Happy New Year
on Vicky Dyer (Cambodia), 22/Jan/2012 09:11, 34 days ago
I've just spent an amazing couple ofhours celebrating Chinese New Year with a family I had never metbefore!I was feeling a bit low when I went outas electricity had been off all morning and that means no runningwater too. My spirits were soon lifted.Here in Cambodia most things happenoutdoors and everyone can see what's going on. As I was passing ahouse I stopped to watch the children drumming and dancing in a dragon costume.Their grandfather was burning brightly coloured and shiny paper as anoffering to the ancestors. Once the offering was complete I wasinvited to step inside the house as they lit the firecrackers–lots of crackling followed by a loud explosion. A lovely young manthen demonstrated that he speaks English by asking me to eat withthem.I felt very comfortable joining them.The lady of the house told me she had 9 children, of whom 5 werepresent. I think she'd prepared enough food for all of them, it was areal feast. Chicken, duck, pork, black mushrooms and a huge varietyof vegetables with noodles and, of course, rice.As I was leaving, Madai begged me to wait while she prepared me a bag of fruit - as if she hadn't given me enough. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of this family. My fridge is already well stocked with fruit so on my way home I passed by the college where I knew I would find grateful recipients.To finish things off perfectly, the electricity was back when I returned.This was my second welcoming of the New Year. I spent our New Year at a party in Siem Reap - a more riotous affair than today. So whether International or Chinese, I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year