The Women's Development Association in Hope was getting ready to surprise us...

DATELINE: August 30, 2013
Patricia E Lyon

...when we were trying to surprise them!

They were sweeping off the tiles in front of Mr. Sok’s house. Where were the moto bikes and the old bed frame? Tables were being set up. Red plastic chairs were tucked under the table. A lace tablecloth fluttered down. We unloaded soft drinks, cookies and fresh fruit.

It didn’t take us long to see that there was a plan. Other guests were introduced: in-laws, cute babies and a hungry passer-by. Mr. Sok had printed a program which included the prayer. Bowls of rice, chicken, morning glory and a mango condiment for fish floated onto the table. We brought small containers of strawberry jam and rice cakes because of strawberry purses. A large fish on a platter was set down in front of me. He looked at me with his round eye, but I ate a piece of him anyway. Mony put the wing of a small fowl on my plate but I tried to cover it up with the fish skin. A certain friend caught me at it and suggested I put it back on the platter.

Just as the fruit, tea and cookies arrived, heads turned to see a Land Cruiser coming up the cow path. (Quite a cruise.) The guests told us it was an official of the commune. An official in charge of nine villages-Cambodian Peoples Party. I assumed he had been invited, but evidently, he just showed up and happened to find a party. I offered theh official the strawberry and peace purses and he examined them thoroughly (as though Deanna, Mony and I had not already done so.)

Mr. Sok shared his cream that there would be a two room building next to the cashew nut tree where women could sew and have a small shop. One of his sons is a tour guide and explained that tourists are asking for time in the countryside. They could be served a light repast, enjoy the bird in a cage in the tree, the dogs, chickens, cows and lush rice fields. Then they could see what the Women’s Development Association in Hope were making in their workshop.

The Women's Development Association in Hope began its formal time of presentations. There was a very fancy letter, which we need to get translated, then presents! Mony, Deanna and I opened pretty boxes and found kramos. Deanna’s scarf and my scarf were bright pink/coral. Mony bragged that he got two colors: orange and green. Deanna and I opened our second packages. Teal nail poish and royal blue nail polish. Pictures, pictures, pictures.

Then I brought out the cellophane bags tied up in a ribbon. Two labeled for men and the rest for women. The men got cloth-covered notebooks and deodorant instead of make-up and jewelry. The women received rummage-esque jewelry, sewing notions, toiletries, more strawberry jam markers, face masks and make-up.

Soon the babies and women were all wearing jewelry. Mrs. Sok graciously allowed herself to be plopped into a chair and have a makeover. She also received some wild sun glasses with white leopard print on the bows. More pictures, hugs and tears.

And I could feel the pull, time to go back but wanting to stay.

It was a lot like the Rankin lawn picnics.