Happy New Year.....again!

YES....I did say Happy New Year!!

Here in Cambodia we celebrate the new year, three times!  

There is International New Year.  People celebrate...kind-of, but honestly it just doesn't seem to be that big of a deal.

Then comes Chinese New Year (or the Lunar New Year).  This is the one we are celebrating right now!  There are quite of few Chinese Khmer here so you actually notice more of the festivities for this one.  Many people purchase kumquat trees or other small trees for their homes and I think traditionally you are supposed to hand out little red envelopes with money in them...though I don't really understand this part! ;o)  The malls are decorated with traditional chinese lanterns, posters and many of the shops are giving out chinese candies.  If you are of Chinese decent you should return home to your family for the festivities, which I think are technically supposed to last for 15 days.

Finally, in April will come Khmer New Year.  This is the biggest one of all.  Shops will close down and Phnom Penh and other cities will be emptied as everyone travels back to their family's provincial home.  People like to throw water on one another and here in Phnom Penh  if you are in the "right" place a the right time you face will be smeared with powder.  It gets a little messy!!

So...that is what's going on here....

and again I say 

May you be happy and blessed in the NEW YEAR!