First Impressions

The first thing I remember when I arrived in Phnom Penh yesterday was the VSO representative waiting for us at the airport. It was funny because I had just told Meghan "I've always wanted to have someone waiting for me to arrive at the airport with a sign with my name on it" and then we turned a corner and there he was! OK so my name wasn't on the sign, it just said "VSO" but it was close enough. Even though I have traveled internationally on corporate business before with all expenses paid (which I do appreciate!), no amount of money is as valuable in those first few hours as having a local person greet you when you arrive and help you with your Visa, luggage, and transport from the airport.

The second thing I remember (or maybe this was actually the first) is that it was hot, not just hot but HOT... SAUNA HOT. I am basically in a sauna 24/7. Hopefully this means I will start to look like the people here. Who are TINY. It's funny to think that some people fret about not having hot water in a country like this, because I can't imagine ever having a use for it. The water is already warm enough. I am grateful for running water at all, for electricity, and for the cleanliness I have seen so far in this beautiful country which has surpassed all my expectations. Of course I am also grateful for VSO. The program office is awesome, it's huge, clean and nice, the food is amazing, the people are all incredibly friendly and warm. I only hope my placement office is half this nice.

The third thing I remember is coming out of the airport and being reminded of Iran. I'm not sure if it's the pollution, the markings on the curbs and roads, the parking lot, the people, the mayhem of traffic on the street, or what. Maybe it's just that this place is so different from the US that it seems more similar to the developing country I am most familiar with. I often feel this way in a new country, I even felt this way in some parts of Europe! The biggest difference, however, right off the bat, between here and every other country I have ever been to in my life is the vast number of motos (motorcycles and mopeds) on the streets that dominate the traffic. Cars are in the minority here, making up only perhaps 10-15% of total traffic. That is a sign of how much poorer this country is, and that is where the comparisons end.