Male to male

'I like all of the homoeroticism here', said Megan as we caught up and strolled for a few hours around Phnom Penh, including past the iconic Independence Monument. We were on Koh Pich (Diamond Island), a soulless expanse of function rooms, venues for society weddings, and hotpot restaurants. Koh Pich feels like land gradually reclaimed from the Mekong and it was on one of the connecting bridges to this place in 2010 that a massive crush killed 350 people.

Megan's homoeroticism comment came as we were chatting about the tendency in many world cultures for men to exhibit much affection for each other; a friend draping an arm over a shoulder during a conversation or the platonic linking of hands as two men stroll down the street. In Swaziland years ago I remember making plans with an awesome Swazi dude called December (born Christmas Eve), from our partner organisation in the village. He kept hold of my hand as we finished talking, to which all the assembled British volunteers sniggered 'gay', in a staggering display of cultural ignorance. Most of the time these interactions are simply platonic, and there's something lovely about them, especially coming from a culture where an awkward slap on the back is about the extent of male to male affection. Globally, British men are certainly more likely than in most other places to face societal taboos when displaying affection to a male friend. It would be nice to see that ebb away a bit.

The evening was with old Phnom Penh pals Megan and Niki on Megan's sofa with pizza and riveting (/inane) chat. It was very much like enjoyable nights from a few years ago. It's been wonderful to have a holiday that's been so much like walking down memory lane. I thought I had become less sentimental with age, but that really doesn't seem to be the case at all.