Utilization of Space

In Cambodia, every last inch of space is utilized. When we first arrived, it was quite apparent that many people must live in a limited amount of space. This is true of any global city, yet southeast Asian cities really stay true to that fact in a very visible way. Most shops are open-air and sit directly next to each other. There is no room for large and florid architectural structures to be present like one might see in a city such as New York. Food stands and retail booths are packed right alongside each other. In the countryside, the same use of space is true. No field is without agriculture -- whether it's rice paddies or salt farms. Both Phnom Penh and Kampot's markets take this sense of limited but fully used space to an extreme. Cameron and I agreed that walking through the market evoked an intense feeling of being intimidated and uncomfortability. One steps alongside piles of raw suage while rushes of pungent smells lead one to stride faster and faster. With all of this, one realizes that people are basically living there -- even though many must sleep elsewhere. Men are welding various metals while women chop fish that are suffused with swarms of flies. Then there are the children. This is literally where they are growing up. Infants are seen resting in hammocks in the market shops while older ones chase each other through the dirtiest water one could ever imagine. Finally, the exit is found and a calming sensation overcomes the body. It's over. No more exposure to such astounding and shocking living conditions. One's free to wander the city once more and breath fresher air. There's still that feeling that the others are still stuck in there living the same daily routine. It's a confusing and odd mindset to mull over.

--Arjun