Phnom Penh Central Market

Phnom Penh Central Market
Psah Thom Thmey -- "New Grand Market"

Today was, of course, another holiday in Cambodia, it is International Labor Day.  Since nobody else would be at the office and we did not have anything pressing, we decided to take the day off and explore the city.  We did end up going by the Mission Home to take care of some items, such as turning in a car report, but especially the preparation for the Cambodian Returned Missionary Reunion tomorrow.  We also had a number of mission related emails that we needed to respond to.

One area we have been meaning to visit is the Central Market. We went there during Khmer New Year, but not much was open. Today the market was open and crowded (probably because it is a holiday). We spent a couple of hours walking around and taking it all in. Too bad we can't add the sounds and smells to this post. Let's just say there were lots of aromas, some good, some not so good. Lots of incense and food smells. The only purchase we made was three mangoes. There were other fruits we may need to go back another time and try.

One of the heartbreaking things we see here is how many beggars there are.  The pan-handling is begun at a very early age. It is very common to have small children coming out in traffic as we stop at a light, either selling a flower, dust your window, or just asking for money. They often bring a small infant with them. We are talking a 5 year old bringing a small baby maybe a few months old out into traffic to beg for money. Tonight it was a grandmother with the baby. It is hard to just turn away and shake your head no, but if we give to them it is not helping them become self-reliant.  We see the Savior's words, "the poor ye always have with you" with these people.