"If you do not change direction you may end up where you are going" ~ Lao Tzu

Trusty Ba-dun picked me up this morning (got his name wrong yesterday) and off I went to the American Embassy to find out if I really need a Japanese Encephalitis vaccination.  I've already gotten personal with a few mosquitos and was feeling a bit paranoid.  A friend also kept insisting that I should let them know I'm here.  Well guess what - they couldn't care less.  Through multiple bullet proof windows I was told that I should get the shot at the Paster (???) and pay for it myself (well yeah) .  And they were very not-nice about it.  What are embassies actually for again?  I started to feel that this was the #1 on my to-do list then realized that the person on the other side of the glass really didn't speak much English so I decided get a second opinion.  I also remember some good advice from a very long time ago.  If you ever need help in a foreign country go to the British or French Embassy.  This advice came from someone in the American Embassy.  

I then took a very long hot walk to find Gloria Jeans for coffee.  It was along the river and the Lonely Planet book talked about scenic river cruises so I thought this would be a good excursion.  Ha!  The river looked great last night - in the dark.  It is a totally murky coffee color that swallows the sunlight so no light reflection either, which is an odd effect, with...things floating along (and I'm not talking boats - there are a few of those as well).  A few interesting stores overlooking the Mekong River such as this Coffin Shop, next to the video store and massage parlor.  

All the coffins were very colorful but I was afraid to get a better picture
in case I appeared to be disrespectful. 

I couldn't find Gloria Jeans so turned around, disappointed, sweaty and lightheaded.  I decided to cross the street in the hopes that a different viewpoint would put Gloria's in my line of vision.  Well I ended up literally bumping into...Brown.  Tra. La. Laaaa

Actually better than Starbucks - yes it's true.  Just a little bit of Air-conditioned heaven.  "Air" deserves to be capitalized here.  And thus my opening Lao quote.  I was so busy looking for the familiar that I almost missed a serendipitous discovery.  A good lesson to take to heart.  As I move towards my anticipated goal, keep my eyes open for new opportunities, but also don't forget to keep my eyes on the road or I could get run over by one of a thousand TukTuks, bicycles, trucks or mopeds!

Found the Central Market with about 20,000 vendors selling everything from ipods to butt enhancers.  What is a butt enhancer you ask?  Well I thought you'd need a photo...

Yes - these were sold in MANY stalls.  Apparently
Cambodians are concerned about their boodies.
Or is that booties?  And not just for women...

...and we have a few shoes...This was one of about
50 shoe rows.  And I only saw about 1/5 of the market.

Ba-dun greeted me at the entrance to the market and conquered my street crossing fear by grabbing my hand and using his other had to halt the traffic, stepping out into its midst like he was Moses parting the Red Sea.

Along the way I see things that make me think of people from home.  All the power lines look like this:

These pics are for Brian Keefe and Robert Dostis, my Vermont utility friends!  And I've seen worse.  with all the wires laying around the road at the base of these poles!  

And I've got a couple for Joe Benning and John Rodgers Vermont's Libertarian-ish Senators:

 
Cambodians don't all need no stinking helmets, especially the kids.  And there are four people on both bikes.  Five is the maximum I've seen thus far.  

I don't think this will ever get old.

A couple of interesting sights on my way to work.

Every trip out is an event of a lifetime!

         

                

But the very best part of my day... I am hooked...