Living in Battambang for the past year, I have not went without my times of distress. i mean everyday is an experience with in it self and at random times, thing's can happen. Some for the good, some for the worst. It's really random and that's what I like about this place.
When I first moved to Battambang, it was a real culture shock for me. I mean I really had no clue what Cambodia was like or what could happen while I was here. Even being born in Srok Khmer, being raised in California, U.S. most my life made me forget most of my heritage. The closes thing I had to my forgotten heritage was still being able to speak the language, if any good at that. So yes, that's how much shock I talk about when I mention (CULTURE SHOCK!)
As time went by though, I finally start to develop a desire for this place. I mean I was loving it. I mean not everyday is a good day but in being in Battambang started to becomes less stressful and more enjoyment.
Meeting new locals and even those foreigners passing through is always a good thing. In my book, networking with people is one of the most important things in my life. So having a simple coffee at EDEN while chatting with a few is considered a good time.
Those who are able including the local NGO try and help to make this community lively by offering movie nights at the HUBB, cooking classes, bike rides and much more. Lots of great places to eat and sites to see, a great experience!
But really, this is not about me having fun, this is more about what I think about Battambang city, and some of the things I think would make battambang a better place.
1. ( Street lights at night in most neighborhoods.) There were times when I was taking a ride on a moto at night and seen some on bikes, and some on moto's go flying off into some ditch, only to fall and hurt themselves. I mean maybe some could be intoxicated but who knows. I just know that if they had more street lights, things like this wouldn't happen. Plus it's a shield against those creeping through the night trying to find a lonesome victim walking home alone.
2. ( Signal lights in the city and where heavy traffic is.) If you ride a moto or just taking a ride on a moto dub, then you probably have noticed that they do not know how to drive here. I mean some try and follow some kind of traffic code here but really, it's still a mess.One time, I was on my way back from a local Pub and happen to pass a street where two young men where on the ground. One looking like he was in real pain and the other was beyond anyone's help. The story was the same two laying on the ground ended up driving their moto right into the side of a car. I guess the impact killed the driver of the moto and seriously hurt the passenger which made the guy who was driving the car speed off into the night, leaving them for dead. So with traffic lights, some might save themselves a trip to the morgue.
3. (Road construction is most needed in this city.) With many able to afford cars, Battambang's streets are zooming with both car, trucks, SUV's and moto's. Some of the major streets are ok but still need to be worked on. The ones away from the city needs it the most. I mean if your into flying dust everywhere, then this might not bug you as much. But as for me, I hope they fix them sooner than later. I have seen them do some road work here and I still can't figure out why they never seem to finish anything. I have seen them work on the same road for about 2 months, doing the same thing over and over with no progress. The proicess seems to be, come in, pour gravel, wait till the rain comes in and messes it up and then afterwards, their back there again doing the same thing. This process has been repeated more times that I would like to see and I'm wondering what it is that's stopping them from finishing it off. Who knows but I hope something good happens soon.
I'm not saying any of this is going to happen soon because as you can see, this is Cambodia where things sometimes ain't always what it seems. But if these things were to happen soon, it would be great for the city and maybe the traffic death toll would drop. Street light's would light the streets making Battambang more enjoyable when taking a night stroll with out worrying about muggers.
When I first moved to Battambang, it was a real culture shock for me. I mean I really had no clue what Cambodia was like or what could happen while I was here. Even being born in Srok Khmer, being raised in California, U.S. most my life made me forget most of my heritage. The closes thing I had to my forgotten heritage was still being able to speak the language, if any good at that. So yes, that's how much shock I talk about when I mention (CULTURE SHOCK!)
As time went by though, I finally start to develop a desire for this place. I mean I was loving it. I mean not everyday is a good day but in being in Battambang started to becomes less stressful and more enjoyment.
Meeting new locals and even those foreigners passing through is always a good thing. In my book, networking with people is one of the most important things in my life. So having a simple coffee at EDEN while chatting with a few is considered a good time.
Those who are able including the local NGO try and help to make this community lively by offering movie nights at the HUBB, cooking classes, bike rides and much more. Lots of great places to eat and sites to see, a great experience!
But really, this is not about me having fun, this is more about what I think about Battambang city, and some of the things I think would make battambang a better place.
1. ( Street lights at night in most neighborhoods.) There were times when I was taking a ride on a moto at night and seen some on bikes, and some on moto's go flying off into some ditch, only to fall and hurt themselves. I mean maybe some could be intoxicated but who knows. I just know that if they had more street lights, things like this wouldn't happen. Plus it's a shield against those creeping through the night trying to find a lonesome victim walking home alone.
2. ( Signal lights in the city and where heavy traffic is.) If you ride a moto or just taking a ride on a moto dub, then you probably have noticed that they do not know how to drive here. I mean some try and follow some kind of traffic code here but really, it's still a mess.One time, I was on my way back from a local Pub and happen to pass a street where two young men where on the ground. One looking like he was in real pain and the other was beyond anyone's help. The story was the same two laying on the ground ended up driving their moto right into the side of a car. I guess the impact killed the driver of the moto and seriously hurt the passenger which made the guy who was driving the car speed off into the night, leaving them for dead. So with traffic lights, some might save themselves a trip to the morgue.
3. (Road construction is most needed in this city.) With many able to afford cars, Battambang's streets are zooming with both car, trucks, SUV's and moto's. Some of the major streets are ok but still need to be worked on. The ones away from the city needs it the most. I mean if your into flying dust everywhere, then this might not bug you as much. But as for me, I hope they fix them sooner than later. I have seen them do some road work here and I still can't figure out why they never seem to finish anything. I have seen them work on the same road for about 2 months, doing the same thing over and over with no progress. The proicess seems to be, come in, pour gravel, wait till the rain comes in and messes it up and then afterwards, their back there again doing the same thing. This process has been repeated more times that I would like to see and I'm wondering what it is that's stopping them from finishing it off. Who knows but I hope something good happens soon.
I'm not saying any of this is going to happen soon because as you can see, this is Cambodia where things sometimes ain't always what it seems. But if these things were to happen soon, it would be great for the city and maybe the traffic death toll would drop. Street light's would light the streets making Battambang more enjoyable when taking a night stroll with out worrying about muggers.
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