Monday, July 4th, 2011
RACHA Child Health and Nutrition Unit, Phnom Penh
9:44 AM
Yesterday I woke up feeling like a new person. The queasiness was gone and I was so excited to be able to attend church.
At 3 PM, Lauren, Tuni, and I met up with Jeni at the US Embassy to volunteer for their annual Independence Day celebration. The front of the embassy made me feel like I was about to get on a plane; body scanners and guards with detection wands stood around, checking everyone that was coming in.
We passed through security and made our way through the steel doors into the complex. I immediately felt like I was back in the States. The ground was free of debris, all of the signs were in English, and old school American rock was playing . My assignment was to take tickets at the front gate, but my shift didn't start until 5:15, so Tuni and I wandered aimlessly for a few hours. We weaved in and out of the booths, stopping to take pictures by the first drinking fountain we'd seen in months. I might have mildly freaked out when I found a booth that was giving out free Tootsie Rolls.
It was almost reverse culture shock for me. Mixed in with the professionals were hippies and hipsters. Hippies and hipsters! I never thought I'd be so excited to see them. Guys dressed in popped collars, khaki shorts, black Ray Bans and boat shoes paraded around, making me feel like I was in a movie. What is happening to me? These people actually exist?!
It was time for the color guard to present the colors, so the four of us made our way over to the designated area to get a good spot. Craig, our boss-man for the day, asked us if we'd help clear the area. "You're volunteers, they'll listen to you."
We followed through with orders, herding people about like cattle. At one point I stood in front of a line, making sure that nobody got any funny ideas to break the rank. A short, grey-haired woman in a floral dress stood nearby, separated from the rest of the people. At one point she turned to me and asked, "Could you step back a few feet?"
Listen, woman. Can you read the back of my shirt? It says "VOLUNTEER". You know what that means? It means I have power, and as any respectable Spiderman fan knows, with great power comes great responsibility. YOU, my friend, are the one who needs to step back a few feet.
"Yeah, sure."
I watched as the color guards appeared and stood right in front of the woman. I was so confused as to who she was. Maybe she's the choral conductor of the people on the stage? No, her arms aren't flailing around …
Once the ceremony was over, I made my way over to the first aid table to retrieve my bag. The woman proceeded to the stage to give a speech. Turns out she's the ambassador.
Her words were a little awkward, absent of the confidence that typically comes with someone whose career is based in diplomacy. I stood by the table, wondering if anyone else was thinking the same thing as me. She said her peace, stepped off the stage and began walking straight toward us. I saved her the need to tell me to move again and stepped to the side.
"Nobody touch my beer," she grumbled as she leaned over the table, grabbing a half-empty bottle of ale. She turned around and leaned against the table between Lauren and I, nursing her bottle. One of the hosts of the event announced that cake was going to be handed out within the hour.
"Free cake and beer! Woo hoo!" the ambassador yelled, throwing her drink in the air like a rowdy college student. I reeled on the spot. Did that really just happen?
Thankfully it was time for Tuni and I to take our shift at the front. I moved away from the woman, trying to not make any sudden movements that might trigger a social catastrophe. We made our way to the front, got trained for about two minutes on our job, and then set to work.
It's amazing how much my mind is configured to Cambodian culture now. I kept saying "ahkun" to people instead of "thank you", even though it was obvious that they came straight from America. I'd offer and receive tickets and ID with two hands. Man, if I’m this heavily influenced now, I can't imagine what it's going to be like when I go home.
Just a note to anyone who is reading this: if I see you in the future and greet you by sompeahing and saying "sok sabaay", just slap me.
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