Society and Culture

A Visit to Wat Vihear Sour in Prey Veng

Posted by Lui on Jan 19, 2012 | 2 comments

Prey Veng is a Cambodian province not usually mentioned in tourist guides, and for some reason places like these appeal more to me. So when my sister-in-law suggested we go there, visit some family friends and also visit Wat Vihear Sour, a well known pagoda, I was all set to tag along. We also heard that in this pagoda, there is one temple that is home to a deity, said to be generous in granting wishes of good luck, wealth and specially fertility. I think this is one of the reasons why my in-laws wanted to make the trip. My younger brother-in-law and his wife have been trying for a baby for some years already and now they wanted to make an offering in that pagoda and ask for help to make their wish come true.

When I heard about this I was mighty curious. I’m not Buddhist but that doesn’t mean I don’t try to learn more or understand more of their beliefs. I always try to keep an open mind about these things and who knows if your wish can be granted. We’ve also been talking about having a second child, with the kiddo very eager to wear her little nurse uniform and be a ‘baby sitter’. Lol. So it wouldn’t hurt if we pray for one while we are there. And besides this reason, drives to Cambodian provinces is always delightful for me. You never know what you’ll see or encounter, aside from the lush, almost undisturbed countryside.

We left about 9 am and the drive was really pleasant. Just under 2 hrs with the roads all new and paved. To say that it was a picturesque drive would be an understatement. Most of  the places around Phnom Penh are vast and unpopulated. Most are farmlands. Which makes me realize that Cambodia really has a smaller population compared to other places or perhaps majority are just concentrated on urban areas.  Anyway, I’ll let the pics tell my story now…

Wat Vihear Sour has this huge ‘lake’..

This pagoda complex is huge and has several temples you can offer prayers and receive blessings. One can offer food, flowers, incense. In this pagoda you can also get some blessed water and wash your face with it for good luck.

Cambodia Snapshots: Nom Ban Chouk Vendor

Posted by Lui on Dec 3, 2011 | 0 comments

I gotta post this before I forget about entirely. Lol. I’m on the hunt for holiday gift ideas so I’ll be preoccupied throughout the weekend.

Love this shot of a lady Nom Ban Chouk vendor. It’s a kind of home made rice noodle dish, drizzled with flaked fish sauce cooked in creamy coconut milk and spices, garnished with mint, banana heart, cucumber, bean sprouts, lotus stem etc. It’s actually delicious and Khmers favor eating it for breakfast as well as afternoon snacks. Check out my previous entry to see how it looks like – Trey Nom Ban Chouk. And they usually buy it from the markets or from roving vendors like the lady in the photo.

Pretty amazing sight, right? And these ladies do have excellent balance. And to think that they walk about and carry even the bowls, noodles and all, See, she even has a small plastic stool to sit on every time she needs to prepare a bowl of noodles for a customer.

Cambodia Snapshots: Khmer Wedding Rites

Posted by Lui on May 14, 2011 | 0 comments

I’ve been meaning to post about Cambodian wedding rites, but I just keep putting it off. Mainly because the rites are quite lengthy, so its going to be a very looong post. I have photos of Khmer wedding in detail but procrastination really keeps me from completing the post. I think I’ll make that a must-do this month.

Here’s a sneak peek. Khmer weddings are elaborate and long-winded affairs. But its very colorful and interesting as well. This one on the photo is just one of the numerous rites during the wedding ceremony. I am totally in awe at the bold colors Khmers are so fond of mix and matching. They are not shy about using colors and I love the way they wear it.  Also the flowers, accessories are very interesting.

I have intentionally pixelated the photos. These were taken during my brother-in-law’s wedding, and I am mindful of preserving their privacy although they did consent to me taking photos and using it here.

Invites and More Invites…

Posted by Lui on May 5, 2011 | 4 comments

From the title, one would think I’m like some social butterfly. Hahahaha! My friends would be the first ones to laugh at that. I’m okay with socializing, I’m just not soo crazy or obsessed with it. Truth is, I’m a bit shy. {Really.} So a constant avalanche of party invitations was not what I expected when we moved here in Phnom Penh.

