Crossroads

These are the roads leading to the guesthouse we stayed at. They are typical of many of the roads in Siem Reap. It seems that tar/bitumen is optional, really only necessary for main roads. As a result, many of the roads are dusty, bumpy, and sometimes smelly. The bonus, however, is that the pace of the traffic is pretty relaxed. This gives the local kiddies (and tourists!) plenty of time to get out of the way of plodding tuk-tuks.

These roads are great to explore on the back of a moped. One does not want to be actually driving as (a) Street signs are a rare species and (b) an intimate knowledge of the road rules not obeyed is essential.

An interesting feature of the streetscape are the many and varied dwellings. What is most remarkable is the contrast between different homes on the same street. One may be the epitome of the city's economic development, replete with marble floor foyer, wood carved doors, and a fancy car standing on a paved driveway. Just next door is likely to be a home that resembles something that should have been abandoned years ago - if only the occupants had that option. These homes are mostly roofed, may have all of the thatched walls, a chicken or two will be wandering around the dusty back yard while a women washes clothes by hand. It would be like seeing a corrugated tin shack next to a stately mansion in Rockcliffe or Mosman.

Yet the description does not do these streets justice. Sure, there is dust, bumps, roadworks done by hand (those grey cylindrical things are part of the fledgling sewer system... waiting for the fellows with shovels), traffic goes every which way, and yes, there are desperately poor people around.

The streets are lively. All day, people are running/zooming/putputting along them. The streets feel friendly, and inviting to explorers. And in the end, how could you not love walking along a banana-tree lined dirt road?

Gabriel's Lament - Paul Bailey

This book took a little longer to read - mostly because I've taken to listening to podcasts on the train, during the time when I normally focus on reading. Listening and reading is proving rather difficult, though I think I'm getting the hang of it.

Right... Gabriel's mother's about half his father's age, his father's a bit of an up-himself Willy Loman type. Mummy dearest leaves, Father makes like she's having a nice little holiday (now that he's come into some money), Gabriel doesn't account for much til the end of the book, which is more or less a chronological musing taking place some time after Father's passing.

There are interesting bits in the book, Mr Nazareth particularly; and the Lament itself is quite believable. I shall keep to myself the trigger of the grief which spawned the Lament, suffice to say that after the revelation it was more of a 'well, that makes sense' type of reaction than a 'no way! I'd never have thought' one.

And that fits in perfectly with the story.

The Will - Reed Arvin

The novel is plenty interesting - machinations of county politics and wealth in Kansas. It's not nearly so profound nor engaging as the back cover would make it seem: shocking secrets, confronting the truth about himself...

Nah. Small town boy goes to work in Chicago big time law firm, comes home and redisovers his roots. A few nasty local secrets, a contested will, and a crazy guy fill out the story.

Engaging enough to stay interested, though.