A Khmer Wedding

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a Khmer wedding last night. One of the school secretaries was getting married and the whole staff was asked to come along and enjoy the celebration.

Things kicked off in the morning at 7am with a fruit carrying ceremony, where people bring the happy couple gifts of fruit (and because it's cambodia, this includes coke, biscuits, chocolate etc...!). The rule is that there are two line, and you must bring the same type of fruit as the person you're standing beside. I was still in my bed at this point, so I'm not exactly sure how it's all organised but it sounds bananas...

I rolled up about 9am just as the main ceremony was starting. We had traditional music, some singing from various groups of wonderfully dressed Khmer girls, a band from the school and a hymn or two sung in Khmer. While they weren't actually playing, the band sat at the side and footered away with their instruments, punctuating the speeches occasionally with a drum roll or some canned laughter.

Another oddity... Just off to the side of where I was sitting, a group of older men gathered round in a circle. They promptly all lit up their cigarettes, turned on a radio and started gambling away good style over some vigorous form of card game. Still... the vows were said, the rings exchanged, and a hesitant smooch on the cheek was offered by groom to bride. Hey presto, married!

The evening entertainment was great craic. All night karaoke supported by a live band, and a banquet of Khmer tastyness. The waiting staff only serve a table when it's full so it's a case of flagging people down and making them sit with you if you want to eat. I ended up having a yarn with a theology lecturer at the Phnom Penh bible school... the upshot being the confirmation in my head that hermeneutics really only equals common sense. (I'm sure you'll disagree, oh father mine...!)

There was lots of parading around by the B&G.... and more attempted kissing. Picture a loud excited guy on the stage with a microphone practically forcing the couple together "One, two, three...!" (Moi, bi, bie...!) only for the painfully embarrassed bride to actually run away. Hmmm, Cambodians really don't do public affection! Fair enough!

Anyhoo, it was a right old shindig and I'm glad to have been part of the experience.

Today was a brilliantly sunny day in Phnom Penh. Can't believe it's the 18th November. Things are really getting busy here in preparation for the Water Festival. Easily a few extra thousand people at the waterfront tonight. Allegedly, next weekend there will be between 1-2 million visitors in the capital. I'm wondering whether to stay and try to catch the spectacle or to escape to the coast. Hmmm, isn't life full of choices?!