I always tend to end up at random events with my school director and co-teachers with roughly 20 minutes to an hour notice. I ended up at the equivalent to a house warming party earlier this month after having a meeting with my school director to discuss my ideas for the rest of the school year and summer. As this event was rather far away I was picked up by the vice director in his car. I did not know before-hand, but soon learned that riding in a car is an appropriate justification for getting drunk. If only I had known that during my college years… Anyway I got to the housewarming party and this time, for a nice change of pace, there was actually another woman at the table! After a short amount of time the cheers began and cans of beer kept appearing before me. When I began to indicate that I had no intention of drinking more I heard the new justification “DRINK!!!!! YOU ARE RIDING IN A CAR…FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP!” There are three factors thus far that have ensured my safety and sobriety in such instances 1) I can drink more than they expect without effect, 2) Khmer people think that getting red in the face is a sign of drunkenness and drunkness is an appropriate excuse to cease consumption. As an inevitable side effect of my white-ness I turn red when it is hot, and Cambodia is REALLY hot, so I pretty much look drunk anytime I am in a party tent crammed with people, and 3) I can always count on one of my co-teachers to tell everyone that I am plastered so they won’t try to make me drink more. These factors may not bode well for my reputation in the long run (depending on who you ask!) but alas, I will continue to be able to leave parties standing :)
Shortly after the housewarming party I went to a wedding with my host family. They graciously gave me plenty more than 20 minutes notice. As I do not yet have wedding clothes I had one of my host sisters help me select a suitable outfit. This however proved unnecessary. I got bedazzled. Literally, From the top of my head down to the ankles. When we arrived at the restaurant where the wedding was to be held I was quickly ushered into a hut where the women in my host family were gathered for hair and makeup. They thought it would be super fun to dress me up. I confess, it was super fun/hilarious. I had my makeup done more or less the same way my host sister (who was a bridesmaid) had hers done. I however am white, SO, dark purple, hot pink, and black eye-shadow, paired with heavily penciled eye brows, fake eyelashes, and hot pink blush, make me look… well… different. I was fully prepared to walk around with my facepaint whilst sporting my western attire but my family had other plans. First they changed out my normal jewelry for bling, including diamond rings, earrings, necklace, and a gold charm bracelet. Again I was content to sport my half-3/4 khmer-ness but the family would not have it. They brought extra wedding clothes for me to complete the look. Once I was fully bedazzled my yay promptly stationed me at the entrance with the wedding party to greet the guests. It was pretty amusing, made for some good photo ops, and a lot of double takes.
I have been particularly accident prone this month. My best move was perhaps when I was relocating with a sewing project and somehow managed to put a needle about a third of the way through my hand. I had fun explaining the bruise that filled most of my palm the following week or so. Shortly after that I gave myself some mild electrocution with my mosquito zapper. Ouch.
On quite a different note; the next time I update this I will be in America. Only for a couple of weeks, but still...weird.
