Happy New Year - the office party

Started soon after 7am as I want to leave early to meet Frank at the airport at 5.15..  Spent the morning working on the strategy and had lunch at café next door.  Talked with the friendly waiter – he likes to practise his English.  He desperately wants to come to Australia – but with no family there, and no skills other than restaurant service, its going to be hard. 

At 2pm 2 Buddhist monls arrive at the office to deliver a traditional new years blessing.  The boardroom ahas been cleared out and mats placed on the floor.  Many of the women are adored in traditional Khmer costume – silk sarong skirt, and a fitted white lace blouse.  You cannot imagine the wardrobe dilemma I faced when the email came around yesterday encouraging traditional dress!  Much as I hate not being appropriately clothed I make do with my normal work clothes..  Here is  a picture of my colleagues Seyda and Soklay

We all discard shoes and sit cross legged n the mats for the ceremony.  It’s serene and beautiful.  Holy water is sprinkled over us all, followed by fragrant tuberose buds.  Instant peace.  At the ceremony I scoop up a handful to bestow on Frank at the airport later.

After the blessing its downstairs to the garage area for traditional games.  Much frivolity ensues.  The games are childlike ball and chasing games – but they are absolutely delighting my Khmer colleagues.  Their squeals and laughter makes you smile.  This evening there will be a meal on the rooftop.  This is the Khmer version for the office Christmas party – a chance to relax and be silly with your colleges.  I slip away from all eth festivities and head off to the airport to greet Frank.

Happy  reunion.  I induct him to Phnom Penh with a tuk tuk ride, and drink on the roof at the Foreign Correspondents Club, and dinner at my local next door  restaurant.  Tomorrow we are off to Siem Reap.  Very excited to be doing some touristy things for the next week