Khmers loves weddings and parties. And they would go out of their way to invite everyone they know, even if you’re not close. Even if you’re merely ‘nodding acquaintances’ don’t be surprised to get an invite to someone’s wedding, birthday or house opening etc. It’s nice, really. Sometimes. It took me awhile to get used to it since back home, when we have parties we invite people who really matter to us. Close relatives, family.. I think its a different case here. The more people you can bring to your party the better. It takes getting used to but after almost three years, I’m not surprised to get a lot of invitations every month. More so I guess because hubby is Khmer. But if you’re an expat here and have a few Khmer friends, you’re bound to get an invite sooner or later.

And when you’re invited, you have to show up dressed up. I always make an effort now to be dressed up when attending these parties otherwise you’d totally stand out if you’re so dressed down. Khmers love dressing up and when it comes to weddings they go all out. Formal attire, gowns and with matching bouffant hairdo’s and heavy makeup.

Also, these parties have registers. When you go in, you have to give your invitation and they’ll write down your name on the register. Gifts are in the form of cash. Yes, cash. Although its alright to give something wrapped for house opening parties or birthdays, the most acceptable gift is cash. You have to put it in the invitation envelope with your name and they will also write the amount you give in the register. I was at first shocked at this and badgered hubby why the need to write it down. It’s embarrassing you know. But that is the custom here so…one just adjusts.

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Happy Khmer New Year!

Posted by Lui on Apr 11, 2011 | 0 comments

Chol Chnam Thmey or Cambodian New Year is almost here. For Phnom Penhites like me, that means a week long quiet time, less traffic! Most Khmers hightail it to provinces to be with relatives and celebrate. For most who stay in the city, well its time to relax!!! No school, no traffic, I should say this week would be like my little nirvana in Phnom Penh. And oh, there are also a lot of SALE in a lot of stores. Lol! Trust me always to mention shopping, ok?

Of course, the Independence Monument and most stretch of Norodom Blvd. is bedecked with lights and last night I went there just to take a photo of the monument. Heh! And I picked this shot – a little blurry perhaps but this is simply how I think of Phnom Penh now. This city is on the fast track, like its hurtling towards development..

The Khmer New Year lasts for three days, this time from April 14th. This celebration marks the end of harvest season and its time for the farmers to be merry and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Happy Khmer New Year!

Excuse me, but I AM HERE!

Posted by Lui on Mar 31, 2011 | 4 comments

There are times I want to say this – “Excuse me, but I AM HERE!”

Why?

Here’s an observation of how some Khmers usually talk. Note that I am not generalizing all Khmers, but living in Phnom Penh for the past three years have made me acutely aware of how most Khmers converse. At first, I got offended. Who wouldn’t be? I mean I’m right there, I’m humongous, one’s eyesight cannot miss me!! but I still get ignored in conversations. Lol!

A lot of Khmers like talking in third person. For example, all my Khmer relatives know my name, but to date they still refer to me as ‘Chinkee Mama’. Lol! I know it sounds like a brand of noodles, but I’ve learned to live with it. Also, even when you are present and participating in the conversation, they would still refer to you as a third person.

I think they also consider this polite if you refer to yourself in third person. Perhaps this  is part of their language or culture. Another reason could be most of them are shy particularly around foreigners. A friend of mine who is also married to a Khmer told me she talks about herself in third person specially when speaking with elders. Example, when she’s about to leave for work, she tells her mother-in-law, ‘ Ma, your son’s wife or your daughter-in-law is now leaving for work.’

So, though at first it piqued me, coz it strikes me as impolite, but its not. So now, I find amusement whenever I’m referred to as a ‘third-person’ I think there are really things that one has to learn specially when dealing with another culture. And I always remind myself now not to be quick to judge.