Traffic

The scariest thing about Cambodia is that we walk in the streets. Literally. Sidewalks are rare and sporadic; one block will have one, the next one won't. And they are not really sidewalks; they are more like parking spots on the side of the road, so they are usually obstructed by parked cars and motos. At first, I would try to go in between the parked cars and squeeze myself between them and the buildings, but eventually I realized that this was futile. I was going to have to walk in the street at some point anyways, so I may as well just get on with it. So we usually walk alongside traffic, my exposed and unprotected toes mere inches away from the wheels of motos and huge SUVs. My sister Leyla has been here before on vacation and had warned me that she hated not being able to walk on the sidewalks, but I don't think I really understood what she meant until I saw it for myself. Every second I feel that I may be run over and die. But this is nothing new for me actually. I feel like this even when I cross the streets in Chicago.

The worst part was when we were walking during the after-work rush hour and some motos started driving up onto a rare sidewalk. That was the only place that was ours. Where I could walk without fear of being run over and feel somewhat safe. But not anymore; they came up so fast, like it belonged to them. And that was when I first realized... No one else walks here. No wonder I feel so unsafe, I SHOULD. Maybe I shouldn't be walking at all. I suppose that if you had a bike and especially a moto, why would you ever need to walk? It's not like it is too cold out or there is any lack of parking. You just put your moto wherever you want (Or at least that's what it looks like to me?). Why would you ever walk? Maybe I won't need to anymore once I am given a bicycle. That would be nice.

The cars are huge. Lexus, Mercedes, Toyota... all their windows are completely darkened. Back windows, front windows, even the front windshield! Makes me wonder who is driving these huge, beautiful new cars that they need to hide... Are they druglords? Rich people? White people? To cross traffic you are just supposed to step into the street walking at a steady pace and the motos will go around you. But not the cars. The cars will not stop for you so you better not get in their way. There are no crappy or even somewhat older looking cars. The cars are ALL brand new, shiny top models. I suppose if you are rich enough to own a car here, then you are rich enough to own a nice new car and to keep upgrading it. But the sharp contrast between the new cars and falling-apart motos is unnerving. It reminds me never to forget the huge gap in earning power between the rich and poor.