Travelogue: Experiencing Cambodia - Part 3

Part 3: When Our Palate was Satisfied by Plate-full

“I, trembling, drew the table near,
And touched the curious wine.”
--- LXXVI Emily Dickinson

From the Sandbars, we all reached home just in time for dinner and it was quite a treat to experience, for the first time for me, a traditional Khmer dinner. A plastic table-cover was laid on the floor and around it we sat in a traditional Khmer sitting position – cross-legged for the men, and sideways for the women. By this I meant that our legs were both positioned (tucked-in) on one side, while our toes must not be pointing at anyone as this may cause offense to the one being pointed at. It was most uncomfortable sitting as I did since I am not used to it for long periods, but what made it bearable was that D.’s mother is an amazing cook!

Sumptuous Dinner without Tables and Chairs

In a large round tray, placed in the middle of the table cover and surrounded by a plates full of rice, there was a bowl of Beef Amok which is cooked with an assortment of spices and with stringed beans, and there was also a bowl of cooked scallops (which slightly scared me because I had never eaten those in my life). My friend and I truly enjoyed the meal and found ourselves helping ourselves to more, delighting D.’s mother with our huge appetite. Yes, I tried the scallops too. It wasn’t all that bad. We complimented D.’s mother for her cooking and asked for the Amok’s recipe but were disappointed not to get it because there are no English words for the spices she used.

Stuffed, satisfied, and overwhelmed by the day’s experiences, we finally crashed in our mosquito-net-protected bed, and found sleep very wonderful.

Continue Reading Part 4