The Canada Day weekend did not pass unnoticed in this tropical corner of the world - the Canadian Embassy hosted a posh reception for all the Canadian expats in Cambodia. For some reason, this country is crawling with Canadian NGO workers, and we all came crawling out of the woodwork to partake in the free flowing booze and hor d'oeurves at one of the city's fanciest hotels. And don't worry, the event was sponsored by several Cambodian businesses, so you taxpayers are not picking up the bill!
My friend Zach and I scored our invites so it was time to get dolled up. For someone who's been living out of a backpack for six months, it was a tall order, but luckily, a girl at my guesthouse lent me a beautiful white dress for the 'do. We rushed to the market to scour the stalls for a purse ($2), heels ($4) and a dinner jacket for Zach. When I got back to the guesthouse, I felt like I was going to the prom. The women buzzed around me, helping me with my make up and jewellery, numerous photos were taken of me and Zach and then we were sent on our way with the odd stumble from me as I got used to wearing heels again after six months of flip-flops.
We were greeted at the door of the hotel by our honourable ambassador, and yes, a Mountie who was flown in from Bangkok for the occasion. Several Cambodian dignataries and businessmen were on hand so it was obviously an event to showcase Canada as well. A nine piece orchestrata playing the anthem, ice sculptures of totem poles, geese and fish, and images of the Canadian landscape on an overhead projector provided the guests with a taste of Canada. Ice wine poured freely and plates of smoked salmon were passed around all night, so needless to say, we had a most excellent time as we hobnobbed with other Canadians and reminisced about home.
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1 comment:
Where are the pics of your fancy dress??
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