Chittra

Chittra and I were colleagues when we worked together at the Voice of Democracy (VOD), an NGO media production house. VOD reaches nine million Cambodians through its multi media platforms - radio, online TV, print and even a mobile phone news dispatch service for people who are in remote communities and can 'dial in' for their newsfeed.

Chittra and I would often talk at the bottom of the stairs in our office building, travel as part of the team to deliver training but the most exploratory and revealing conversations we had were when just the two of us would go out for lunch, mostly dumplings, noodles and tea and once or twice for pizza and wine.

It seemed fitting for us to say farewell today with pizza and a whole bottle of wine, not just a glass. Middle of the day drinking goes to my head. I don't normally do it. Today I felt nostalgic and tossed aside caution.

Phnom Penh has afforded me the luxury of thriving in an international community of people who have consciously left the comfort and predictably of their home countries behind to come here and find ways of feeling more alive and being fulfilled on a day to day basis not just through career highs and five year plans. People are much more present, open and expressive with their ideas and generous with love and kindness. Nothing is too kooky to share. Everyone has passions they don't feel they have to hold back on or that they will be judged on.

But that said, having had the privilege of making close bonds with the real locals, my Cambodian friends has felt like a huge privilege and gift.

Chittra is one of those treasures and I will miss him.