Everyone wants to touch my beard. I’m completely confused. First, the kids, and now the adults, what do they want? I find out that men here basically can’t grow beards, maybe just a few random hairs. People have only seen beards on TV, never in real life. And most importantly, no one had ever touched one before.

So at this event, I feel both like a guest of honour and like some kind of circus attraction. But I’m honestly having a blast.

Enough talking though… I want to dance.

I step onto the dance floor, worried I’ll make a fool of myself, but then I realise everyone is dancing completely all over the place. We’re all a bit drunk, and I’m having the time of my life. I can hardly believe I’m actually here. The music is pure chaos, a crazy mix of super trashy songs blasted at an insane volume through blown-out speakers that distort everything. There’s even a live band on stage singing and playing, adding to this total madness that’s almost headache-inducing… and it’s exactly this insanity that makes it so ridiculously fun.

Then the bride and groom arrive. He’s in a tux, she’s in a white dress, classic. The crowd opens up, and they dance in the centre of the floor. At some point, the groom comes up to me and says something in Cambodian. I don’t understand a word. His brother steps in, explains who I am, and then they start talking intensely to each other. It makes me uncomfortable. Are they arguing? Did I do something wrong? Maybe my presence isn’t welcome after all.

I’m ready to get the hell out of there.

But then my friend smiles at me and says, “My brother, the groom, is honoured to have an Italian guest at his wedding.”

I barely have time to feel relieved before he adds, “You were sent here by God to make his wedding unique and memorable. Could you give him a gift?”

I look at him, unsure. “Of course, it would be an honour. What can I do for him?”

“He wants you to dance with his wife, now, in front of everyone.”

“What?! Are you kidding me? I can’t do that, I’m dressed like shit! And this is their wedding, not mine!”

He smiles calmly. “You would make them very happy.”

I take a deep breath.

Okay. Fuck it. Let’s do it.