This weekend, I went to Phnom Penh’s Russian market (Tuol Tum Poung for locals) this afternoon to buy some apparel. The market has so much to offer to both locals and tourists.

Khmer teenagers and middle ages love to shop in Russian market for a few reasons. It’s understood that a number of apparel products were made in Cambodia for export purpose, but a small number of the to-be-exported products can be found in this market. The brand-name is also the most sought-after and deciding factor at the time that the price is quite reasonable. The two reasons mentioned above are probably the primary ones. Additionally, this Cambodian Russian market is easily accessible to most Phnom Penh residents.

As market vendors are not solely dependent on foreign tourists, asking price for each gift item is quite acceptable, if not reasonable to some. The Russian market, a few blocks away from the Chinese Embassy (located Mao Tse-Tung boulevard), is much known as a souvenir market for tourists; it’s a must-to-shop center for most budget and business travelers to the Cambodian capital city. I find that many vendors and sellers are quite friendly (happy selling, I think).

After buying some stuff (not all yet), I was passing by a Westerner who were dealing with a seller of statues and hand-made idols. I glanced at them while I was walking my way. It was interesting to see how the man try to convince the woman seller the price he offered was good to her. The money was out of his pocket already as he said that’s all he’s got for the gift, a wooden-made Bayon statue. The lady couldn’t help as trading took place already; and she was joyously talked to the tourist in her broken Khmer-English that you-happy-and-me-happy.