Holiday in Cambodia

Yes, I know the reference to the Dead Kennedys might be a bit dated, but we really had one. Actually, two!

This past weekend was the largest holiday in the country, centered in Phnom Penh and drawing around 2 million villagers from the countrysides in addition to lots of foreign travelers. The "Water Festival" consisted of 3 days of long-boat races with men from several Southeast Asian countries vying for top spot. It was an unexpectedly colorful spectacle by day with rowers in gem-colored jerseys. Foreigners were blessed with a cordoned-off area where we could get close to the action and cheer the winners as the rowed back upstream, full of playful bravado. By night, a parade of lighted floats moved up and down river with fireworks bursting overhead.

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On a totally DIFFERENT note, we've had some long-awaited friends, Eric + Maggie (who also quit their jobs and are on extended holiday), come visiting in Cambodia. We've spent several days together, mostly chatting and catching up as we strolled through the streets and markets of Phnom Penh. They brought with them lots of enthusiasm and news from home to our eager ears. We sent them off to Angkor during the week while we were busy at work, but they were back in time for the holiday weekend, which also happened to coincide with... Thanksgiving. Seems appropriate, huh?! Darin wrote a very nice blog about Eric + Maggie's visit and why they're in Asia - Check it out "here".

If you know us, you know we LOVE to entertain, and particularly to host dinner parties. Being that Thanksgiving is the mother of all dinner parties AND we had friends in town, there was no chance on us passing up the opportunity. We've also made a few local expat friends during our stay here and decided the more the merrier. Darin + I spent all day chopping and prepping and were ready to roll by 4 pm. The whole gang arrived soon after bearing gifts of wine, beer, orchids and a framed photo (from a photographer friend) - We were off to a good start! We spent the next couple hours swilling bevies, talking and enjoying the sunset before finally diving into dinner. What a FEAST - Veggie roast with rosemary + thyme (mailed from my mom), garlic mashed potatoes, shitake + oyster mushroom gravy, green beans with toasted cashews, candied yams with palm sugar + orange zest, green salad and a coconut-tapioca-pumpkin-jackfruit dessert. Mmmmm! We made a LOT and didn't even have leftovers :(

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