A very different St. Patrick's Day

So Phnom Penh on St. Patrick's Day was never going to be the hot bed of Irish cultural activity - we had managed to find the only Irish bar in town the previous day so we scheduled that for the evening's drinking. To take up the day though we decided in the morning to visit one of the many orphanages in town after being stricken by guilt the night before by the amount of street kids around.

We arranged a tuk-tuk to take us to a rice shop where we picked up a 25 kilo bag of rice for $20 (no Uncle Ben's but it would do!) and was then brought to a small orphanage in a run down part of town. The welcome we got was warmer than the 36 degree heat outside - the kids running up to us with excited smiles, books and games in hand. The people who run the place were just as happy to see us and happily accepted our rice donation. The children pulled up chairs for us and we helped them match up shapes, join the dots and colour in clowns.

The children ranged from about 1 year old to 14, about 15-20 children in total - all living in this small orphanage on large stacked bunk beds. And while this kids, many orphaned by the Khymer Rouge regime genocide, shouldn't have alot to smile about - I honestly don't think I've ever seen a more excited bunch of children in my life. After awhile it was time for their midday nap so we said our goodbyes to huge hugs from the children.

We tuk-tukked back to the guesthouse when I realised I had left my bag in the orphanage (idiot!) - so our driver borrowed a scooter and took me with him back there...I honestly don't think I've ever been as scared in my life...driving 80 miles an hour down the wrong side of the road, nipping in and out of on-coming traffic, beeping incessantly at other drivers - and all of this is normal driving behaviour! Traffic lights are few and far between, which makes crossroads an interesting junction! We got their in one piece and arrived back at the guesthouse a shaken man!

Next on the itinerary for our alternative Paddy's day was a trip to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda - a stunningly built palace for the King. Every building is ornately decorated, inside and out - however alot of the statues of Buddha were decapitated by the Khymer Rouge as a two fingers up to religion (they REALLY weren't nice people!). We enjoyed the walk around the grounds, alot it was very hot. The palace is still used by the King, the royal blue flag flying when he is in residence, but we were informed he is in China on a trip at the moment - gutted, would have been nice to say hi! Eventually the heat got too much for us, with the only solution being some nicely chilled Beer Lao!


So after a few beers we made a quick pitstop back to the guesthouse to clean up and head back out to Rory's to join in the patriotic festivities. To our surprise the bar was actually were busy, full of people claiming various percentages of Irish heritage. A good lively place with the pints flowing so we were only too happy to indulge. Meet some pretty interesting people - a group of 5 American guys who are on a year long worldwide missionary trip, and some pretty dull people - two Irish and a Kiwi, didn't stay chatting too long with them! We eventually ending up playing cards with an international bunch comprising of Irish, Welsh, English, Dutch, American and Canadian. After eventually being kicked out of the closing bar we hit the warangs (street meat vendors) for late night snacking. Back to the guesthouse Gareth and I scheduled the next day as an official DHD (designated hangover day - where we are under no obligation to do anything except be hungover!)



A diiferent St. Patrick's Day but memorable in its own right - while we missed the inevitable banter back home we had a really interesting day here - who knows where we'll be for next Paddy's Day!