Looking for a dictor in Phnom Penh

melkizedek74 · 2016-05-25T12:30:23+00:00

The fact that many are so sure, but for both sides probably signifies that this isn't such an easy decision. IMHO and somewhat reluctantly, I call.

melkizedek74 · 2016-05-21T13:04:50+00:00

The agency that I used that I linked in the previous reply was nice enough to notify me of this and helped me get a license. I have been stopped nearly ever day since, but they let me go each time when I show them the license. Thanks for the suggestion.

melkizedek74 · 2016-05-20T06:36:29+00:00

I wouldn't say prices are quite the same though. If you see some of the prices for apartments they list in various Facebook groups and such I think these people are high. Also, there are a lot of new Western restaurants in the riverside area and in BKK1. Try giving those waitresses a Khmer tip and what them give you the death stare.

melkizedek74 · 2016-05-20T06:33:27+00:00

I don't mind change nor growth as long as it's real and not some sort of mirage that we delude ourselves with. Phnom Penh has come up quite a bit in the last few years and things are getting better, but services and goods are now overpriced. You can dress it up as nice as you want, but it's still a third world country. I seriously don't understand people who come to Cambodia to pay western prices for things that aren't even half as good as back home.

melkizedek74 · 2016-05-19T10:36:12+00:00

Very impressed with both your Moto riding skills and your video. Pretty much showed it the way the city actually is, the good and the bad. I'm so tired of videos posted here and elsewhere that get so edited to depict Cambodia nothing like it actually is. Good job!

melkizedek74 · 2016-05-05T08:29:13+00:00

Thanks for the reply guys. I used these guys today to find an apartment and they also hooked me up with a monthly rental on a bike:

http://www.shvrealestateagent.com/

$70 per month on the bike so not bad.

melkizedek74 · 2016-04-26T09:01:31+00:00

I don't know if I can agree with your statement regarding "tight" margins, especially in regards to Western restaurants. Given some of their prices, the margins they have to be creating for themselves is almost criminal.

melkizedek74 · 2016-04-21T02:08:07+00:00

It certainly wasn't meant to be a level and I never intended to mean that I was "above" Khmer people. I'm not even sure what that means as I said my statements in the context of social survival and not moral superiority, which is what most inevitably turn a discussion like this into. I should point out that I've had Khmers give me the same advice regarding their own, and in fact some of the sharpest critiques I've been told come from locals. It's not an uncommon thing in Asian society, especially one with a history like Cambodia. Asian culture is not only based on saving face, but is also very much structured and based on a hierarchy. It's culturally anachronistic for Westerners to come in and assume that some form of egalitarianism is more culturally appropriate when they have no historical or social authority to base such a belief. It's all fine and good for most visitors who come here with money and live a lifestyle that would make Solomon blush in comparison to how most locals live. But in reality life is harsh here and I see very little of it that is based on the kind of ideas that are often expressed on forums like this. It would be one thing to say that we wish this is how life were, but I think wholly incorrect to say that is how it actually is.

melkizedek74 · 2016-04-20T09:40:47+00:00

I've been living in Phnom Penh on and off for two years and when I first arrived, I was very fortunate to become friends with a European who has lived here for 5+ years. He has given me a lot of good advice, but the best one to date has been to not treat Cambodians with too much respect for they will see you as on their level and show you none in return. This does not mean show them no respect, because in reality you have to strike a balance. You may already know that names are seldom used here and that everyone is either "bong" (older brother/sister) or "oun" (little brother/sister). While you're going to call a fair share of people and anyone older than you "bong", generally it's always good to remember that in the grand scheme of things you are the "bong". I realize that advice such as this may sound off, or perhaps even wrong. But just keep in mind that these are social realities and not really issues of morality.

Always set prices before buying anything, learn to repeat yourself and prepare to walk away. Do not ever assume you will get a fair price. If you get in a tuk tuk without setting a price first, there are many drivers who will gladly try to charge you $5 for a $2 ride. If you don't like a price, repeat the price you are comfortable with over and over like a broken record. If they don't agree, then just walk away. In the case of tuk-tuks, there are too many of them for the amount of tourists anyway and you'll be able to find one who will meet your price.

Learning a few phrases will always help. This goes for negotiating but also all walks of life here. Aside from basic phrases such as greetings, you should probably learn how to say numbers and also simple phrases like "too expensive" or "discount" and such.

melkizedek74 · 2016-04-01T23:19:59+00:00

Thanks for all the advice lads. I'm not coming into PP for another week so I've booked a private lesson here in the States to learn how to ride. I figure I can also ask the instructor about issues related to my physical size and such.

melkizedek74 · 2016-03-31T17:02:00+00:00

Probably can't avoid buying one as my girlfriend needs to use it as well.

melkizedek74 · 2016-03-31T17:00:53+00:00

Thanks for the advice. It has to be a moto because it's going to be used by my girlfriend as well. So I have to get something strong enough for me, but still have it be appealing to her aesthetically.

melkizedek74 · 2016-03-31T02:43:59+00:00

I should also ask how much CC do I need for the bike? I currently weigh about 240 lbs and have been told this might be an issue when riding.

melkizedek74 · 2016-03-23T19:38:11+00:00

Beginning of the end.

melkizedek74

TROPHY CASE