| The automobile has been one of the world's greatest | | | | Phnom Penh, will give you a greater appreciation for |
| inventions, giving people an affordable and convenient | | | | traffic back home. Oftentimes, drivers will weave |
| method of personal travel. Although the versatility | | | | their way in and out of cars, follow too closely, |
| and usefulness of cars still reign in many parts of the | | | | nearly knock over other motorcyclists and even drive |
| world, in Southeast Asia motorcycles and scooters | | | | head-on into opposing traffic. It truly is an adventure. |
| seem to be not only more common, but more cost | | | | Not Just Transportationmotorbike driver with |
| effective and necessary for livelihood. | | | | bamboo poles in Phnom Penh Still, owning a |
| Making a Tuk Tuk | | | | motorcycle can mean a livelihood for many |
| In Cambodia, for example, many locals will attach | | | | Cambodians. The Cambodian people use motorbikes |
| trolleys or carriages to their motorbikes, thereby | | | | for everything, therefore basic knowledge and |
| turning them into makeshift taxicabs otherwise | | | | maintenance of cars and motorbikes is essential. |
| known as "tuk tuks." For westerners, this is an | | | | Unfortunately, Cambodia is still struggling to educate |
| unheard of and possibly dangerous idea. Still, in cities | | | | its many citizens and to recover from the genocidal |
| throughout the country, you will see hundreds of | | | | impact of the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979). |
| "tuk tuk" drivers parked along main roads, | | | | Because of the mass genocides of the Cambodian |
| guesthouses, hotels, restaurants and pretty much | | | | people during the late 1970s, modern Cambodia is |
| anywhere else. These men spend their days shuffling | | | | also known as a country of orphans. Close to 35 |
| tourists up and down the city from museum to | | | | percent of the population is under the age of 15, the |
| temple and restaurant to guesthouse in attempt to | | | | majority of which are roaming the streets selling |
| earn their daily rice. In smaller cities, "tuk tuks" are | | | | books and other items in hopes supporting their |
| the only method of transportation aside from renting | | | | families. Unfortunately, many families discourage their |
| your own motorbike or bicycle. | | | | children from attending schools because of the high |
| Roadway Adventure gasoline sold in glass liter bottles | | | | cost of education. A year of primary school |
| "Tuk tuks" also share the road with other vehicles, | | | | education costs each child $300 a year and $470 a |
| pedestrians and bicyclists. It is not uncommon to see | | | | year for high school. |
| multiple passengers on the backs of motorbikes as | | | | There are several organizations that help sponsor and |
| well as, bamboo poles, gas tanks, bricks, groceries, | | | | promote education for orphans and poor children. For |
| etc. Gasoline is even sold in glass liter Coca Cola and | | | | more information on how to help, please visit Save |
| Pepsi bottles. Riding in a "tuk tuk" in the capital city of | | | | poor Children in Asia Organization. |