a cup of coffee

A couple of weeks ago I took Sim out for a coffee at Palais. It's the Poipet place for expats to go get a latte. The coffee always smells great and tastes ok. The interior is clean, even though the couches are a bit shabby. (B2 commented on the chairs the other day, saying, "Man- they wouldn't put up with these in a Canadian crack house!" Perhaps he exaggerates a little... I just choose not to think of the thousands of bodies that have left their sweat-stains...layering deep and thick into the upholstery...)

So I was saying... Sim and I went out for coffee. Sim has been working with us since November. She goes to the market, cooks lunch and cleans the public areas of the house. We often have coffee together at home, comparing the Angkor Wat brew with Lao, Lavazza, Stumptown or whatever else we have. It was about time that I took Sim out for a drink.

We wandered around the casino for a few minutes, looking in shop windows and adjusting to the air-con. We ordered drinks, sat down and chatted about work, family and future plans. Sim has three boys so much of the conversation revolved around them. She spoke with a mixture of awe and authority that it is possible to have three sons with completely different personalities. Sim had countless examples to back this up and I loved learning more about her little guys. After an hour or so, we left Palais and went home.

But before I got back to the computer, Sim said, "Thank you for showing me honour by taking me out to have coffee today." Seriously?! It was such a small thing. Yet Sim felt valued....even honoured. Amazing!