The similarity of its history with the Jews makes Cambodia an ideal place for a Jewish travel itinerary. Both cultures have experienced a dark past. Both peoples have shown their resilience in overcoming adversity and loss. Over the years, time did its course. Today, the people of Cambodia are one of the most vibrant and welcoming population in the world. Traveling in the Southeast Asian country is not only a delight, but an immersion into its rich culture as well. As you're getting ready to travel to Cambodia, take time to remember these basics. Getting the Basics As soon as you get on the shores of Cambodia, get a sim card. This is especially helpful when you need internet connection while you're traveling. The network reception is usually reliable, and as a traveler, expect to Google a lot of things about the place. If bargaining is your game, then Cambodia is your playground. Negotiating for prices is very common in shops. Look up some bargaining techniques online to learn a move or two that will land you into good deals. For travelers from the West who are quite uncomfortable with this practice, paying the first price quoted to you is a welcomed practice as well. Another tip you need to remember is that the locals tend to charge foreigners more. When that happens, your bargaining moves may come in handy. When it comes to money matters in Cambodia, most shops usually accept US Dollars, but getting local currency is always the best way to transact when you're traveling. Getting Around The best way to get around Cambodia is by motorbike. When you get an entire day free for traveling a city, rent a motorbike. Look up groups on Facebook for people who rent out motorbikes. It makes going to places easier if you're on a self-guided tour. However, if you're on an excursion to see the sights, bring a jacket. The buses in Cambodia usually have their air conditioning turned up to the highest setting. The difference in the temperature inside and outside the bus can be hard to get used to, but having jackets in handy is always a big help. One important tip when going around Cambodia is to try and avoid the Tuktuks -- long cars pulled by a motorbike. Getting on those things looks like a lot of fun, but these cars tend to overcharge a lot. Getting Hungry? Eat local, but stay kosher. Cambodia has a strong Jewish community; they are very warm and friendly. They have a restaurant that serves fresh kosher food all day long. You can even get some food delivered to wherever you are within the city. Local food trips in Cambodia come in three price tiers; the ridiculous tourist price, the reasonable tourist price, and the local price. Ask a local where they usually eat. A basic rule of thumb when eating street food is to go where it's crowded. The food is usually fresh in these stalls because they're busy serving every time. Getting to Know the Locals Any vacation outside of your hometown should be an immersive cultural experience. The best way to immerse yourself is to interact with the locals. Talk to the ones outside of the tourist areas, they're usually the ones with the legitimate street knowledge. A lot of travelers often worry about the language barrier, though Cambodia has a good English-speaking population. If you do get into places where the people can't speak or understand English, use Google Translate. Another thing you need to familiarize when interacting with locals in Cambodia is the hand signals. Some gestures may mean differently across cultures. The Cambodians are usually very reserved. When you're in the streets of Cambodia, try not to be very affectionate. Something as light as seeing someone holding hands can be a shocker to the locals. Act conservative, observe how the locals act around each other, and try to blend in. When you head over to Cambodia, make sure to check out all the Angkor temples. Drink in all the ancient architectural amazement. For a Jew, Cambodians may look like your peculiar twin sibling from the other side of the world. The histories and the resilience that carried the people through the years is just the beginning of the similarities between Jewish and Cambodian cultures. Head over to Cambodia soon. Who would've thought Cambodia would be the next best place for a Jewish vacation?
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