Halloween in Cambodia

I always thought that Halloween was a uniquely American holiday for gluttonous kids (as if they need any more sugar).

Welcome to the Twenty First Century.

It was shocking enough that kids in suburban Tokyo now have trick-or-treat events in their local neighborhoods. But even more surprising are how much the adult expats celebrate it; and most expats were anything but American! Supposedly the holiday is evolving as a "dress-up-in-kinky-clothes-and-drink-and-get-away-with" day aka it's (yet) another excuse to party hard in Tokyo.

Cambodia is no exception, albeit I am pretty sure it's only celebrated in expat-rich cities such as Siem Reap. Pub Street (as usual) was infested with inebriated Western tourists, but more surprisingly local teenagers and college kids were out dressed up in costumes and dancing away to the music which was nice to see.

While I am not a fan of dressing up in costumes, it was certainly fun to overlook the street party with a great company of co-workers over a few beers!



And I must note that if ramen is the Japanese way to finish off a fun night of drinking, then it's definitely pan-fried rice noodles (kuy teuv cha) in Cambodia! Nothing beats eating hot chewy noodles out by the riverside, far away from the mayhem of Pub Street. $1 well spent :)