Cambodian Winter

Threats and Relativity

A fresh wind blows, the flags flutter at the top of their poles at the Riverside. Over night the temperatures have dropped to an all time low. At least it seems like that. Early in the morning one can see a shady haze on the river confluence in front of the Royal Palace.

People wear big woolen shawls and flurry hats. Some Motodop drivers wear gloves, others put on big fluffy socks with their flip flops. Winter has arrived and everybody acts as if an arctic storm has taken hold of the city. "Uhhhhhhiii, me so colda!" The tuktuk drivers ask for extra money for longer distances, not because it is far, but because it is too cold...

A giant flu epidemic has hit hard on the population wearing the weak down over a few days. I had to stay in bed for three days too. Rumors of a new outbreak of bird flu make the rounds and I was waiting for the Ministry of Health to put out familiar warning leaflets, such as when Cambodia was hit by SARS.

Back then, the Ministry issued a decree that the consumption of green beans would help the immune system to better deal with the virus. The price of green beans rose tenfold over night. But nothing of the kind happens this time round.

It is just the Cambodian winter that has hit Phnom Penh with an amazing 21 degrees!!! It is all relative...

eMEe, your man in Phnom Penh