On July 13, 2008 I was both happy and saddened to see Srey Leah get married.   Since California 2 closed, this was another chapter that was coming to an end. It was a changing of the guards of sorts.  I had first met Srey Leah back in 2000. I had taken a day trip out of Phnom Penh 30 kilometers south to the Ta Phrom Temple at Tonle Bati.  On the return trip Samlien, my motodop had complained he was thirsty. I told him to keep driving and I would tell him when to stop. Just about 12K from the California 2 I saw a cute country girl with a sugarcane machine at the side of the road and told Samlien this is where we would stop.

This became a regular stop over the next couple of years. I began riding motorcycles again and at first I rented, then purchased  my own bike. Each trip to Tonle Bati I would stop halfway and have a sugarcane drink or red bull. Even on a few group outings I would make the stop with my friends to introduce Leah and her family to them. It was nice to know there was a place to go in the event of a motorcycle breakdown or even a bathroom stop.

One trip she wasn't there, as she was at her job in a garment factory,   but her sister was and had just given birth to her baby. You can see that on the people page. Once I took over California 2 in Sept. 2001 I had made a stop and announced the news and said when I come back there could be a job for her in the works.  I gave her 5 dollars which for country side people was about a weeks wages. I told her to buy an English book and study.

Well the money never got spent on an English book, but she did accept my offer to come to work. Her English improved over the years and she was a great employee. We built a reputation for being a place for Expats, Part time Expats and Motorcycle riders to meet. As a result we attracted a lot of great people we now call friends.

Greg was one of those friends. Being a part time expat he had time to ride. He and I took a great trip around the lake in the rainy season to the Temples at Ko Ker in a down pour. Over time he and Leah became boyfriend and girlfriend and she continued to work while Greg would go back to the states and cash up.

On the 13th of July they tied the knot. California girls Meta, Sina, and Rota were in attendance as well as many of the people who came through our doors over the years. We all shared a common bond.  As I looked around at the space filled with colorful canopies, and tables I thought about the fate of that momentary stop some 8 years ago.

Gregs mom Joan must have been blown away as it was her first trip out of the states. All the girls were in gorgeous colorful outfits. The bride and groom changed outfits over 5 times during each stage of the event. She took it all in stride. Gregs best man Scott had given me his camera to take pictures since he was a little preoccupied with the wedding festivities. During the cake ceremony I was honored to stand in with Joan. Afterwards there was Khmer dancing and Leah stood in and sung a few songs for the crowd.   A good time was had by all.  I wish them good luck.

Changing of the Guard,   Greg and Leah just before another outfit change,    About to cut the cake,   Giving the crowd their moneys worth.

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