Christmas in Cambodia

What is it like to celebrate Christmas in Cambodia?  Well, it is kind of like any other day in Cambodia, is the short answer. Because Cambodia is a Buddhist country, Christmas literally is just any other normal day, though Consumerism-Christmas is catching on very quickly.  Some of the Christian NGOs shut down, but for most of us a Maryknoll Lay Missioners, we worked just like any other day.  It was somewhere around 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside, definitely not a white Christmas.

A lot of this happened:

Skyping with the sisters (Courtesy of Sarah B.)

Opening presents with family, not actually on Christmas

It was really like having an out of body experience.  I was watching all the Christmas traditions, listening to the music, seeing the Christmas tree at home but since I wasn't there, it felt like I was peering into a world of which I was not a part.

Some Christmas traditions did carry through.  When I woke up, way too early, on Christmas morning, I watched White Christmas before work (love that movie).  I listened to all kinds of Christmas tunes. I even picked out a Christmas tree (this was for my roommate's Christmas present, she wanted a tree). Though, the tree came home on the back of a moto, sandwiched between me and my very enthusiastic co-worker - who had never before purchased a Christmas tree (sorry, you will have to imagine that sight).

My roommate's tree!

I also decked my own halls.  I decided maybe if I had some decorations, I would feel more festive.

This is my recycled Christmas tree and nativity.  The tree and nativity people are made from toilet paper tubes, Jesus is made from recycled paper, the sheep are from the cotton that comes at the top of vitamin bottles, and the star and crowns are from the wrapper my antibiotics came in....  

There were a couple of moments that actually felt like Christmas.  One was actually a week or so before.  My friend Erin hosted a holiday party at a local restaurant.  Friends from work all gathered and there were Christmas carols, and a holiday photo booth, and even cake with candy cane on top. Many of my Khmer friends in attendance had lots of questions about this tradition of Christmas and it was so much fun to explain and share my traditions.  Maybe if I am healthy next year, I will be able to host my own party and share more traditions.

One good lookin' group

Another moment, that really felt like Christmas, was at Christmas eve mass.  One good thing about being Catholic is that church is basically the same, EVERYWHERE :)  And, I even provided the sign language interpreting for the Christmas songs.  As those who went to St. Pius in OR know, every Christmas, for many years, I would sign the songs at Christmas Eve mass.  Though, in Oregon, I don't think anyone actually relied on my interpreting nor understood much of the sign, they just thought it was pretty.  I am not sure how this tradition started but signing on Christmas Eve this year felt like it really was Christmas (right down to quaking like a shepherd, my insides rolling like the little drummer boy's drum, my legs prancing and pawing, what felt like my heart thumping to an enthusiastic version of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, ;)  you get it, I hate being in front of people).

Interpreting the Psalm (this was the one song for which I had not seen lyrics before and thus had not prepared, I was doing Ok until she sang the word constancy, REALLY?  I couldn't even come up with that word in spoken English) (Courtesy of Miguel)

Father Charlie interpreting the gospel reading/nativity play.  He is awesome, he simultaneously interpreted and said the entire mass.  I cannot tell you how difficult that is to do.

On Christmas day, I worked, had lunch with a friend (nothing says holidays like a fresh mango smoothie), ate watermelon (never done that on Christmas before) and, Maryknoll hosted a Christmas dinner, with many, many guests.  Though, not the normal Christmas, it was a good meal and great conversation.

My one "Christmas picture" from the year with Erin and the Pope (Both looking far more classy than I) (Courtesy of Erin's FB)

More Christmas caroling.  And, the photo that inspired my New Year's resolution to look less pained and like the scream mask in photos (picture courtesy of Fr. Charlie)

The best looking table at dinner.  From left, me, Kila (demonstrating the sign for Facebook), Maria (MKLM), Hang (MKLM),  and Erin. (photo and empty plate courtesy of Fr. Charlie)