Accidental gatecrashers

[Note: This is about a month-old write-up but I failed to post earlier as I got so busy with a lot of things. But the thoughts remain.]

Karen, who’s now back from her family’s vacation, invited me for a Friday night out and I immediately responded with an excited “YES!”. I came up with a list of places where we can go and first on the list was Martini. The Guidebook says it is a pub, restaurant, and disco rolled into one so that was where we went first last night. I memorized the directions how to get there by studying the map seriously (Karen emphasized that I need to tell her how to get there) and thanked the heavens above that city maps actually work.

However, upon reaching the place, we were so amused to realize that the place also employs girls as ‘entertainment staff’ so barely 2 minutes in the establishment, we headed for the exit. We then decided to have dinner first at Setsara, a Thai restaurant in Street 278, one of the places here in Phnom Penh that host several hotels, cafes and restaurants. When we reached Setsara, we realized that all tables are already full. The owner, a French guy approached us and spoke to Karen in French (times like these, I always hoped that I had continued my French language lessons). Karen then translated saying he invited us to just join their table because they’re celebrating the birthday of his Thai girlfriend, his partner in running the restaurant.

We were then seated at one end of the tables joined together for the sumptuous feast. At first it was really awkward because we didn’t know anyone in the table. But the couple on my left, Ryan and Laura (who are from Ireland and Scotland respectively) immediately made us feel at home and it helped in breaking the ice that Karen and I admitted to them that we’re “accidental gatecrashers” to that dinner party. It was a fantastic evening full of funny and interesting stories swapped amongst our small group in that end of the table. Ryan regaled us with the stories of his travels and how spending 15 years in UK gave him that distinct British accent (that makes people in Ireland think he’s actually British). Then Laura added more stories of her own, equally funny and interesting, and gave me bits of pointers on how to survive Phnom Penh.

Later, Jup (I hope I am spelling this out correctly), the birthday girl, sat with us and shared bits of herself. Before we realized it, it was already almost 2 a.m. The good part was that everybody still seemed in high spirits and we all decided to go to Elsewhere, the unofficial party place in Phnom Penh especially every first Friday of the month.

I liked Elsewhere from the very first time I’ve seen it (I was also with Karen that time) because they have tables out there in the garden with a swimming pool where anyone can take a dip. I have been there before but it wasn’t on a first Friday so this time, it seemed like a different place because it was jampacked! I even joked with Karen that all of Phnom Penh’s expats are probably all here drinking, dancing and partying. So we joined the crowd on the dance area (under the trees and the stars) but I didn’t like the music so much so I just decided to talk with Jup, who seemed also wanting for some conversation. And so we talked the night away, and once in awhile, Ryan and Laura joined us.

It was about 4 a.m. when we left the place and it’s only because the owner was already trying to tell everyone to leave (haha!). I asked Karen to allow me to sleep at their place (in “my” former room in their house…hehe) since I still didn’t have a key to the gate of the flat and although the family of the owner assured me that I can just call them so they can open the gate, I didn’t think it was proper to wake anyone up at past 4:00 a.m.! Upon reaching Karen’s place, we were excitedly greeted by Luna and Sabbay, who must have been waiting for Karen to go home. I realized that I really missed these dogs, my former wards. One thing really nice with dogs is they really make you feel that they need and miss you! Such innocent love and affections! Karen and I decided we were both hungry after all that partying so we ended up eating and talking in the kitchen…when I was already in bed, I realized that it was already past 6:00 a.m…I smiled and thanked the heavens for another day of gifts, friendships, and smiles at a time that I have so many struggles.

Life is still good.