Christmas on the 23rd

Most of Cambodia does not celebrate Christmas at all. Only Christians really. For most it is just another ordinary day - only those working for NGO's might get it off work even. So, the nearest Sunday becomes Christmas day for Christians! And it consists of a huge celebration service, usually with 300-400 extra people attending through invitations. Dances, dramas, a sermon, often a game of some sort, singing, extensive greetings, a sermon.... ours was 9-12, and then we ate a big festive meal together afterwards!

The coconut bowl dance

This is my favorite dance to watch as the music is less tuneless to Western ears and the intricate graceful dancing. The dancers dance in pairs, striking their bowls together in different rhythms while dancing in and out of different formations.

Sunday evening we went to Wat Phnom to see the monkeys. They are quite tame, and you can get quite close to them.

The first time we were there Grace was fascinated. This time she wasn't so sure as one of them bared its teeth at her!

Le Seoul

After visiting the monkeys we went for supper. At a nice Korean place. Jasmin was looked after by the staff, and Grace catered to in ways we have never seen here before: A plastic dish for her to eat from, a toy to keep her occupied while waiting, and watermelon! She really did eat all that watermelon herself!!

Lights!

And before going home, we walked by the US embassy and enjoyed the christmas lights and music show!

Memorable Moments

No they're not kissing!

Grace is fascinated with noses right now. All day long (and at night sometimes!) out of the blue she will sing/say "nose!" and bop whoever's nose is within reach. And not just once. Here's Daddy indulging her with a little nose to nose.

Tangerines

Jasmin is enjoying exploring new foods. She really likes tangerines - as long as they are not the semi-tart ones we can get here. The walker works great for feeding her, but we have to find a way to lock the wheels or something! here she is laughing hysterically at Grace who is laughing at her...

Feet

A surprise addition to our evening meal yesterday: fried chicken feet. Not much there to eat really. But Grace liked gnawing on it for the fried taste :o}

We have been waging war on mosquitoes this last little while. After suffering many itchy nights, fielding far too many warnings and comments about the oodles of bites on Jasmin and Grace, and trying out many different "weapons", we have finally won! All it took was a number of bug lamps, mosquito nets, sprays, raid, and coils... I'm sure the girls like the itch free nights too, but their interest shows more when the boxes are free for playing :o)

Daddy's girls...

Another victory! It has taken us over two months to get a good picture of this. On our way to church we often see this sight:

All the more fantastic when you realize that the tracks are still used by trains (as well as norries, motos, trucks, pedestrians...). Have to have pretty steady nerves to eat here!

Jasmin Expressions

Amid all the smiles is this classic look

Daddy can't resist feeding limes to his girls and capturing the responses. Crazy thing is they both will keep on eating the limes in their hands!

Rewarding response when Daddy comes home