Goan-Ngaa (Babies)

I went to see Kim and Sey-Hak, who she sometimes calls Daniel (after a Phillipino actor).  It's fun to play mom...for about an hour.  Then, I am ready to relinquish the child to someone much more responsible than me. 

The picture is a little blurry because Kim's mother took it.  It was the first time she had ever used a camera.  I turned it on and showed her how to push the button.  At first, she tried to take the picture backwards.  On her second attempt, she got about half of us in the frame.  The third time was the charm.  It was really cute to watch this toothless, old woman get the hang of it.

I noticed a green string tied loosely around his waist and asked Kim what it was for.  She said, "To make him equal."  As you would expect, this only led to more questions.  "What do you mean equal?"  She showed me how he had a big belly and torso and a small butt.  I asked if Cambodian women like men with big butts.  She said no; she wanted his whole body to be the same size.  I began to explain that there was nothing wrong with him and this is how all babies look, but I stopped myself.  There was no way that I was going to dispel a Cambodian myth that has likely been going on for centuries, in a matter of a few minutes.  Plus, it wasn't like the string was doing any harm.  Just when I think I've heard it all in regards to superstitions, magic, and ghosts, I learn of something else that again reminds me that I'm am not living in the Information Age.

Kim offered to apply my make-up for Mea-Lea's wedding this weekend.  I told her that I bought some make-up and was getting really good at doing it myself.  She looked skeptical. 

*I noticed Kim wasn't wearing her wedding ring, and asked her about her husband.  She still hasn't told anyone outside of her family and me that he left her.  He is living in Battambang with a friend and will return to Thailand at some point to continue working.  She said they talk on the phone sometimes.  I wondered if he ever asked about his son.  She said no.

Sokhom and his wife stopped by while I was there.  They brought their son, Mannkhan, who is 5 months old.  He is a happy chubby baby who likes to stick his tongue out and make bubbles.