Cambodia - Picturesque Poverty

Great Pics, Nice story
Like your story and nice pictures. Been there so can understand how you felt! There are too many tourists, yes, Koreans, and i myself don't like them much! Sorry...! :)

Im heading to cambodia in a few months and loved your blog and sweet pics.Thanks guys.carry on having fun!!

Different approach
Hi - This was a very interesting blog. I myself am Cambodian and went back there for the first time since I was 4 a few years ago. I did notice the begging and the selling, but didn't really find it any more or less than when I was in certain places in the Bahamas or Mexico, or basically any place where poverty can be seen outright. Also lots of kids asking for money or trying to sell things to you there too. I think the difference could be because I am Cambodian, and although I still look like a tourist, I did speak the language well, and I was with local relatives who knew where to take me and how to barter. Prices I thought were super cheap (I mean $1 US dollar for a full meal!). If you know how to barter right, souvenirs are also cheap as well. I brought back several beautiful paintings from there, each at $9 US Dollars. I found that exchanging $20 US Dollars gave me plenty of money to pass out to beggers. Most of the kids that beg ask for $100 Reils ... which comes out to about less than $0.03 cents US dollar. $1 US Dollar exchanges to $4,000 Reils!! As for the stomach pains and running to the bathroom ... I don't think it has too much to do with the "khmer curry", but rather that your body is just trying to adjust to new foods, flavors, seasoning, the way things are cooked, etc ... Even though I grew up on Cambodian food, when I was there, the entire 3rd week of my stay was pretty much stomach pains and running to the bathroom, but once my body finally adjusted to the difference, I was perfectly fine and happy and was able to go on as normal for the rest of my trip. Overall, Cambodia was beautiful with a lot of rich history. I would completely suggest visiting, but definitely do your research and pick out a really good touring company if you don't have local contacts there.