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Cambodian New Year

Christina and I accompanied her mother this weekend to a Cambodian New Year's celebration at a Dallas-area Buddhist temple. We had actually been out to the temple the weekend before as well since her mom had gotten the date wrong.

It wasn't specifically a Buddhist celebration, so despite it being at a Buddhist temple I would guess the majority of the Cambodians in attendance weren't practicing Buddhist. Or maybe they were just lazy Buddhists and like most of us Americans would rather enjoy the secular portions of religous occasions. A lot of the women participated in bringing and offering food to the monks that stay there at the temple, they can't eat after noon so people bring food for them. The monks then bless them and chant something (I guess that is the blessing? I don't know, Christina could explain it better.)

Most people were just seeing old friends, eating beef on a stick, or gambling. Seemed pretty much like any other gathering that large I've ever been to, except that I was taller than pretty much everyone except the other white significant others in attendance. Speaking of us white people, it seemed thre were a lot more white males there than females. Probably 20 to 1. I knew that white girls don't often date Asian guys, but that's much worse than I would've thought.

All in all, it was pretty interesting but probably very Americanized. I certainly wouldn't mind tagging along with Christina to other stuff she has to go to so she doesn't have to go alone. I drag her to Longhorn sporting events all the time, it's the least I can do.

Check out the photoset or view the slideshow on flickr.

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