Culture – Welcome to Cambodia, and…..

Lunar New Year #3

A really essential part of the lunar new year is the chrysanthemums. Here a neighborhood group of ladies went together to buys some flowers and set up shop in an empty lot near the deaf office.

The Lunar New Year is January 29th, still a week and half away, but the preparations are in full swing even though it is not a holiday here. Many, many Cambodians claim some bit of Chinese ancestry, deservedly or not, and the Year of the Rat will be widely celebrated here.

Opening of Jubilee Year

Involving the church youth

After the prayerful opening of the Jubilee Year, Bishop Olivier turned his attention to performances by youth of all ages.

First the older girls presented a classic Khmer dance.

Then younger girls performed another traditional dance with a simpler choreography.

Then about 25 boys, in two groups, presented a classical Khmer myth. All the dancers had really professional dance outfits and costumes.

Lastly, the really young children, some just toddlers, performed more contemporary Christmas music with simple dancing and gestures, and then each received a stuffed animal Christmas gift. Bishop Olivier always insures that cakes are a major part of the celebrations.

Following all the performances, all the representatives from all the parishes enjoyed a catered Chinese dinner in the outside dining area.

Business as usual….

Cambodia is 94% Buddhist and Christmas Day is a regular work day, not a holiday. Here are some images from Phnom Penh streets today.

These three elderly ladies were waiting for customers at their “convenience stores” just like they do every day.

These university students head to their Wednesday classes like they do every week.

This woman was selling bread and other snacks from her moto.

This motorcycle delivery man was bringing food to his customers.

Merry Christmas!

OSHA would not approve….

Can you imagine a greater encouragement and opportunity for tripping and falling on stairs than these shoes on the church steps at the Carmelite Monastery in Phnom Penh? And this is after half the people have left the church and removed their shoes from the steps! This scenario is repeated a million times a day as people slip off their shoes and sandals when they go into a building.

Heavy and Solid

Today I had to go back to the doctor to change the bandage on my arm surgery. I was only in the waiting room five or ten minutes but that gave me a chance to take some other photos of the obsession with heavy wooden furniture and “objects” like the tall wooden cylinders for which a tree was cut down.