Happy Birthday America

Apologies for the lack of posting of late. I have been swamped at work and busy entertaining friends from the US. However, I should be able to make several posts over the next two weeks detailing some of my adventures.

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On America’s 232nd birthday, I didn’t do anything special. My friends from the US, Justin and Ashley arrived the night after and I decided to give them the best cultural introduction to Cambodia I could muster: a July 4th celebration (on July 6th no less) at the US Embassy.

As we drove around the back of the Embassy toward the entrance, it was clear that there was a party going on. Red, white, and blue streamers and balloons were everywhere and amenities such as a moon bounce, food stalls, a large tent, and a stage dotted the landscape of the Embassy lawn. After passing through a security check, we began spotting a number of friends among the few hundred people gathered.

Though we arrived a bit after the event started and missed the singing of the national anthem, the Seventh Navy Fleet Band (aka The Orient Express) was up and kicking and the highlights of the afternoon were yet to come. We chatted with friends until it was announced that the dunking booth was about to open. We all flocked to watch young kids try to dunk the Ambassador, who was on the chopping block first. Pat, who is not a young kid, but who is from the same town as the Ambassador, purchased a few balls and managed to sink him on his first toss, a beauty. It was quite satisfying for us, so I can’t imagine Pat’s pleasure.

With Pat’s triumph behind us, we wandered around the booths of food and drinks, picking up a beer and, in my case, a donut courtesy of USA Donuts. Next, we settled at a table with friends to listen to the rock stylings of The Orient Express, a mix of recent classic American rock and, rather oddly for a celebration of America’s Independence, some British and Australian songs. It was a surprisingly good time.

The oddest event of the afternoon, especially in the context of Cambodia, was a hot dog eating contest. Contestants – unfortunately Pat was not among them – had five minutes to scarf down as many hot dogs as they could. The display was not nearly as impressive as watching Kobayashi “compete,” but it certainly gave a distinctly American flavor to the atmosphere. After returning to watch The Orient Express rock out a bit more, we departed, with a clear pride for our home nation’s ability to throw a great party.