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Well readers...
I left the dirty streets of Siem Reap for the capital, Phnom Penh. The good news is that it was tarmac nearly all the way.
The city is clearly one undergoing change, but with some disturbing reminders of Cambodia's recent past. From 1975 to 1979, Pol Pot led the Khmer Rouge in a reign of violence, fear, and brutality over Cambodia. According to conservative estimates a million people - or roughly one seventh of the country's population - died from starvation, malnutrition and illness during this period. Another 200,000 were executed as enemies of the state.
We went to visit a one time secret prison; S-21 was a converted from a school & operated by the Pol Pot regime from mid-1975 through the end of 1978. The focus of S-21 was on those who were inside the Khmer Rouge, and thought to have betrayed the movement. The families of "offenders" were often brought to the prison as well in order to keep the deaths of their loved one from being avenged. Prisoners were banned from communicating with one another.
Almost all of the prisoners had worked in the armed forces, factories, or administration. Upon arrival at S-21, the prisoners were photographed, tortured until they confessed to whatever crimes the KR charged them with, and then executed. The prisoners' photographs (these are on display) and completed confessions formed evidence that was submitted to Khmer Rouge leaders as proof that the "traitors" had been eliminated. Of the 14,200 people who were imprisoned at S-21, there are only seven known survivors. It's not really possible to adequately describe the atmosphere of the place. It's hard to comprehend that such horrific crimes have taken place so recently. The visit to the school/prison was a very sobering and disturbing experince
Pol Pot's aim was to turn the whole country into a vast forced labour camp. Pol Pot, was intending to return Cambodia to a peasant economy in which there would be no class divisions, no money, no books, no schools, no hospitals. Those who had had any connection with the previous regime were eliminated.
From the prison we went to visit the 'Killing Fields" where mass graves were found and there is now a monument filled with skulls that were unearthed.
The capital city itself is quite diverse. The people are friendly & cheerful. The traffic on the roads has to be seen to be believed. I thought Thailand was mad! There are only two rules it seems: 1) you give way to any vehicle bigger than yours & 2) if I'm honking my horn it means I'm coming through regardless of what is coming towards me. Needless to say that I'm not adding to the chaos & renting a bike here!
Onto Vietnam by river-boat next (well, it has to be safer than the roads, doesn't it?)
Ciao, Deb x
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Carol
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Poppy
It must be quite sobering to see all this. Well Poppy has developed 2 circular bald patches on her back either side of her tail. Theyre not big - like a finger nail so Im taking her the vet to find out the cause after work on Fri. Shes fine in herself - not itchy or scratchy. Ive asked several cat owners for advice and looked on the web but nothing definite - could be a few things. its amazing these chat rooms with people who have 25 cats etc! Will let you know outcome .