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| We are led to our table |
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| Why Not smiles across the table. |
On my last day in Siem Reap the owner of Angkor Wonder Hostel, where I was staying, invited me to come to a wedding party which would be on later that night. That evening I came down to the lobby to find nine other travelers that he had asked to come as well. He (his name is pronounced and self-spelled "Why Not"--also his favorite English catch phrase) already had
tuk-tuk drivers waiting and they sped us off into the night for a fifteen or twenty minute ride to a tented area on the outskirts of the city.
We didn't know at the time who was getting married exactly, nor do I think the other guests expected to see us show up. However, when we did, we were immediately welcomed warmly and ushered to a table. Why Not and a server brought us bottles of Angkor beer, and before we could even begin to say thank you, told us to drink lots and whenever we wanted more, just to ask. "Please enjoy yourselves," he said. "I want you to feel this is your home." The first round of food soon came out, an assorted meat platter, salad, fish. The bride and groom came over to meet us, looking lovely and flush. I looked around at the people--men in their suits, women with their hair done up, make up and their best dresses, and it occurred to me how special it must be for them to have an opportunity to do themselves up like that. Most people are just doing what they can to get by each day and don't have the time or necessarily a reason to do anything beyond the necessities.
