The Killing Fields

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I think that Cambodia is the muddiest place I have ever been. Since it is the rainy season now it tends to rain at least once a day for a short period. The mud never drys. The streets are always muddy pools of sludge. It can definitely make tuk tuk rides more entertaining though. Who doesn't love off road tuk tuking? We are now exploring the capital of Cambodia. Our first day here was completely useless. We are staying in a backpacker area near a big lake. Our guesthouse is right on the water on the restaurant/lobby/patio is built over the water. It has a beautiful view and a great breeze. Our first day was spent relaxing in a gazebo over the lake with new friends. Unfortunately for us ,since we are not paying for AC, the breeze does not reach into the rooms at all. No worries though, all you do in the room is sleep.

Today we went to the genocide museum to learn more about the Khmer Rogue and the history of what happened during that period. It was definitely a fucked up time for Cambodia. It is amazing what people can do to each other. To see the pics of some of the pictures of the prisoners of this death camp was a moving experience. The Khmer Regime basically tried to kill off all the eduacated people and anybody who showed any signs of education, being able to speak english or french. They also seperated families so they could "reeducate"the kids and basically turn little 13, 14, and 15 year old kids into murderers. We watched a documentary that had some of the survivors of that prison in it and letters of some of the deceased. It spoke about how little boys and girls would kill people, accusing them of being educated or doing some minor thing. Of the 20,000 inmates of this prison only 7 survived. After the museum (the prison) we went to the killing fields. It is the place they would take the prisoners to kill them. They would strip them naked, kill them in various ways, and then dump them into mass graves. I can't say that it was a feel good day, but it is good to learn about the history of these people and the places we visit.

Another thing we have noticed about Cambodia is the lack of laws. Everybody offers you marijuana and people smoke in bars and restaurants, walking down the street, the guesthouses. There also seems to be no street laws. You just have to drive wherever you car or moto fits. It is very weird to drive up to massive intersections with no lights and to just drive right through traffic honking your horn. I cannot believe that 10 people don't die every day at these intersections. Something like that would never work at home. Tuk tuk drivers weave between cars and motorbikes slip between the gaps that are left. Ecerybody just goes at once and smehow they all get through alive, well most anyways. We have seen a couple accident, but usually nobody is seriously hurt.

It can be difficult with the beggars sometimes. You feel for them, and yet if you just gice them money , besides being swarmed by 10 more, you just make them contiinue begging. I am much more apt to buy a stupid bracelet that a kid may have made or buy something else they are selling than to just give money to "hello one dollar". I like the kids that actually try and make something and sell it. I will buy something like that even if I don't want it just to help the kid out. Usually it will not be much money anyways, even by backpacker standards. We will be in Phnom Penh for a few more days and then back to the beaches.

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Photos

Cambodian Girl
probably one of the beggar's sister. All she asked was to see the picture

Skulls
I don't know why they saved them for display

The Beauty of Cambodia
It can also be quite beautiful at the right times

"Hello one dollar?
that will be your greeting

relaxing at the guesthouse
we are over the river

Well it is the rainy season
this storm came out of nowhere. It was sunny and then 10 minutes later...this

Rules of the Prison
prison s-21 during the khmer rogue revolution.

Pics of the prisoners
notice the girls baby in the back of the picture

Average Cambodian Road
Its amazing the little bike could pull a tuk tuk and 4 of us through that muck

at the guesthouse
just one of the many staff members trying to sell me pot

The Killing Fields
it was kind of a depressing day

Comments

[Erik L]

Seen to be a good place to stay in
Hi, that guest house seen to be really nice, is it by the Tonle Sap? Planning for cambodia trip myself, so wonder if you could share some more details of that guest house. PLeasure reading your blog! Cheers

[MOM]

History in the raw!
Dear Brett, As history wasn't a class you received and "A" in, I am glad to see you so interested in a period that we studied. I read a book many years ago about what went on there.....sad what people do to each other. Look what is going on today both in Israel and Iran and sadly we are part of it. Someday someone like you will visit those two areas and say " look what human beings do to each other!" I wish we could all stop the fighting and just let people believe in what they want to and be happy. We love you and really miss you. Love MOM, Aunt Lannie and Larry