Introduction to The Embassy of Cambodia
The story opens with a description of the Embassy of Cambodia in Willesden, London. This unexpected presence in the suburban landscape serves as a focal point for the narrative and a symbol of multiculturalism and displacement.
Highlight: The embassy's presence in Willesden is described as unexpected and somewhat out of place, setting the tone for themes of cultural displacement throughout the story.
We are introduced to Fatou, the main character, a young African woman who passes the embassy on her way to a swimming pool. Her background as a former chambermaid in Accra, Ghana, is briefly mentioned, providing insight into her past.
Vocabulary: Chambermaid - A person employed to clean and maintain bedrooms in a hotel or other establishment.
The narrator, speaking collectively for the people of Willesden, expresses their attitude towards the embassy, hinting at the complex relationship between the local community and this symbol of foreign presence.
Quote: "We have been watching the Embassy of Cambodia from our balcony for some time now."