Still in Cambodia Land

OK, I know, I know I haven't written in a while. I've got some catching up to do. I still haven't written about our trip to Bangkok; AND Will's parents just left last week after an eventful visit to this country - and that too needs to be written about. Hopefully I'll put up a few updates within the next week or so.

Something worthy taking note of and sharing is about our experience this morning at the school.

So, our high school was given money by a foundation in Switzerland to build a new school building for classrooms. Prior to any new building being put into use, there is usually a huge party to dedicate it.

Well, today was the dedication for the new class-room building. We were told to be at the school at 7am, and wearing traditional Cambodian clothes. The guests of honor would be arriving at 7:30am - and the presentation would last until 11am or so and afterwards there would be a catered lunch & party for all of the guests.

SO..... we get there at 7am all dolled up and ready to go. The school is decorated with a wide assortment of banners and flags. There are two huge tents for all the guests to be seated under with a stage for the guests of honor, covered and adorned with decorations, Cambodian flags, streamers and the like. The sound system is all in check; 8 large speakers all stacked on top of each other, blasting their music as per usual. And there are traditional Apsara dancers and live musicians in from Siem Reap town ready to perform. Oh - and don't forget the scouts to bring the flags up; several thousand students, all 140 teachers (all dolled up) and hundreds of community members there to join the dedication. OH - and also, the foreign representative from the Swiss Foundation that donated the money was there too.

Well - time went on, it was 7:30. Then 7:45. 8:00 rolled around,... 8:15, then finally at 8:36 the District Governor goes up to the microphone in front of all the people to announce that his –Excellency (some Siem Reap Politician) is not able to make it this morning as he is busy in Battambang, therefore we must postpone this dedication and meeting until tomorrow.

Will and I were like, “WHAT!?, are you kidding me!?” …. ya think to yourself, couldn’t the guy have called yesterday and told someone that he wasn’t going to be able to make it? Or even called this morning??? Seriously, couldn’t they have informed someone about this prior to setting up the tents, ordering in the dancers, musicians, scouts, setting up the tables and bringing in the guy from Switzerland?

Oh, No….. NO….. we must wait for his Excellency and cannot proceed with the dedication.

Anyway, so they made the announcement, and all of the teachers went back home. The meeting/dedication will resume tomorrow afternoon at 2pm.

I just mentioned the other day that things never seem to cease surprising me here.