Snoop at the Monastery

Today we went off in search of a monk who is very famous for his magical abilities. He is based in a monastery about 15 minutes outside of Phnom Penh. Unknown to me however, Sunday is the day when everyone goes to the wats (Khmer word for temples, the word pagoda is also used) so the place was packed! When we arrived everyone turned to gawk at me (probably wondering why on earth I was there!) - I have never had so many people staring at me before! We were quickly ushered into a large room with a whole crowd waiting for the "big monk" to arrive. Big Monk indeed! This monk looked exactly like Buddha! The crowd pushed me in front of the monk, where everyone started to bow and pray. I didn't know what else to do so I did the same. He started to say prayers over people's things, mainly cell phones, incense, money and water. It was this whole crazy ritual, with the big monk running around to everyone and everyone running to him. The final touch of the ritual is when the whole crowd gets doused with water by the big monk.

After the dousing we were able to ask him for an interview, which was thankfully granted for tomorrow morning.

When we left the big ritual room I heard the craziest music playing over the monastery loudspeakers - you all are going to love this - Snoop Dogg's Drop It Like Its Hot! I thought it was the funniest thing ever, but I don't think anyone else there got the joke.