Wrapping up the last full day in Cambodia. It feels like the annual streak never stopped, but COVID clearly left its mark. Today even included something unprecedented. A simple drive around town. New roads are everywhere. It truly wasn't possible to navigate side streets to see other parts out town. You had to have a reason to venture out that far. Now it's nothing more than turning down a road and gawking at all the novelty.
So many businesses are gone. Favorite restaurants, speciality shops, and even hotels where the Cambodian Prime Minister met with presidents and foreign dignitaries are vacant.
In their place new restaurants are springing up. A few hotels are remodeling. The buzz of activity is humming but at a slower pace. Cautious optimism is the prevalent attitude. A sense of an entire country ready to cater to the world. If they would just start coming.
The hotel owners and staff treated us yet again to a glorious sendoff. The table setting was almost as stunning as the food. The real treat was hearing the music, dancing, and laughter that continued on into the wee hours. Clearly they were celebrating more than our return. This was cathartic relief from long, hard months.