T

he Blue Pumpkin, near Psar Chas, is a favorite of tourists and ex-pats alike.

There is a relaxed, outdoor area where you can settle into large wicker chairs and

watch the comings and goings of the busy central area. Upstairs, the minimalist white

setting, with a long comfy couch on one side, provides the ideal area to escape from

the noise, heat and dust. The menu has a large variety of meals, from sandwiches

to stir-frys, burgers to pastas, Western to Asian. The fruit shakes are simply sublime.

All bread is baked on the premises and there is a selection of pastries for in-house

dining or take out. All bakery items are half price after 7 p.m. There is also free

WiFi Internet access throughout the entire cafe. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner.

*** The Siem Reap Book Center opened about a month ago next to the Blue Pumpkin and

is now the largest book shop in town. It stocks a large variety of fiction books,

including a wide selection on Cambodia and Southeast Asia. For the many English teachers

in Siem Reap, there is the largest and definitely most organized selection of learning-English

books, teaching books, teaching and grammar guides and other educational supplies.

*** What happened to the fried rice stalls at the Night Market? With the recent closing

of the 10th January School to make way for apartments and a new high school, the

twenty or so food stalls open every night on the outskirts have disappeared. Unfortunately,

it appears the stalls have had to relocate to various new locations around town,

the main location being behind the fruit stalls near Centre Market. A few have set

up on the street off Sivatha Road near Angkor Market and a few others opposite the

Red Piano.

*** On June 19, 2002, Halo Trust celebrated clearing one million landmines and other

unexploded ordinance (UXO) from many countries around the world. They have been working

in Cambodia since 1991 and now have over 1,000 deminers working in Banteay Meanchey,

Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Siem Reap and Battambang provinces. Cambodia has the

highest ratio per capita of landmine amputees of any country. The Halo Trust Siem

Reap office is located 25 minutes east on National Road 6, near the West Baray. To

donate to this worthy cause, go to www.halotrust.org and donate online.

Slices of Siem Reap is a regular column that aims to provide information on happenings

and what to do in the Siem Reap area. If you have something to add, e-mail Michael

Hayes at: [email protected]