Stranded! Because Obama is coming.

The road is closed because Obama is coming

The Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh is frantic. The annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit is currently underway, starting from yesterday and finishing tomorrow. The event is so special because it will expand into an East Asia summit, with US president Barack Obama attending.

The city was prettied up in preparation for the high level summits, "because Obama is coming", the locals frequently reminded us, making sure we understand how important this is to them. The garbage was swept away from the main roads where the delegations will travel. While roaming the city, I had the impression that some roads had more trash than usual. I think they just swept the garbage from the roads that will be seen onto roads that will not be seen.

The horse statues were polished because Obama is coming

The horse statues along the Sisowath Quay were freshly polished yesterday morning. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me because I went running, but I found it so funny, two men having climbed atop the statues and working on them with little pieces of cloth. When I returned later, the horses had flower garlands around their necks.

Schools are closed during the summit, I’m not sure why. Therefore some of the volunteers in our group, those who work with children, have the days off.

On my way to work on my bicycle this morning I saw that the city was full of policemen, soldiers and what looked like young people dressed in Boy Scout uniforms, making sure that traffic regulations were followed by everyone. I had almost forgotten how it feels to stop at a red light and go on the green. I wish the traffic was so civilized every day.

But it wasn't like that on my way back. Some of the roads were closed, because Obama is coming. They told me at work that I could leave my bicycle there and just walk back home, the police should let me cross the roadblocks on foot. I set off together with another volunteer who works in a nearby office. We came to the roadblock and bravely tried to cross, but the police stopped us. No crossing the road, not even on foot. No one knew how long the roadblock would last, the police wouldn't tell us.

All the traffic was redirected to a parallel road

We pulled out our maps and decided to walk the long way around the roadblock, better than just standing there doing nothing for who knows how long. So we came to a parallel road, where the traffic was redirected. We could hardly squeeze through the mass of motorcycles and all other vehicles that were totally jammed and standing still on the road. But we advanced slowly forward, having to step into mud occasionally because there was no other way to go. After about an hour and a half of walking, the traffic cleared up a little and a tuk-tuk picked us up to take us the rest of the way home.

It was quite an expedition! I hope Obama made it, we didn’t stick around to see him drive by. Tomorrow, when Obama leaves and the roads will be closed again, we’re working from home.

***

I also made an effort to find out what the summits are all about.

I gathered that the focal point of the ASEAN summit revolves around maritime disputes between China and neighboring countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan over coastal waters in the South China Sea. Apparently China is aggressive in its claim to the sea and tensions are escalating.

A major achievement yesterday was the signing of the first ever declaration on human rights in the region.

The expanded East Asia summit will continue previous negotiations for a free trade zone with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. The area would include close to half the global population and around a third of the world's GDP.

President Obama is expected to make a statement addressing the need for a political reform in Cambodia to allow further democratization.