Exercise Row

Since arriving in Phnom Penh, I have wanted to try the exercise machines.  Along the very open and very public waterfront, there is a row of a dozen exercise machines.  Within my first week here, I noticed they were all occupied during my morning commute.  Cambodians enjoy exercise, and generally work out in the early morning and late afternoons when it's slightly cooler than the hot, humid mid-day.  I soon looked forward every day to passing the machines - I call them Exercise Row - and became fascinated that people felt comfortable working out in such a public fashion.  Some of the machines do not place your body parts in the most flattering positions, but Cambodians either don't mind or don't care!

  

Erica at Exercise Row

This past weekend, I finally set out to visit Exercise Row and check it out up-close.  After taking ample time to stroll and shop along the waterfront, it was 11:00 by the time we arrived.  For once, it was a ghost town.  There was not a single other person there.  Which was perfect, because Laura and I had the place to ourselves to try every machine!

Laura using the leg swing machine

Erica on the elliptical

Laura on the what-is-this-thing-and-what-body-part-does-it-work-out?

We quickly discovered why no one else was at Exercise Row.  Besides the strong sun and the humid air, the metal equipment was crazy hot.  In fact, I could barely hold myself up on the parallel bars long enough for the below photo without burning my hands!  But I made it through every machine and can now say: "Exercise Row - check!"
 

Erica struggling not to burn her hands on the parallel bars

Moto City

Every expat car driver and pedestrian in Phnom Penh has cursed moto drivers zipping in and out of traffic and speeding down any open pathway regardless of road rules or common sense.  We deplore their lack of caution and lack of helmets.  However, the moto is indisputably the fastest way to travel through the city's narrow, congested streets.  Therefore, it was no surprise that it only took Jeremy three months to buy a moto after arriving in Cambodia.

His initial test drive was inauspicious.  Jeremy settled down on the seat, twisted the throttle, and the moto shot out from under him!  With only wounded pride, he gave it another go (more gently this time), and soon told the seller "I'll take it!"

Now, the moto is his regular mode of transport.  Jeremy rides it to and from work, footy practice, errands.  Basically, he rides it anytime he's going somewhere without me!  I have not taken to the moto so easily.  I finally agreed to ride as Jeremy's passenger for the first time just a few weeks ago.  I feel very nervous on the moto and incredibly vulnerable.  But after a year of refusals, I've now been his passenger three times.  I've even pledged to drive it at least once before we leave. Perhaps I'll become a moto convert yet.

Jeremy with his Yamaha Nuovo