Let me start with a very important matter for our functioning in Cambodia:
We must get a business license, here called "business card".
Once again, we find out that our Lim is simply irreplaceable. Although, he’s helping in arranging such documents for the first time, he easily found a friend in the town hall, and things started immediately:
We had to make a few copies of my passport, the flat rental contract, and attach 6 photos.
The copying took a while, because there was a queue for such service.
At 10:30 we went to the office and we learned that 30 minutes before the lunch break they do not attend anybody ...
We were ordered to return at 3pm (the lunch break lasts until 2pm).
Just before 3:00 pm Lim was notified by telephone that some officials would appear in person at our home for a local inspection.
Two clerks appeared punctually and without much ado they took the copies, pictures of our logo and the name of the business, and, of course, they took the appropriate amount of money necessary to obtain permits in some five (!) departments of the town hall.
We were informed that the advertising banner must have Khmer text in the first line.
We were warned that from Monday to Friday the music mustn’t be loud after 21.30.
We will get this indispensable business card after 28 days, for 12 months.
No additional applications, questionnaires, paper, surveys, letters, stamps and other formalities will be needed. Unprecedented!
Imagine: it took place at our home within about 10 minutes!!
After another fifteen minutes, one of the clerks brought the invoice to us, home! Of course, he received a modest gratification which (according to Lin) was not necessary, but nice.
Another purchase today was a gas cylinder and a two-burner stove. Look at our very quick lunch on colourful Chinese plates. So what's that made of plastic?!
After lunch, a short visit at the cushion lady, and the decision about the material for cushions. Even colours have been out of the question due to the bar guests who inadvertently (?) stain seats.
At the end of the day, a visit in the carpentry shop, to accept the bed that will be installed in the bedroom tomorrow.
