Cambodia week 3: Beach time and wedding bells

This was really a very nice looong weekend. Starting on Saint Patrick's day (March 17th) with a few drinks and then with a 4 hour bus ride to the beach early the next day! Weeehee! Corinne, Katherine, Jasper, Shannon and I took the bus to Sihanoukville after a rushed "breakfeast" at Happy Guest House. Shannon and I beofre we fell asleep

The bus ride was long and the honking was incessant because of the crazy drivers on the roads (yes, driving here is chaotic and people drive in all directions making the roads looks like an ant farm). We arrived at the bus station in Sihanoukville and were immediately harassed by dozens of tuktuk and moto drivers who were all desperately looking for customers.
We settled at Otras Beach, a nice beach but quite far away from the city center (you go there, you stay there). After sitting down for about 3 seconds, we had 10 people around us trying to sell some bracelets, massages, pedicures, manicures, deep fried lobsters (which were NOT good) and whatever else they had to offer. Of course we bought some things...but once you buy from one, you never get peace (they were on our sunbeds with us all weekend), furthermore, they all are extremely jealous and think that it is unfair if you buy from one and not from them as well, they say "You come Cambodia, you rich, you must help Cambodia. You buy from me? But you no fair, buy from her and not from meeee. I have no moneeey, buy something now. I must go to school and I have no moneeeey..." (but they all sell the same stuff, what are you supposed to do??)

Otras beach

"I don't know" our hang out place during 3 days!

Beautiful sunsets

Our wondeful shower

The room...vodka Shannon?

So after a lot of beaching and lazying in the sun I decided to find a place for my last night as I was leaving on sunday early to go back to Phnom Penh for my boss's wedding. The others stayed at the beach another day, so I took a bus back to the city alone and sat next to a teacher from Tahiti who was explaining to me all the problems Tahiti was facing. It was interesting and I got to know more about a place I had no idea was in such bad shape and so artificial (as he put it).

Getting off the bus was liberating and I grabbed a moto home where I left my stuff and headed over to Central Market in search of a dress to wear at the wedding. By the time I was done shopping my stomach was eating itself, as I hadn't had breakfeast or lunch, so I went over to Happy guest house for some food and then I headed home to rest and get ready. I did not really want to go to the wedding, I was feeling a bit under the weather from all the sun and not enough water. But I forced myself to go anyways and was not disappointed. I mean the place was beautiful, it was at Himawari Hotel, a very nice one and the reception was held in the garden over-looking the Mekong river. Wow, flowers everywhere, so many tables all draped in white, beautiful decorations, a stage, long catered tables, open bar, and surprise, Sambo the elephant was a guest for the evening as well!

Sambo, my new pet!

These were just some of the tables...

The stage and "red carpet"

The bride, Yimei, looked stunning in her dresses (she apparently changed 9 times, I saw 3) and had been up since the early hours (5 am). One thing that struck me is that they didn't show much emotion during the evening, but I think that is part of the culture.

The bride and groom

Yimei

During the dinner I sat next to the magazine's printers (not the machines, the guys who print our stuff haha) and next to a chinese guy who was into perfume marketing and with whom I had a great conversation about perfume...what else?
After the dinner was over and most people had left, we all (most of the colleagues) sat down at the table with the newlyweds while they were finally able to eat something. Some of us decided to go out to a few bars and we had a really fun time and also it was nice to be able to bond more with people I work with.

The Cambodia Globe staff

The next day we all had off and it was probably a great thing because I think most of us were quite tired, if not reduced after such a grand party. Right now I am sitting at work again, but it will be a short week, already tuesday!

I have been here for 3 weeks now and it seems that it wasn't too long ago that I was wondering why on earth I came here, but now I feel good with my surroundings. I find it great to feel the change from unfamiliar to familiar. When whatever you become aquainted with is new and the places you go to and the people you meet are new, you feel like an outsider. But suddenly there is a point where you realize the change has occured and you find yourself included and in trust the environment around you. That makes it 6 more weeks to go and plenty more to experience!