This has been the best year yet for connection. There have been an abundance of simple celebrations, making new connections, reviving old ones and maintaining close ones.
For me finding not only that we love to host friends and family, but that we now enjoy being hosted too, has been a revelation.
We have always paid our own way and especially tried to avoid staying with even long term friends with only very few exceptions but in the past 12 month we have stayed with friends in both Australia and Cambodia and hosted more guests than ever before too. Feeling a sense of belonging in another household and contributing to it is special.
With friendships that have survived decades of us living abroad , seen career and relationship disasters, weddings and children and now grandchildren, there is a sense of belonging that cannot be replaced. A few weeks of reconnecting in Australia made us both feel incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful tribe of unique and eccentric friends: too many to include photographs of everyone but you know who you are and how well loved you are too. The time spent with family was also thoroughly enjoyable and well overdue.
For us the greatest blessing of the time we have spent in the Kingdom of Wonder will always be our continuing engagement with the little monks of Kep. Many of those original boys have now taken very divergent paths in life and are no longer little but several have gone on to become ordained monks. It was pure joy for us to see one of the older students from our original class now able to conduct formal ceremonies and manage the affairs of the monastery in the absence of the Abbot. He always showed such potential and purpose and to see him now flourishing is wonderful.
While it might seem there is a free flow of alcohol and cocktails from the images selected here, there have also been some alcohol free days and the mandatory month of abstinence.
The only positive that came from losing connection from Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp for over three weeks, was that I suddenly realized how overwhelmingly biased towards the metaverse all my communications were and started writing emails again. More blogs were also posted as well as choosing alternative apps. Long term friends across the globe responded quickly and that was heartwarming.
The Cambodian community in which we live continues to feel friendly, inclusive, welcoming and supportive. They also enjoy the frequent visits of guests and friends who they constantly see trouping through the communal zones and delight in now recognizing many of them .
The cultural backdrop of Cambodia has changed in recent months and there is an undeniable feeling of anger at the current escalation of ongoing conflict with Thailand. While that means there is an underlying sense of unease, the camaraderie of people and unwavering support and generosity they exhibit is delightful. They are more than happy to assist each other in any way possible. This bond is strengthening daily and is a joy to witness.
We remain very grateful to be able to contribute in a very small way by volunteering over the holiday period and are glad that this year’s efforts are directed towards both vulnerable children and families and the ever growing numbers of displaced people and refugees.
May peace return and sense prevail soon.
Wishing you all the very best of the holiday season and a safe, healthy and fun year ahead.
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