Orange Ghost Town

Phnom Penh is almost eerily quiet as the country celebrates P'chum Ben, one of its most important Buddhist festivities. Basically it's a 15 day period where families remember their loved ones who have passed away and pay their respects to ancestors. This coming Monday and Tuesday are public holidays so most people spend the long weekend out of town, in their native villages (locals) or at a holiday destination (foreigners). Throughout the two weeks, families visit wats, or Buddhist temples, and give offerings of food to the monks. On every street corner you can see ready-made offering hampers, filled with everything from soft drinks to cookies. It's easy enough buying one of those pastel-colored cellophane-wrapped baskets but many families also cook full meals to give to the monks. It's quite a sight at the wat to watch tens of monks in their orange robes sitting on the floor eating, while the women who have cooked sit against the walls watching. Most women dress in traditional silk skirts and lace shirts. It's a visually inspiring scene.

This year we're spending P'chum Ben very quietly ourselves. After all, the most relaxing break is the easiest break and staying at home can't be beat on that front! ;) So relaxing... making no plans whatsoever. This morning the boys, the dog, and I took a long walk in the quiet neighborhood, admiring butterflies. Brown, orange, and yellow butterflies, all over. Beautiful. As my older son says, "sun colored."

Orange. The sun. Appreciation. Family.