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Brilliant
couldnt stop myself snapping picts of the lake " From quiet houses and first beginnings, out to the undiscovered ends, there's nothing worth the wear of winning, but laughter and the love of friends"
Phnom Phen is the capital of Cambodia, tho you would have never have guessed it. There are no big grand buildings that I noticed, though its a fairly large city. Nothing is 'built up' really, the parvements are sprinkled with little plastic tables and chairs, serving rice noodle soup, and cheap beer. The crumbly old buildings, cram in different little shops. Motos speed up and down the pot-hole roads, whilst locals squat outside their areas, either chatting, daydreaming or busying themselves with daily chores. The markets are swamped, and that familiar 'market smell' swept passed me and my smile.
At a glance, it is plain to see there is a lot going on. Its exciting to be on the back of a motorbyke and feast on the experience of watching. Motorbykes are the ONLY way to travel, which suits me fine though helmet-wearing is non -existant
I stayed in the backpackers area, and my guesthouse, like many of the others, faced a big lake, drizzled with green lilly water plants.
Lake
as you can see the lake looked stunning all times of the day The sunset was stunning, especially when locals would paddle through the greenery, at this time, in their slim wooden boats, making a fantastic photograph, and a fantastic place to chill with a beer.
I really enjoyed Phenom Phen, I met some great people, and partied hard. I met a girl who, so it seemed I had known for a long time, we pushed past the usual small talk travel banter, and shared the great experience of yapping. This , for me, reinfornced the thought that in the great voyage of travelling, the people whos paths you cross are gems to be treasured , and often lead to even bigger adventures walking down the same road, if only for a short time. Laughing, sharing and partying with people lights tommorow with today!
But there was a serious side too.
One morning, before the hard beat of the sun was upon my back, I took a motorbike ride to the famous Killing Fields, which existed under the Khamer Rouge. It quite simply is a big spread of grass with massive dug-out holes. Within them, thousands upon thousands of Cambodians were torchured and murder, there bodies were dumped and left
Village Children
The lovely children who i met in Lucky's village to rot in these burrows, creating a mass pile of death. In the middle of the field, where was a tall temple-like building, within it were thousands of human skulls, all categorised into gender and age. I felt sick, dizzy and disgusted. Knowing now how to pray, in a Buddhist way, I spent some time giving my energy, praying for the destruction to never return here or anywhere.
Later that day, already in need of a stiff drink, I went to the school-converted into a death camp. Aside from the small confines where prisoners were kept, there were thousands of black and white prison photos of all the victims. You didnt need close insepection to see the utter dread, fear, saddness and pain in each persons face. Babies, toddlers, children, teens, adults and the elderly were all taken there, families were seperated. Its when i got round to the childrens faces, thats when it all got too much, I lost the battle with my tears, and frantically tried hide the upset that i felt at the very bottom of my soul. I wanted to wail, but being a the socially-aware creature that I am, I opted for the second
Sunset at the guesthouse
a fabby place to chillout and take in the view option, leaving. I couldnt look anymore. Since that momment, I decided to educate myself on Cambodia.
The following day, I was Lucky to meet Lucky, a fat cheery moto driver who invited me to his village about 2 hours out of the city and meet his big extended family. It was a fantastic experience. I sat with his family, and played with all the local childeren who were fasinated by the fact i was from another country. Lucky told me they had never seen a white person before. Their house was built on stilts and underneath provided shade, and housed an enourmous pig, some clucking chickens and dogs. Family members swang in their hammocks and Mama kept comming up to me and rubbing my arms and fanning me.
20-odd children took me for a walk through the village and fields, and took me to a small temple where they watched me pray. Though we couldnt understand each other, through language, I felt something enourmous and special. It really was lovely, The children taught me Khamer words, whilst I 'oinked', 'mooed' and 'clucked' when i saw the animals, which made them giggle. Im pretty sure they thought I was crazy!
Some friends
Some friends i met in Phenom Phen. Had a great laugh with them Later, Luckys mother served up a lunch which consisted of rice, water-lilly soup and fish ( or so i was told- im pretty sure it was eel) It was lovely (barr the eel which i kinda swallowed without chewing), My eyes popped out of my head when mama served me the 'best' part of the 'fish' which was the guts and heart and intestines. Luckily, Lucky scooped it off my plate and gobbled it down for himself. He took me to his uncles house, where 3 girls sat and made silk cloths, with amazing details. I guess connections dont need language, the whole family were so kind to me, and their eyes sparkled as their lips parted to big grins. I was sad to say good-bye
The following day I went to an Orphanage, and presented them with a huge bag of rice. The children were sweet, tho was a little unsettling to see them crave the attention of new arrivals. Im glad i went there though.
And then, it was time to go. My excitement of Vietnam kicked in and I decided to take a 3 day boat journey into Siagon, instead of exploring Cambodia a
Death Camp
the horrors little more. This is something that, I maybe would have reconsidered now, it would have been nice to see a bit more of Cambodia, however its water under the bridge.
Time for a new exploration, what will Vietnam bring?
'Today as always, I live in the quite, joyus expectation of good'.
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Hmmmmm! Rather you than me to the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge - not a nice group of people!