New Neighbors

They've been doing construction on a house, not directly next door, but one away, and I met our new neighbors one day after work.



This is how it happened:



I pulled up to our gate, and was in the process of unlocking, when a large fellow walked up to me.  As I took off my bike helmet, he asked if I spoke English, and when I said yes, he said, "Oh good, American."  He then explained that they were opening up a club next door.  I thought they meant the gym/club/mini mart at the end of the block.  I thought maybe we could get a deal on a gym membership and felt cheerful at the prospect. He was a big, beefy fellow, so this made sense to me.  

As it turned out the club is not the gym at the end of the block, but the above-mentioned house they've been working on.  And it's a club for their motorcycle gang, the Rebels.  Oh.

Yes well, I then proceeded to ask him if they were "big bad biker dudes" or if they were "nice guys." 


Yes, it came out exactly like that. 


He looked down and said they weren't all bad.  Then I explained that we are all teachers who live in this house and it's our job to train up children to be responsible members of society. 


Yes, I it came out exactly like that.


He explained that they all have day jobs here, and the Aussies keep a close watch over all their activities, so they have to behave whether they want to or not.  Their 'grand opening' party is going to be Saturday, Feb 8th, and our whole house is invited.  I thought, we are also having our school fair on Feb 8th, with hot dogs and a ping pong toss.  I guess it wasn't very neighborly to not invite him, but somehow I didn't think he'd be interested.  Anyway, here are two pictures of our neighbors' newly renovated house and signs. 

Not very hospitable if you ask me.

I went to their website, just to check it out.  I had to click on a firing machine gun to enter the site. I didn't spend much time there.  Meredith looked them up and read that the Cambodian chapter is applying for a casino license, which the Aussies think they will use to launder money and use as a venue for all sorts of other things.  Gracious me.

There are families who live around us; grandpas, children, an elderly grandma in a wheelchair, moms and dads.  The two scenes just don't mix somehow. I really want to know what they think of these big fellas with noisy motorcycles making themselves at home right next door or across the street.

Well, to end on a positive note, Adam, the fellow I spoke to said that if we ever had a problem at our house there would be someone at the club 24 hours that we could ask for assistance.  I thought that was very gentlemanly of him.

I just can't see myself walking into a party full of bikers, so I'm going to skip that party on the 8th.   Sorry, I know that would be a great blog post.  But if there are any other exciting stories that originate from the newest members of our community, I'll be sure to let you know.