Sok sabi Sisa buk
Utry said that if I say this, I'll sound cool because it's slang in Khmer. But what does it mean, Utry?
It basically means that I am saying how are you doing backwards which means that I am an animal with a big nest. I'm thinking I won't sound cool, just nuts. But I must say, it's a hit. Old and young alike love it when I say this to them. Way to go, Utry!
Here are some other interesting things about this amazing country that I'm in love with.
1. The sompei – just like Thailand's wai bow. Cambodians just use it less. Too bad. Can we do this in America, please? Think about it.
2. If you want to be real Khmer, learn to not make a peep when you are on a bumpy ride in a tuk tuk or moto. This takes much self-control if you are a loud American used to shocks.
3. If you wanted a girl but got a boy, just dress him up as a girl. Problem solved. I guess… We met a 3 year old girl who showed us she was a boy the other day. We were told later that the mother wanted a girl.
4. It's ok. It's what Khmer people always tell you even though they might not mean it. Be sensitive to the Khmer way of life.
5. Even though it is very Khmer to be quiet sorts of people, they sure do like really LOUD music. I've seen a few giant speakers roped onto motos a few times too. It's too bad that I'm not at all a fan of Khmer music. Imagine 10 carnivals playing their carousel music out of the same speaker on level 10. That's Khmer music. During wedding season (November) it's played for 3 days straight. I'm not at all sad we live in a sugar cane field.
6. You'll see many houses on stilts for the flooding. Many people were calling them tree houses. I don't know why since there is no trees holding it together. It's just a 2 story house minus the first story.
7. 80 percent of the population is under the age of 30, so I'm feeling very lucky to be me in this lovely place. And this is because of the Khmer Rouge that started just a couple weeks after I was born 35 years ago.
8. Do you want to ride the national animal? It's a water buffalo and a very rare animal in the world, just not here. In fact, stop a local on the street and offer to pay him a couple thousand reil and you can take a ride. (that's only 50 cents)
9. Kids and kites. China, you disappointed me with your lack of kites. But Cambodia, you pleasantly surprised me! I've seen more kites stuck on electrical wires than birds.
10. Don't freak out if you see babies riding motos. This is life here. No need to be alarmed if you see naked babies running around in the dirt. This does not mean they have a lower quality of life. It's just different than yours.
11. Don't feed the monkeys. In fact, don't feed yourself either if there are monkeys near. You just might find a monkey in your lap.
