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Published: January 1st 2007
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Killing Fields of Cambodia
One of many locations where people were executed just 30 year ago...Estimates vary on number of people killed as between 1 and 3 million. The population of Cambodia was 7 Million at this time! So off to Phnom Penh we went. What can I say. Before I went to Cambodia, I had little general knowledge of the country itself aside from the usual Gary Glitter stories and little much else.
What is it really like?? Phnom Pehn is the capital and anyone who is anyone pretty much lives in the Capital. If you are someone in this country, you drive a 4x4. You are likely to have on you or have easy access to a gun. You probably have bodyguards. You/ Your parents money almost certainly comes through/came from illicit ways i.e corruption/backhanders. You may even drive your car around with no registration plate and blacked out windows. This is quite common and you may well have blood on your hands in some form. This is the way the Khmers have been brought up and this is the way Cambodia runs. This is the 'bad' side of Cambodia and what years of lawlessness, corruption and bribery have done to the country. It is getting better but for now keep out of the way of Chaps and youll be just fine. For the rest of the people, life is working hard for 40-80 dollars a
Killing Fields
This Killing Field houses skulls and clothes of many of the 8000 that were executed here. Most were clubbed and tortured to death as bullets were considered an expensive way to kill people. month and just going about daily life in a happy go lucky way and in a way where you have yourself and the people around you only. You have no faith or reliance on anything else like the government or local councils. It is well known by all that all the money that has allowed these people the 4x4's and the luxurys has come from and continues to come from aid from other countries which never has made it to the right sources..Crazy.
On the danger front this is what my very good taxi driver friend told me. If you go out at night, always take enough money for the night. Some taxi drivers may take you down a dark alley where a friend is waiting. They will ask for your cash. You give it to them without question. If you have none, you tell them this and they find you have, your in trouble. If you havent, not an issue and they will let you go.
If you bump into a Khmer in say a nightclub such as Haart of Darkness, you politely
apologise and move on. If you dont, you are in quite serious trouble. The people here do not make empty threats.
Finally, if you do get robbed/hotel room gets robbed, your passport/credit cards will almost always find their way back to your room. You see, Its quite funny but people here have a line they do not cross. Lets call it a respectable line. Absolute madness. Needless to say I had no problem whatsoever.
So in Phnom Pehn, I went to the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge and off to the S21 prison. These were just two of the many places were innocent people were tortured, kept as prisoners and ultimately killed under the Pol Pot regime. These were moving and tragic places and to read the stories of what was happening in this country at a time when I was growing up watching the Muppet Show was trully shocking and an eye opener for me personally.
In between the touristy things, I spent much time just people watching and chilling in the cafes/bars. I dont think that there is any nicer and more relaxed place to sit and watch the world go by. As I
said before, you wont finder nicer and happier people in the world. Take my word for it.
I turned down the opportunity to do many things. Any drug whatsoever, fire a rocket launcher for 200 dollars, I even did not visit the happy 'marijuana' herb shops on the river front and I just had a very nice time drinking the local beer. It was very nice. Many people get involved in drugs here in Cambodia and end up going home in body bags!!
On the Gary Glitter front, I am sure it happens but I did not see anything obvious in my face and awareness is increasing with many posters and number hotlines so it is getting better here for sure.
After Phnom Pehn, I went down to the beach resort of Cambodia, Sihanoukville. A very nice place and still very far from turning into a developed beach resort as some places in Thailand. Here I also really saw the side of Cambodia in respect of Children. On the beach resorts and everywhere in the country there are alot of children who come from very poor families or who have no parents. I will not
S21 Prison
This school was turned into a prison and torture area. People were taken from here to the many Killing Fields were there lives ended. The Khmer killers would even eventually kill each other. go into the facts and figures but in Cambodia, many kids work collecting cans/bottles and may make a dollar or two a day. Many kids do similar work and earn similar money and they will not go to school. It was a real eye opener and gladly on many occassions I would buy them drinks and share my dinner with them.
On my return to Phnom Pehn, my good friend Taxi Driver took me and we went to two orphanges and took them each 100kg of rice from me , my sister and Luis and my mum and dad for Christmas. They really did appreciate this and the kids were great and I had a really nice time and I really now understand how much this was valued and how so many places need the same help.
And finally no sooner did I feel like I just was getting to know and love the country, in no time 3 weeks had passed and it was time to head to Vietnam. Cambodia was for me a great country and for all round everything, I would say my favourite country. I hope that many of you one day will share
S21 Prison
The Rules were simple.. the same good experiences of this country as me and I hope that if anyone ever thinks they have a spare 50 pounds, they will donate it to an orphanage in Cambodia.
Merry Christmas.
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Marv
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Happy new year! Where r U???
Poppy hows it going. Things look fantastic out there and you are making the most of this great adventure. Have read everything you written and am in compete awe of your exploits in Asia. Must be time to start heading home soon, seems like a lifetime ago we where in the polashi. MMMM chicken batli and Cobra beer. Hope you had a good christmas sure it was like no other you have had before. No need to do a spurs update there always the same. Lennon has signed for 5 years thats about it. Got new golf clubs for xmas and birthday so when your back will have to have a slow walk round pickets lock. Look forward to your next entry and seeing you when you get home. Take care mate. Marv