King’s Birthday

One of the pluses of being in a small island nation is that you get to do things you would never dream of having access elsewhere. It was the King's Birthday last week and through Anny’s position at the Ministry of Transport we were invited to the celebrations. We joined the Friday night welcome cocktails and the Military parade and King‘s lunch on Monday. The photos here are from the parade and lunch. The King’s coronation was 2 years ago and there are lots of coronation memorabilia around town still for sale e.g. coffee cups, plates. There is something for everyone and I think we have our Christmas gifts covered (Lucky family).

Phnom Penh Amusement

There is a little amusement park along the river front that would not pass a single safety inspection back home. Side show alley was great with 12 dart throwing stalls where if you pop the balloons you get plastic kitchen ware. We need this at the Royal Adelaide Show, who needs soft fluffy toys.

ISPP Fun Rally

Clancy’s School held a fund raiser rally where you had to drive around town and answer 47 questions. About 300 participated, with many, us included, taking Tuk Tuks. It was a lot of fun. A bought a couple of bags of balloons and was blowing them up along the way for the kids in the rally and the kids on the street. I gave out a lot to many of the kids begging around the streets and about a dozen to some of the kids begging at the National Museum. In a classic Cambodia story, I found out later they then tried to sell them to other participants of the fun rally who were coming up behind us. Never miss an opportunity. Sophie who also goes to Clancy's school joined us for the day. We lived next to her family at Colonial Mansion when we first arrived and remain friends.

Pchum Ben Festival

Prachum Benda, more commonly known as Pchum Ben, is a Cambodian religious festival, culminating in celebrations on the 15th day of the tenth month in the Khmer Calendar. The day is a time when many Cambodians pay their respects to deceased relatives. People cook meals for monks, bring offerings to the temple and throw rice near the temple early in the morning, believing that the ghosts of their ancestors will receive it. Today Clancy’s class went to Wat Langka near the Independence monument on Sihanouk to give offerings to the monks. This Friday to Sunday is the holiday and most Cambodians will return to their villages to pay respects.

Clancy and Nam Fa gave offerings of Banana, Logan, Rambutan and Sugar to the seven monks. The head monk answered the class’s questions and I fielded a few more and some on the way home. Here’s a sample.

Clancy referring to the Statue he saw in the temple and the subsequent conversation:

Who is she? She is a he. He is Buddha. Is he dead? No, he achieved enlightenment and is everywhere in the space around us. What is enlightnenmennenem? He became a god. Do the Astronauts see him? No, but they feel his presence in all the good things. Does he cover around the Earth a little bit? OH look Clancy, there’s some more monks walking down the street!

(Ed. Note: Do not trust the factual quality of any responses to questions)

Video: Monks Blessing