Markets

The markets here are phenomenal! They are one of my top favorite things to see. I could spend all day wandering around the tiny lanes, navigating through bowls of still moving fish, piles of pomello, and hunks of meat! The market places are the best place to really observe the people and get a feel for life. The morning time is one of the best times because women are out doing the day's shopping, people are eating their morning meals at the food stalls, people congregate for a morning coffee and to talk on the sidewalk, and many of the food sellers set out their stuff.
The markets here are similar to Singapore's markets as all the sellers come together in one area and sell their things. In Nepal, the street vendors would simply set up their shops wherever they felt on the street, and there was not one central area. The markets are similar to Nepal in that there is so much chaos! People set up their area on the street and on the ground.
Things to be seen at the market:
-The people! This is probably the best place to people watch in the whole city. So much life! Such a good slice of humanity! A good place to watch people go about their daily lives. Eating, talking, cooking, preparing foods. I love to watch the people at the markets. The way they eat, the way they select their fruits and vegetables, and barter with the sales people.
-Baguettes! The French seem to have left a legacy of nice architecture and amazing fresh baguettes. Every morning you can buy a baguette for 1,000 riel or less and it is fresh baked! Women carry around woven trays of fresh bread through the market lanes.
-Fruits. So many great exotic fruits!
-Fish: Most of the time still moving. So you can really ensure you are getting the freshest ones.
-Meal stalls: In the markets you can also get a full meal. I have vowed off restaurants so have been eating all my meals at different food stalls. This is just so fun. This morning I had a breakfast of Cambodian noodle soup, sort of like vietnamese pho, but with different broth. If you eat at these stalls you have to endure everyone staring at you because I don't think many foreigners eat here, but it is definetally worth it for the great food.
-Meats: I can't even begin trying to figure out all the sorts of meats and animal parts they have at the markets here. But I'll try: dried squids, dried fish, snakes, hearts, legs, whole chickens, chicken feat, chicken heads, intestines, fish off all sorts, eels, and a million other things. Oh, this morning I saw a woman with a stall of frogs which she was skinning!
-Besides just fresh food they have alot of other things at the markets. Some of the other things they have are: drink places, jewellry stalls, gold, gems, good melting stalls, waffle makers, kitchen stuff and dishes, clothing, shoes, hats, souvenirs, hair salons, and so much more! I love the markets so much! They are one of the best things about Cambodia!

Concerning food: One thing I really like about SE Asia is how much people enjoy their food. Food seems like a much more special thing that in the states where every thign is connected to the dirty word: "calorie." Oh my gosh, that has 500 calories, I can't eat it!! There is nothing like that here. People take pride in their food and thoroughly enjoy eating. Food is something fun and something worth experimenting with here. At home, it seems people try to avoid food more than really enjoy it. Another fun thing: the preparation of your food at food stalls. People actually spend a good amount of time preparing food specially for you. This makes eating it much more special than at a restaurant where you don't get to watch them cook it. I really enjoy watching the people at the food stalls make my food with care. And I enjoy the food so much more! I think the peoples of SE Asia have something to teach the west about food! Enjoy your food! Eat good food! Don't be so worried about calories and being skinny! Take care in making your food and use good, fresh ingredients and nice spices! Savor every bite of your meal, don't scarf it down! Enjoy watching the person make it for you with care! Eating is fun!