order away and before long enjoy. The best thing there which is nowhere back home is a " Cheezy Chickaroni ", essentially macaroni covered in alfredo sauce, regular cheese, and popcorn chicken. So good. Ater I gather up my things, stuff my crisp bill I got for change into my bag and head out. It seems any business gives only brnad new bills in Phnom Penh, like there cash comes from the bank everyday.
The tuk tuk back was a breeze, and some TV and internet weren't far behind. Very easy day but a good one, definately leaving in the AM, just not sure where yet lol.
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