So Monday happened to be my birthday and I assumed it would be like any other day (which would have been fine with me!) as I know birthdays are not typically celebrated in Cambodia – but the staff at my office thought otherwise and threw me a little surprise party. I wanted to be sure to write about this before I headed off to Thailand as I was extremely touched.
On the way to the field site in the morning San informed me we would have to go back to the office early, around 3:30, to attend the blessing ceremony for the new office (I’ll save the explanation of this ceremony for another entry!). Needless to say I was annoyed – why had no one informed me of this before? After the ceremony I was entering data when my co-worker, Meta, told me to come outside. I was confused, but did as I was told and found the entire office staff and my group of expat friends all gathered in the front yard singing happy birthday. They had bought a cake for me which actually tasted quite a bit better than the last Cambodian cake I tried! Also, two of the French expats, Julie and Marion, made a wonderful REAL chocolate cake (chocolate is hard to come by in Kratie) and yummy crepes. The staff also bought me gifts – a beautiful silk scarf and a necklace which I’m sporting in the pictures (excuse the nasty field work clothes – evidence this was truly a surprise party!).
Over the last three months adjusting to the lifestyle in Cambodia and attempting to get the research project off the ground has been challenging. This party helped me understand, however, that I have made friends who care about me. Each day I’m trying my best to fit in and be a member of this WWF organization and the community in Kratie and felt this party was a small indication I’m on the right track.
I’m waiting on some more pictures, but will post the few that I took (many of me with expats and staff!)
