Another Barang?

When I met Radek in Bangkok and told him about my school and the village, he wanted to visit for the weekend.  Since his travel schedule was flexible, and it's only a 5-6 hour drive to Mongkol Borei, it was possible.  I warned him that I live in the middle of a bunch of rice paddies, with three cows, and it's pitch dark at night.  This would likely scare off the average tourist, but he was brave.  He thought it would be interesting to experience rural Cambodia with me because I am familiar with the surroundings, culture, and local people. 

I introduced Radek to all my classes.  At first they stared, dumbfounded, at this tall giant German.  However, during recess when he pulled out his camera and began taking photos of the children, he was suddenly very popular.  Whenever I couldn't find him, I would just look for the clump of 100 children mobbing their new hero. 

 

I had prepared my 7th graders for his arrival and told them to write down some questions to ask him.  They asked many including, "Are you married?  How old are you?  What s your job?  Do you like Cambodia?"  He was surprised by their candid questions, and I later had to explain that this is normal for this culture.  No question is off limits.  The students also wanted to sing one of their pop songs in English.  I let them vote, and they chose a romantic one entitled, "Pretty Boy."  When I told Radek, he laughed and said, "What have you done?"

 

Laum and all the teachers thought it was hilarious that I had a visitor, particularly a male visitor.  There were lots of giggles and teasing.  Although I introduced Radek as my buak-mak (friend), all the students thought he was either my boyfriend or a new volunteer teacher.