Culture Shocking

"Tuesday 24th Feb. Morning at your leisure". Right then. Palace and national museum tour planned for the afternoon and keen to dive in headlong we decided to hop in a tuk tuk and hit the central market first thing. 2 hot hours later and we're now chilling (?) on our verdant veranda after what can only be described as a sensual assault of the first order. 

The hub, Central Market, Phnom Penh

Shellfish

Various unrecognisable vegetables

Dried anchovies - we think

Much of the market is given over to cheap textiles (often fake branded), jade and jewellery of dubious value, cosmetics, household goods and nail bars, but without doubt the biggest fascination and the most intense sensory assault came from the food halls. With sounds, smells and sights such as never previously experienced, exploring these avenues was both wonderous and worrying. Every animal body part imaginable chopped, skinned and displayed sometimes but not always under a veil of ice (in a futile attempt to chill) and flies, fish still swimming or already dissected according to the luck of the draw, and fruits and vegetables many of which require further explanation from Sareth later. The photographs capture the visuals, the odd video clip will help to recall the sounds but the smells and the emotions you'll just have to take my word for. Culture shaken and by now feeling slightly queasy from heat and jet lag I was ready to return to our hotel to rest. City tour later ..... 

Flaked out!