Small Farewells

What a day we had today! Marcus will be quite some time at his diary this evening. We agree that this morning seems to have started two weeks ago. We rushed around arranging last minute details; had a meeting with Ratna to hand over some projects; moved some files from one computer to another. 

At noon we left to come home for lunch. hoping we might eat with Maly, but of course she’d have none of that. She made the most wonderful chicken curry soup with Khmer rice noodles and lots of fresh vegetables: chopped cucumber, sliced green onion, bean sprouts, and the usual mix of green leaves (basil, mint, and others unknown) to be piled on top. Dragonfruit for dessert. We gave instructions for Monday, indicating that we’d be packing some things to ship home on Saturday, and packing the rest into boxes on Sunday for LWF and her to pick up on Monday. She’ll come in on Monday to do one last laundry and then pack the sheets and towels into a box for Rachel’s arrival in September. We then presented our token of appreciation–which left her (and me) speechless for awhile.

To back up for a moment, Maly had stayed late on Tuesday so that she’d be here when we got home from work. Her gift to us was some clothing in traditional Khmer cloth that she’d had tailored for us–a shirt for Marcus and a pantsuit for me. That’s the first time we were speechless!

After heartfelt goodbyes today, we left Maly to make one last trip to our salon. Manicures and pedicures all around, but I decided to get a “shampoo and blowesdry” as the sign says–to dress up for the occasion of our farewell. Somehow she managed to make me look ten years older–I think she had one of the Queen’s hairdos in mind. 

Boran picked us up and tuktuked us back to the apartment to change into party dress and then back to the office for a few hours of clearing up files and — d r u m   r o l l   p l e a s e — the arrival of the first 500 copies of Angkar L: A short history of LWF Cambodia 1979-2007 by Marcus Busch. Ratna was even more excited than Marcus to have this arrive within two hours of our departure! Ratna and I both rushed down with our cameras to see Marcus take the last packages out of the delivery tuktuk. The remaining 1500 on order will arrive next week, but at least we have a dozen to bring home with us. 

And finally the “small farewells” party. Some of you may not be surprised that technology failed us for some time–the projector not cooperating with a planned showing of our photos taken on assignment to the projects. But the rest of the presentations were low-tech, each of us with notes in hand. Sam Inn, the Deputy Representative made a speech that began, “In 1979…” and went on to describe the great strides the Communications Office had made in the past year in getting the story of LWF Cambodia told. Inn presented a certificate of appreciation and a gift from the agency. Before Ratna had a chance, other people interrupted to add what Inn had forgotten. Ruth told everyone about our article in Canada Lutheran. Project Manager Sarun added that he’d had his picture published in LWI, Geneva’s communication tool, because of our very early interview with him. Pauline started to add about the publication of the history and Ratna managed to wave her off. So finally Ratna did get his opportunity, with very kind and encouraging words, about our helpfulness over the year. 

In response, we both made it through our farewell speeches with only short pauses to compose ourselves. Our audience stayed attentive to the end and seemed truly surprised at our emotion. Surprised … and pleased. 

Sadly, Project Managers Bunnath and Sintha, friend Ankara, unendingly helfpul Someth, and most notably our dear friend Vannary were absent. (More about Vannary’s absence later.)

Finally, the group was released from speeches to eat and fell on the eight pizzas, mounds of barbecued meat sticks, and snack foods, in typical LWF Cambodia staff style. 

Earlier, before the party, Phallay had presented us with a hand crocheted doily–one remaining souvenir of a project she had undertaken as a university student in Phnom Penh, to earn her tuition. It will take pride of place at home in Edmonton.

Later at the party, Ratna gave us a small package and when asked, assured us it would NOT be polite to open it. (He did however want to clarify that it was from ALL of his family–all four of them.) Well, I’d already opened the agency gift and admired the woven silk pastoral scene (a large hanging, perhaps 4 feet square) and Pauline had rushed up to explain the scene to me, so she wasn’t insulted that I’d looked!). But, we’ve always depended on Ratna to educate us in Khmer culture.

We stayed out this party, saying goodbye one at a time to staff –some well known, some barely. Departure from Phallay was particularly difficult. 

We said goodbye to the office, already occupied by one new staff person, with another on her way in six weeks.

At home, we opened Ratna’s little box to discover a small Angkor Wat medallion, but more importantly, more friendly sentiments written on the back with the names of each of his family. 

And then we went to bed for a fitful sleep.
M&M still in Phnom Penh