Shopping in Cambodia

As I write my blogs, I try to be objective and not show just one side of Cambodia, for Cambodia has many sides.

Just like any country, there are beggars, poor people, middle class, rich, and then the elite.

However, the standard of living for each group differs. A person in Cambodia considered middle class, would be considered poor in other countries. So keep it in mind as you read my posts.

Siem Reap, the town that I am staying in, has two shopping centers, and about 6 markets. There are also a number of smaller mini marts to buy food. Then there are a endless supply of shops all over the place, selling just about anything. Thus, although you can get just about anything, you need to know where to find it, almost like Cayman.

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Siem Reap cinema

The town is split by a river, and it seems that most of the old town, and backpacker places are on one side of the river.

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In the old market, one can get almost anything you need for daily life. Where the newer market is more geared for tourists, and is thus cleaner.

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below are some pictures of the two shopping centers. Both being three stories high, with a supermarket below.

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Ione apple store, one of 4 stores selling apple products.

Got myself a Hummer.

Decided to get myself some transport, so went for the cross country version. All tricked out hummer with disk brakes and air suspension. The disc brakes is very useful in town when people just cut in right in front of you, and apparently in the rainy season when normal bicycle brakes fail to work in the rain.

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I picked this bad boy up for $140 second hand from the people that helped me get the apartment.

I am still deciding if i will later get a motorcycle. A second hand one is around $400 to $800, depending on what you get. Changing my cayman license is around $20 i think, and road tax for the year is $1. However, since you cannot really go faster in town with a motorbike than a bicycle, at the moment i have little use for it.
once settled, and if i decide to do some cross country trips, i may get an trail-bike.

Moving on, and getting settled

Okay, today i went room hunting. The room that was first advertised, was taken. But, apparently a room is opening next month (feb), around the middle of the month. Had a look, and was shown a similar room. Immediately took it, gave a deposit and signed the papers. not too far from where i am now, and still close to town.

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View from the owners place towards the rooms. There are 8 rooms in total, with 4 on each floor.

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Bed is to the right, and bathroom to the back. Will get a gas stove for $12. gas canisters are 0.25 cent each, and are refillable, last about 4 days.
Not bad for $80 a month

I also then decided to upgrade my room that i am currently in, and extended the stay here until the permanent room is available.
View of new room

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All in all, in one day i have found a room for permanent stay, know where to get food and toiletries, know where the banks are, found a place to renew my visa, and can get a new standard bicycle for $30, or a mountain bike for $130. I have also managed to get my cell phone set up, and got internet on my iPad mini, that i can make a hotspot for, for all my other devices. I think i will call it a day.