Time to Break the A'tini!

After six and a half months in Cambodia, I feel like I've been here for two years. Not because I know the country like I know my way around Greenbelt 1-5. Well, make that Greenbelt 1-4. Never been around that much to discover Greenbelt 5. Is there really a Greenbelt 5, or was it Glorietta 5? Damn it. I don't even know my Makati malls anymore. Anyway, I don't even know my way around Tuol Tumpong (aka Russian Market). That's about to change soon...

So, a long weekend is coming up (6 days, man, woohoo!) and I plan to know my way around Phnom Phen. I've planned to go to either Bangkok, Pinas and Vietnam and I've decided (for now) to get to know Cambodia better and to catch up on my Damages and Heroes marathon.

Also, I'm planning to do an Asian cuisine marathon. I've tried Khmer food, Khmer-Thai food and their absolutely yummy. Of course I've done Pinoy food here (c/o Bistro Lorenzo) and the ever reliable mother Helen. Oh, I've tried Korean, Malaysian, Chinese and Burmese food too. Hey..parang madami na pala akong na try. I guess that leaves me with Japanese and Vietnamese food in Camby. Wala na bang iba? Singaporean.. I'm kinda iffy to try chili king crab. Oh, I have to try Laos, Indonesian, we'll see!

Off to ride my trusty bike, y'all!

Bring in the tinis!!

Ugliest Food I've Ever Seen

Warning: Ugly photo ahead. Not for the queasy.

Yucky Duck. Can I hear a kolehiyala eew? (Ew).



Damn right I didn't eat.

Colorful Cambodian Wedding (my first)

Such a wonderful occasion!

My first wedding experience didn't disappoint. One of my co-workers had her wedding last September 24 and it was a must attend (despite the hectic work load). I personally believe you never say no to a wedding invitation.

This is the bride, Polynn. She's one of the prettiest Khmer women I've seen (if not the prettiest). She's sweet, smart, funny and soft spoken..pretty much what a guy looks for in a woman. {It was no surprise that she's getting married. Any guy is lucky to have her as his wife}.

This is her.


Beautiful! {ok, in case you're wondering why I have a before and after..I had to fix our org chart at work. I have photos of everyone in my team.}

This is her again, by the entrance, welcoming her guests:


In brief: The Khmer wedding is a three day long event. If you want to find out more, check out (www.khmerwedding.com).

What really fascinates me as a woman (and a future bride), is that she gets to change her outfit 7 times!!! That's part of their tradition, ha! How fantastic is that?!! And quite expensive. Normally they say, they rent their wedding dresses instead of buying them or having them custom-made. I guess, that's the most practical way. Otherwise, you spend a lot. Get this: Rental for 7 dresses is at least $1,000 (still steep, huh?)

Where will you stash 7 dresses that you're never wearing again anyway?

This is her final wedding that she wears for the rest of the night (still rented). The traditional white wedding dress.


Hmm... wonder why the entourage is wearing white as well...but, hey, check out the bling!!

One of the must-haves whether you're the bride or in attendance, bring in the bling! Exquisite display of jewelry!

Colorful night of dresses, jewelry, dancing, alcohol and food!

Love the dresses:

It's like an 80's prom night.

Oh, and the hair (my favorite of the night):


She said it took 2 and half hours to do her hair, and she said for sure, she's going to have a headache the day after from all the the hair pulling and hair spray.

I also got to dance the traditional khmer dance around the cake. Uhm.. you would think it was easy, but really, you need grace and dexterity to do this the right way...

...needless to say I bombed. I think I did a rendition of a traditional Philippine igorot dance instead (Mamayug aken).

note: to my left is my mentor Socheath, he knows everything traditional and historical in Cambodia. You will learn a lot about the country with just 5 minutes of chatting with him. To my right is my ex-co-worker, David. He's the modern Khmer who's introduced me to the younger, hip side of Cambodia- Khmer style, not expat style.

Oh, and finally, the highlight of the night. The last food entry. The Duck. As in, what the duck?!!

They cooked and garnished donald.. (can you see his beak?)

They even stuffed donald..

Couldn't bear eat it, but I tried it of course!

It was a truly an interesting night in Cambodia. Oh, and, they finish early ah! Around 9pm, egress was in progress.

In some weddings, they invite a fortune teller or an elder and they advise the husband that he should "sanctify" the wedding bed before midnight to bring in good luck..hmmmm..