Happy BD America

So what happens in other countries on the 4th of July? There are no flag lines streets, parades, or cook outs. No one dressing in Red, White, or Blue, at least not to celebrate the 4th. But there is a little piece of America in most countries...the US Embassy. Technically when you walk through the gates you are on American soil. So for the 4th this year I bought a ticket to attend the party in "America". One of my Khmer friends drove a few of us there as anyone can buy tickets. They had the building decorated with flags and red, white, and blue lights around all the palm trees and other vegetation.

They had a stage set up with a band from the Philippines who did American songs such as the video I have added...which is a shout out to my roommate "Flea", she knows why ;)

They had food booths set up with American cuisine and a Chocolate fountain. I dined on a Philly Cheese Steak and real Ice Cream. But they had corn on the cob, brats,and ribs at the food place called "American BBQ". They had an acrobat type crew there doing different human pyramids and stacking people on each other's shoulders 3 high. I snapped a picture of a girl balancing Hula Hoops. It is too bad there isn't a Nintendo Wii here or I could totally do what she is doing in no time flat!

They also had a pie eating contest (shown below), a John Deer tractor you could sit on, and gave out door prizes...nice prizes. They had free return tickets to Phnom Penh from Bangkok (I had my fingers crossed for this one), a weekend stay at one of the really nice hotels in the city, free gym subscriptions, I did not win any.

A couple of the friends I went with are below...My friend Lisa who is quite the Nert's Player!

Me and Mary who will soon be moving into my house.

No fireworks in the evening but as things came to a close Mary and I went out with a couple of the guys she works with because one of them was celebrating his Birthday. And yes you may harass me about not wearing patriotic colors, but I just wasn't feeling the American vibe when I got dressed that morning. Besides if I was in America it is what I would have worn. It was interesting because most of the Khmer who can were all dressed up in party dresses and then us Americans wandering around in our typical 4th of July clothes :) One highlight was getting to sit on grass to eat my meal. If you come visit you will understand why this was a highlight!!