A Coffee In The Afternoon

In the middle of the afternoon where it was hot and humid, I started to feel sleepy. The face felt like an oil pot, the body was sticky with perspiration. Waking up at 6am local time to maximize the day does have its drawbacks. Somewhere along Preah Norodom Boulevard, this is where I caved in to caffeine in the form of a good brew of cappucino.

Preah Norodom Boulevard is the premier address to lovely houses, apartments, embassies and chic shops. I was invited up to the flats and a house along the Boulevard- they're so charming and lovely! Not just the interiors- the stock cabinets, taps, etc. Lovely international quality, like any other apartment in a big city. It is such a stark contrast to the rest of the city. If the average annual salary of US$400 - 600 or about US$30 - 45 a month, I can't comprehend how their street food of rice, vegetables, meat and a drink or noodles can cost US$1 - 3.50 per item. No wonder every office worker takes a 2-hour lunch to go home for the meal. Eating out is not an option here except for a certain strata of society, expats and tourists.

I flipped through the data provided online, EIC and in my files. The data hasn't changed much since 2006 when I studied it in earnest. So it doesn't explain the huge number of Lexus I see on the road now, together with a sizeable population of Honda CRVs and Range Rovers, and a sprinkling of shiny S-class Mercedes.

Along the shops and cafes on Norodom and Sihanouk Boulevard, I'm quite amazed at how many (local and expat) women carry that ridiculous Neverfull tote. Real ones okay, not fake. I wonder why and how. The obvious answer needn't be stated here, of course. The gulf between the very rich and the very poor is immense.

Anyhow, I was glad for a respite. At this outlet (out of 3) in the city, Cafe Fresco serves Illy coffee and New Zealand Natural ice-cream- what a treat in Phnom Penh. Plus they offer free wifi!!! I was in heaven man.