A friend forwarded me this email announcement. I’m sure a lot of people would be happy to hear about this. There will be a career day at HRInc with hundreds of jobs available in the tourism sector. The job fair will be held on September 17-18 2011. HRInc office is located at St. 242 behind Singapore Embassy. There are positions open to both expats and locals. So do check out the job fair if you’re looking for employment here in Phnom Penh.

Anyway, I’m pretty pleased with this announcement. It just shows that the business climate here in Cambodia is improving, the tourism sector is on the upswing so there are more jobs available. I noticed the increasing surge of college graduates here who are unemployed so this is a welcome news. But one thing I admire also with a lot of Khmers, they are very enterprising. A lot of Khmers run small businesses, from  small salons, motor home repair, car wash to selling knicknacks and i noticed lots of baby shops opening..So at least even if they are not regularly employed they are creating means to earn and a way to employ others. A win win solution :O.

A lot of Khmers are health nuts. They love exercising and you can see that in almost every corner park there are aerobic dancing groups at dusk. Its free and fun to join. Here’s another addition to the riverside park, I’m sure those who likes getting fit would appreciate…

Something that never fails to interest me. Floating houses! Mostly occupied by Vietnamese-Khmers. There are some along the banks of Mekong River here in Phnom Penh. Take a river cruise and the boat passes a few of these houses. At first I thought, this might be uncomfortable for them, but then I realized this is a way of life for them. Hi-ace also talked to one Khmer living in one of these houses and he said, they do own a piece of land and have a house there but they prefer living above water.. Their livelihood is there and they are comfortable there. Makes sense to me.

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.

Khmers are never shy about using bold colors. Specially the ladies. Aside from the ubiquitous and colorful pajamas they like wearing in and out of the house, another favorite for the older ladies are comfy house dresses.  Here’s a snapshot of these colorful cotton house dresses being sold in the markets..

Another Cambodia snapshot tomorrow. So watch this space