Eb Chhay

Its a sound I hear every morning around 9 or so. “Eb Chhay…. Eb Chhay….”
Eb Chhay is a person (generally ethnic Vietnamese) who walks around town with a 2 wheeled cart and buy back pretty much anything that can be recycled. What doesn’t get bought by them gets sent to the notorious Stung Meanchey garbage dump.

Taken on Mao Tse Tung at a light near the Russian Market. A couple of kids hanging out in a cart goofing around.

Taking a break from the heat

Sue and I went to the Meta House last night to view a documentary in progress about Vann Molyvann, an architect who has built such iconic structures like the Independence Monument and the National Olympic Stadium.
Sadly, most of the buildings that he has designed are being left to decay or flat out destroyed in the name of progress.
So I am putting in another photo taken for the Cambodia Daily a year ago when the French Cultural Center organized a tour with the architect to view and talk about his lifes work.

Vann Molyvann at the Teacher Training College in Phnom Penh

Three portraits

Three very different portraits taken during the magic hour at Psar Thmei. Enjoy!

First off is the security guard that let Georgia, Rick and I take some shots inside the construction area.

Guard at Psar Thmei

Second is a gentleman sharpening some knives outside Psar Thmei. I like the booties.

A knife sharpened outside Psar Thmei

Lastly is of Georgia from the Phnom Penh Post walking through the new stalls to Psar Thmei.

Georgia from the Phnom Penh Post inside Psar Thmei

Contrast

The Bassac River Front was part of an ambitious plan in the 60′s to create a new Phnom Penh and was originally designed as low-cost housing. Inspired by an Algerian housing project by Vladimir Bodiansky and co-designed by Vann Molyvann, it is 300 meters long and comprises of 6 blocks that are separated, yet joined by opened staircases.
Now, the building is left in disarray, occupied by squatters. Pretty soon, it will go the way of other historical buildings in Phnom Penh and will be levelled.

The Building