Siem Reap from a tuktuk driver’s perspective (part II)
By sunset we had found out that our tuktuk driver Chang was 44, that he enjoyed to picnic with his family and that he was going to show us his special picnic place. It was also going to be a great position to watch the sunset. It sure was! A lively area composed of two parallel streets that come to life at night with a major number of food vendors, clothes and toys stalls framed by uncountable blankets and rugs being unfolded to make up the picnic seating for each family. A small funfair was another bright attraction for children featuring a merry go round, car scooter and over-dimensional swans at the adjacent lake, taking youngsters for a boat ride.
Chang would drive up to the picnic sites and chat up randomly selected people, showing us what Cambodian people do or eat, storming privacy zones with no awe. I am not sure if it wasn’t more about Chang presenting himself to the people. The generous fare (talking Cambodian standards) of 5$ for driving around and having his daily volleyball practice done all in one (see part I) made Chang a happy man, which he was showing off in his friendly impulsive manner by jumping about, hugging Tomek and checking if the feeling was mutual: I very happy – you happy? Yes, we were happy. Thank you Chang for showing us your city.
VIP picnic lounge.
Getting ready for the picnic.
Getting ready for the kids.
Getting ready for hungry Cambodians.
Already having a picnic. Very popular egg and spoon – but no egg’n’spoon race!
This one says: egg and meat. Or something like that.
After serving Russian children in the seventies, flying kids in East Germany in the eighties, those planes continue to board little pilots.
Angry and lovely birds.
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Scary scooter.
Children prefer to be in the water than in the swan boat.
Stuntman to the girl.
Chang chatting up girls, then taking that child out out his mother’s arm and handing it to me. His idea of a good picture was for me to have a picture with that young mother’s baby.
Fabulous sunset.
Chang, the tutuk driver in Siem Reap.
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