Ladders and Traffic Gridlock

Over the weekend there was another holiday in Cambodia. October 15th was the Commemoration Day of the King's Father. The park was dressed with wreaths around the monument to King Norodom Sihanouk. There are large photo displays that have been changed to a photo of the King's father and a sign (in Khmer) to remember him. Without these decoration we would have completely missed this holiday.

Our days at the office seem to just fly by. Along with our Self-Reliance Services responsibilities we are often asked for advise, and help in many unique and different ways. We love to help in any way that we can and our whole desire is to make a difference while we are here.

Ladders are something we see in the city every day, usually being held in some awkward position on a moto. One ladder for today was extended to lean against a large bundle of overhead wires, with one worker at the top and another standing as a stabilizing support at the bottom. This was strategically located in the middle of a busy intersection. Just one more thing we would never see back home.

As we left for home we didn't get very far before we found traffic tied in knots. A photo cannot begin to show the gridlock caused by drivers who zoom their way into an inch of unoccupied space to square off against the traffic going another direction in a street crimped to a width just wide enough for one small vehicle, then add swarms of motos pushing their way in until no one can move. Of course in the middle of the traffic jam was another ladder on a moto. If only people would follow order instead of thinking the invisible path they can see is only for them.