Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

English speakers traveling the world have long delighted in spying funny, odd, or just plain wrong written English in the countries they visit.  Here's a sample of my favorites from Cambodia: 

I don't actually understand this sign (above) or what it's for.  I think it's for a public toilet in the downtown area.  Which is not a funny thing, especially since it would be the only public toilet I'm aware of in Phnom Penh.  But the funny part is written at the bottom:

"Mr. Toilet Public - Funded by the World Toilet Association"  

For many months I had assumed this sign (above) for the "Ministry of Cult and Religion" was a misprint and that it meant to read Ministry of Culture and Religion.  But I later found out that the true English name of this government institution matches the sign.  Clearly, Cambodians use the word cult differently and don't attach all the negative connotations to it that we do.

We saw this sign (above) on the highway while taking a road trip.  The statement "Think - Accident Bring Tears, Safety Brings Cheers" is completely true and accurate, despite a slight grammatical error.  But the sentiment is so cute and unlikely to be used on American highways, it brought a grin to my face.

This sign (above) is my favorite!  It was on a fence put up at a construction site near the Royal Palace, whose roof you can see in the background.  It read "No task banned" but I am sure it meant to say "Notice banned" as in no posting any signs on the fence.  But the combination of the mixup of similar sounds (no task = notice, close enough, right?) with the result of the sign stating the exact opposite of its intention (if no task is banned, then posting notices is okay!) still makes me laugh every time I think about it!

Motos, and Vans, and Chickens...Oh My!

A favorite pastime among expats in Phnom Penh is to talk about the crazy things we see on the roads.  Not only the unsafe driving habits, but the creative ways that Cambodians transport people and cargo.

One endlessly fascinating thing is the number of items that Cambodians can fit on a vehicle. Most Americans would probably only put two people maximum on a motorcycle.  Seeing three or more people on a moto in Phnom Penh is commonplace.  Jeremy says he saw seven once - one adult, two teenagers, and four children - but there is no photographic evidence to back up this claim.

Moto with four passengers - three adults and one child

A similar principle applies to cars here.  Again, Americans would normally count how many seats they have and only fill their car with that many people.  In Cambodia, any available space is fair game.  Including opening up the trunk of a van so that people can hang out the back or putting people on the roof!  Here's such a vehicle we saw employing both ideas at once.  And this was not on a side street on a quick jaunt across town.  This was on a highway connecting two cities. Looks comfy!

There's always room for one - or five - more

There also doesn't seem to be a limit on how much cargo you can pile onto a moto.  This moto driver has side baskets to give him more hauling space.  He's loaded both of them higher than his own head.  I can't imagine how difficult it was to balance that moto, let alone take a turn without tipping over!

2 side baskets provides 4 times as much space!  Great math!

The other amazing thing is the type of cargo seen on vehicles.  Again, the moto is king and Cambodians can fit anything on a moto.  Furniture?  Ladder?  Windshield?  No problem!  It'll work!

Moto transporting furniture

Animals on motos are also commonplace, especially once you get out of the city.  This moto has a pig strapped to the back, and the passenger is actually sitting on top of the pig!

Pig mobile

Chickens are normally tied to the moto by their feet, which leaves them hanging upside down.  A friend of mine saw such a chicken moto once when she was driving to work.  She was horrified to watch as one of the poor upside down chickens vomited.  She didn't eat chicken for days after that!  I have no idea if the chickens I've seen on motos were alive or dead, but given that story, I guess I have to assume they were alive.  

Moto with dozens of chickens

So that I don't end this post by ruining your dinner, I'll finish on a more positive note.  Not all animals on motos are destined for the slaughterhouse.  I've seen many people with their pet dogs on motos.  One day, these two ladies were stopped next to us at a busy intersection.  We had just enough time to find out this cool dog's name - Lucky - and snap a photo before traffic started moving again!

Coolest dog in Phnom Penh - Lucky!