Wow, what an experience! A two-hour drive from Siem Reap to
Teacher Hunleys home town for her wedding reception. I left in a minibus with the other 5 teachers and 2 other volunteers, Alyssa and Vanessa. When we arrived I could hear the music from down the road followed by the florescent and bright pinks, yellows, blues, greens and reds. That's when i knew we were there. I had gone past many weddings in town (mostly by the roadside) but this was the first time actually going inside one. We were greeted by Hunley and her husband and taken to our seats. On the round tables of about 10 (400 guests in total, which is small for a wedding here) were cans of drink, beer and juice. They brought us out snacks; funny enough we were the only ones eating at that point (i think they thought we were hungry) - but as other guests arrived they received the same. Teacher Phearin, who was sat next to me, was well into the beer - slowely getting more and more drunk as the day went on, as did teacher Chansip and most other males at the wedding. The food was brought out in stages. The first was raw meat, beef, and vegetables which we had to cook ourselves on a little stove/heater. Then we had a fish course which was a seasoned whole fish placed in the middle. Next we had a rice dish - fried and steamed rice. And if that wasn't enough we then got given a little apple pastry. So full up to the top, bear and fizz inside me, what better to do than to dance hey! Yep we did just that! I must say I'm learning the traditional dancing quite fast here to the point that a man asked me who had taught me ( mmm do local khmer clubs count?). It is traditional to give the couple money as a present which they give you an envelope to put it in and then you go and post it in a heart-shaped box. The one strange thing about the wedding was that they give out chewing gum - a good idea after you have eaten I guess. After a few hours dancing and the thought of a long ride back home we took off, not forgetting the teacher's stop on the way for fried crickets!

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