A bit of a christmas eve update. Tonight, as previously posted, we went out with Mr Phea to see the lights of PP. We found a fair ground and the kids had a bit of a play and then, to our astonishment, Mr Phea asked us to his home. I know most people reading this may no be aware, but this is a very rare occurrence. We are often told by people who have lived here for years that they have been out socially with their Khmer acquaintances but never been invited home. So with great pride we accepted the invitation. I will post some photos later as my battery is flat. He lead us up a very dark skinny alleyway that snaked into the depths of PP. We stumbled through, the kids loving the adventure. We came to a room, with a lino floor and corrugated iron roof. Mr Pheas home. He kept apologizing for the size of it and I was trying to assure him that the house we live in in Australia is no where near like the place we live here. Having said that, they live in a room about the size of our lounge. There is a double bed and a cloth "wardrobe". There is a small room off the back that was the "kitchen" that had the ubiquitous gas cooker and that was about it. Mrs Phea immediately bought out some water for us and the kids. Out also came the photo albums that they are immensely proud of. Then out came the cat that had just had kittens that Scarlett grabbed with glee. I could see the fleas on the kittens belly but you know what....all kittens have fleas! This was no representation of their home. They were just happy to see my kids, who Mr Phea adores, happy! Nick went next door which I assume was similar, to his brother in laws house. I then spent some time with Mrs Phea, not a word of English but a lovely exchange of emotion none the less! Time to go and as we left and the kids gave out their hugs, once again, perspective came to the fore. The lights of the US embassy did not shine as brightly as they might have done an hour earlier. As Mr Phea dropped us off at home I just wanted to tell you, we have not bought many Christmas presents this year as we are so far from home and did not get organised in time. If you are wondering where your present is, you have paid Mr Phea's rent for a month. You have also paid for something nice for Mrs Phea from her proud husband. The hug that Nick received from an overwhelmed Tuk Tuk driver should hold a place in all of your hearts. Rest assured, whether you realise it or not, you have just been a part of what I think is the real spirit of Christmas. It has certainly been a Christmas Eve that I will never forget and I hope that the children will not be too young to take it with them too. God bless the spirit of Christmas. X
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