by Gabrielle Yetter

Created on: September 23, 2010

Living in Cambodia for these past two months has already caused us to question some things. Such as "What really is civilization?"

It struck us as we were setting up our lives here that some things are actually MORE efficient and simple than in the western world, dispelling the myth that all third-world countries tend to be chaotic and challenging to get around.

It started as soon as we arrived when we were whisked through the visa application in a mere 10 minutes (hand over $25 and a photo, get your passport checked and voila you have a one-month visa) and we found ourselves sitting in our tuktuk from the airport less than 30 minutes after landing from Taipei, bags collected and loaded to go.

Over the past few weeks, we've seen our share of madness on the roads but have also found ourselves questioning which way may be more "civilized". Is it the crazy drivers who straddle lanes, motorbikes which squeeze between oncoming trucks and tuttuks who careen seemingly out of control (all the while smiling and nodding and helping one another when needed) or could it be the western drivers who obey rules, drive on the right side of the road then flip their neighbour the finger, curse, or even pull out a gun? We're starting to think the Cambodians may have the right idea.

Then there was the experience of setting up a bank account. We walked into an airconditioned ANZ Bank, took a number and were seated in ancomfortable lounge for about 10 minutes before meeting with a delightful young Cambodian woman who smiled, greeted us warmly and gave us a business card (with her personal mobile phone number). The process was brief and simple and the account promptly set up at the branch. Our photos were taken (for the ATM card) and we were told to pick up our cards in 2 days time. In contrast, back home I recall waiting more than two weeks to get an ATM card which would (hopefully) arrive in the mail.

At our guesthouse (which charged a mere $10 for an airconditioned room with bathroom), we were constantly tripping over staff mopping, polishing, cleaning and tending to the communal computers in the lobby (free to guests). While it may be inexpensive accommodation, we've never seen more attentive workers who always smile when we saw them every morning, even though some may have spent the night sprawled on the wooden benches located on each floor. And, when we'd hand in the key at the reception desk, they'd

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