The Staying Together Part
We Singaporeans can be quite a inconsiderate lot, some of us can be considered culturally blind. I am particularly unhappy with the way we tormented the villagers when we talk and laugh loudly through the night. I wondered how the village chief who sleeps below us managed to sleep, coz even myself couldn't sleep due to their incessant laughters. Well I think he had his revenge when he left his radio on throughout the night, haha. Cambodian opera I suppose; half song half talk. What a tormenting night that was.
The village chief and me, and little 'Pierre' beside. 'Pierre' is what we can make out of his name. He is one of the many grandchildren the village chief has. Quite a handsome young lad, got the cute guy look. One of his sisters (the one in green sleeved shirt) is a chiobu in making. 
I forgot her name liaoz. She is always taking care of little 'Ni', one of her brothers I suppose. 'Ni' is the amazing little brat with guts of steel. I think somehow he knew we were leaving that day .. he was pretty temperamental when we wanted to take this picture. He would not even listen to his sister. Below is the picture of him sitting on my shoulders outside the school compound. 
'Ni' would always arrive in his village chief granpa's green scooter, standing on the little triangle of seat cushion between the chief's crouch area, and his hands on the handle bar. Not to mention he once peed on the legs of the chair that we were sitting on. I think we made him pick 4 numbers as well ... wonder if anyone really bought the numbers.
We also spent time teaching other members of the first family some sort of English. In fact we even delibrated about leaving our English-Cambodian translation book with them ... but we decided that since they can't read so we didn't leave the book with them. Looking back, I think I was sort of selfish to keep the book. I could always buy it again in Phomn Penh. But books like these would be hard to come by in the village and would prove useful someday. Who knows, it might help someone to learn Anglais (pronounced as 'onglay', it means English in French, as frequently used by locals in reference to English langauge).
Other villagers we've came to know are the household which sold provisions like instant noodles and nata de coco, right outside our place. As well as the boy who hawkered sweet dumplings balanced on a bamboo tray on top of his head, the household who had pool table and styrofoam boxes, the auntie who went marketing with us everyday ... etc. We were also treated to gigantic bazhang which can be substituted for a whole day's meal.
The village chief and me, and little 'Pierre' beside. 'Pierre' is what we can make out of his name. He is one of the many grandchildren the village chief has. Quite a handsome young lad, got the cute guy look. One of his sisters (the one in green sleeved shirt) is a chiobu in making. 
I forgot her name liaoz. She is always taking care of little 'Ni', one of her brothers I suppose. 'Ni' is the amazing little brat with guts of steel. I think somehow he knew we were leaving that day .. he was pretty temperamental when we wanted to take this picture. He would not even listen to his sister. Below is the picture of him sitting on my shoulders outside the school compound. 
'Ni' would always arrive in his village chief granpa's green scooter, standing on the little triangle of seat cushion between the chief's crouch area, and his hands on the handle bar. Not to mention he once peed on the legs of the chair that we were sitting on. I think we made him pick 4 numbers as well ... wonder if anyone really bought the numbers. We also spent time teaching other members of the first family some sort of English. In fact we even delibrated about leaving our English-Cambodian translation book with them ... but we decided that since they can't read so we didn't leave the book with them. Looking back, I think I was sort of selfish to keep the book. I could always buy it again in Phomn Penh. But books like these would be hard to come by in the village and would prove useful someday. Who knows, it might help someone to learn Anglais (pronounced as 'onglay', it means English in French, as frequently used by locals in reference to English langauge).
Other villagers we've came to know are the household which sold provisions like instant noodles and nata de coco, right outside our place. As well as the boy who hawkered sweet dumplings balanced on a bamboo tray on top of his head, the household who had pool table and styrofoam boxes, the auntie who went marketing with us everyday ... etc. We were also treated to gigantic bazhang which can be substituted for a whole day's meal.
posted by taxi taker at 9:37 PM
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