When my workmate Cheryl and her family were invited to the wedding of her budhist god-daughter Hoy, we both knew we HAD to go, so we quickly convinced our families that we would be fine, on our own, with no adult supervision and we booked non refundable flights.
Cheryl met Hoy on a previous trip to Cambodia when Hoy was her tour guide on a farmstay. (The highlight of which was when the yak got stuck in the mud and Cheryl's diva daughter shouted 'Miss Hoy, when we get out of this I am going to fucken kill you!') A short time later Cheryl organised for Hoy to come to Australia for three months - this trip changed Hoy's life. On her return to Cambodia, Hoy sent a letter to one of the major banks telling them all about credit cards, debit cards, ATMs and paying for groceries by EFTPOS, this technology wasn't available in Cambodia at the time and the bank employed her and her career has rapidly progressed.
Hoy's new husband is in the military and when we asked what he did, she said 'his job is da secret'. We love secrets.
Before the wedding, all the 'official' photographs are taken. When Cheryl received this photo, she didn't recognise Hoy a first, she had blossomed from a girl to a woman!
After the blessing, both families and close friends pack gifts to be presented to the bride's family at the house the next morning by the groom's party followed by a procession of guests, while the street caterers set up for dinner
The next day at 6 am, uniformed guards direct traffic in the street as the procession assembles. During the wedding celebrations, life continues for the neighbours - petrol tanks are filled from soft drink bottles, ice cream is sold to a girl wearing 'da house pyjama' in a motor bike and buildings are renovated.
MORE TO COME....
