Surviving in the Concrete Jungle
Hello friends!
At the moment, Jeff and I are in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We've been coming to Cambodia for years, and believe me, acclimating ourselves to this country initially took us some time. Sometimes the food in the different provinces made my stomach do somersaults, because truthfully, it can be pretty rough sometimes. I once unwittingly ate a pig snout sandwich, and no amount of sweet chili sauce camouflaged the after taste. 😣. Phnom Penh has its own set of challenges. We've dealt with pushy tuk-tuk drivers, drug dealers, drunken expats, and congested rush hour traffic. So, why do we keep coming back? First of all, Cambodia may be a poor country, but I've always been impressed by how resourceful the locals are. I figure if they have limited monetary means and can still survive, then there's definitely no reason why Jeff and I can't travel on budget, yet still help support their economy. As far as our own personal survival in Phnom Penh's concrete jungle is concerned, we do so by not falling into the rut that many of the expats do; we don't mess with drugs, and we're not big drinkers, except for the fresh coconuts we drink to replenish our electrolytes. It's so easy to get bored in Phnom Penh, and many foreigners have become alcoholics, and the 50 cent draft beer doesn't help matters. It's truly heartbreaking to see, especially in a country that has so much to offer if one is willing to search for it. Jeff and I survive in this concrete jungle by simply being mindful and selective about the company we keep, not doing drugs nor drinking too much, and making an effort to immerse in the culture. After all, isn't that really what travel is all about?
Thank you for reading!
😀👍