Khmer is spoken throughout Cambodia. It’s a beautiful language. Many people here also learn English. French is sometimes spoken, too. Can you guess why they speak English and French? English is a widely used global language. Many people choose to learn English, if they can, in order to have better economic and career opportunities. French is spoken here because Cambodia used to be controlled by the French. Even through Cambodia is now independent, the history of the French in the country can be heard in the language and also in the French-style architecture found throughout the country.
The Cambodian riel is the national currency, although most places will take the U.S. dollar. It always surprises me that so many countries around the world accept the U.S. dollar!
At a grocery store in the city, a 1.5 L bottle of water costs $0.87. Most things are very cheap here for a north Americans!
The best meal I had this week was breakfast after my long flights. I traveled on a 16-hour flight, stayed in an airport in China for 18 hours and took another four-hour flight to Cambodia. I was so hungry and exhausted from my travel: it was great to eat a real meal!
