...We are the sum of our experiences...

Simple directions?

I am still struggling with many of the cultural elements of Cambodia. Today I became incredibly frustrated about needing to rely on drivers to take me where I want to go. The area I was headed to was new to me, but less than 3 or 4 minutes from my house. It should have been easy.

I ended up:

• Going the wrong way down a major one way street
• Pulling up at a cafe across town (regular haunt, but not where I was headed)
• Outside the Genocide Museum, twice
• Finally reaching my destination and paying the driver extra and immensely frustrated

This all happened despite thorough preparation on my part. I found a driver who spoke reasonable English. I showed him the map. I outlined major streets. I was patient. We agreed on landmarks. Then we set off.

We went in the opposite direction to what I was expecting, then past the street we needed to turn into. I pointed at which streets we should turn down to correct the mistake, but we sailed past them.

I am confident that was not a language issue.

I am still trying to work out why he dismissed the directions and help I was offering to get me to my destination. We stopped for directions from other Khmer drivers no less than 5 times. Maybe because I’m foreign and female. Maybe there is some weird road rule I’m not aware of. Maybe he didn’t trust the map I kept referring to.

Two weeks left. I’m sure I’ll be leaving with more questions than I started with, there is so much I don’t understand.

posted by Jess @ 9:45 PM