Monday night Ruth and Charles planned a birthday celebration in Prey Veng inviting all of the MCCers, Barb and her family, and two new Swedish friends, Julia and Evelina. Scott was leaving early the next morning for work meetings in Kep so Monday was chosen. Since my mom’s visit last year, Charles has befriended her and sporadically talks with her on gchat. As a surprise, Charles chatted with my mom about some of my favorite foods that are available in Cambodia. Although I have never been much of a meat eater, I love chicken; however, all of the chicken here is, as Ruth rightly described, athletic...aka dry, chewy tendons. But Ruth did make some of the best chicken I have had here as it was moist and easily chewable. We also had baked potatoes, fried apples, organic red leaf lettuce salad, and steamed carrots. For dessert we had carrot cake with CREAM CHEESE icing. I was shocked! First, I try to avoid foods containing dairy with Charles around due to his allergy. Second, cream cheese is not available in Prey Veng; it must be purchased in Phnom Penh and carried back. Third, cream cheese is freakin’ expensive here. I was delighted they had planned such a wonderful treat.
Tuesday has nothing to do with my birthday, though it’s worth mentioning. Charles and I went out to the Angkeardei Primary School to orient Julia and Evelina to some of the work MCC does. It’s the middle of the dry season so we went by motos, Charles and Evelina on one and Julia and myself on the other. However, the last 9 km of road isn’t a road; it’s a foot of dust. Literally. Pictures don't do it justice. Once I’d almost tipped the moto over, and a few times I had to stop and ask Julia to get off so I could navigate through the mountains of dirt. On the way back one of the teachers offered to dup Julia to the next town. I was extremely thankful for both the offer and Julia’s nonchalant manner about getting on and off. Julia and Evelina will return to Sweden in about a week; I wish they could stay longer.
Wednesday didn’t start out too well. I talked with my mom on gchat for a while, but I was in a quiet office where not much dialogue happens. It didn’t help there were men hired to repaint the gate who looked creepy and kept staring at me. Julia came over after lunch to make Swedish pancakes for her going away party that evening with her host family. On whim (and for my sanity) I had decided to go into Phnom Penh that afternoon. After Julia finished with the pancakes the taxi driver was waiting outside my house. A quick trip in and I was in the PP office which had the AC running. Ahhh. That was another delightful surprise. Along with the 10 cards I received from various family members, and people who attend my parent’s new church.
That evening Amy, Charles, Seiha and I went out for dinner at Cafe Yejj and ice cream at Swensen’s. Since Seiha’s husband, Pisit, was away, we had a girls’ sleepover at her house. Sometimes I wish I was in PP more often to be with friends. And basically that’s why I went into PP. I hate living alone; I think I would have gone insane if I had stayed in Prey Veng for the latter part of last week. I need to be around people who I can connect with and care about me.
Thursday night Daniel, Amanda and I ordered pizza and watched LOST. Yeah, we’re kinda addicted. Charles and Miles came later and were lost, literally, when they were watching.
It’s not every birthday I get to celebrate three times. And, honestly, I got what I really wanted-to spend time with people, people who have greatly impacted me the past few years of my life, unlikely friends who have become closer than some family members. People who will be hard to say goodbye to in July.
