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J-girl · #1 04-02-2005, 08:34 AM

Hello everyone! I have returned from a weeklong trip to Cambodia and I would like to share some of my experiences with you.

Our trip started in Siem Reap and the ancient temples of Angkor. These temples (or ruins, I should say) are at least a one thousand years old and have become the major tourist attraction of Cambodia (the largest and most popular is Angkor Wat). I was amazed at the detail of the carvings and art work, to say nothing of the fact that this was all done by hand.

I definitely got some exercise in going up and down the very steep stairs! We spent about two and a half days at the Angkor complex and it was AWESOME!!!

After eating, drinking, and shopping our way through Siem Reap,

we hopped a local flight to the capital city of Phnom Penh. My reason for wanting to visit Phnom Penh was a somber one - this city is the location of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek (The movie with Sam Watterson "The Killing Fields" was based on this, although the movie was filmed in Thailand).

Between 1975 and 1978, under the sadistic leader Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge regime, about 17,000 men, women, and children were imprisoned, interrogated and tortured at Tuol Sleng S-21 prison (a former high school; now it is the Genocide Museum). I cannot fully express the range of emotions I felt as I stood in the rooms where these people had been tortured in absolutely horrific ways. The "instruments" were on display too - leg irons, rusted out boxes used for electric shock, metal clubs used for beating and bludgeoning. And their clothes. The clothes of the prisoners were displayed, as were pictures. Every prisoner was assigned a number and was photographed. The faces stared out at me - and at times it was hard to look. I walked out of the museum, and I didn't know whether to cry or throw up.

Prisoners who were sentenced to die were then transported to Choeung Ek, The Killing Fields. They were forced to dig their own graves before being killed. (Usually they were beaten to death, the sadists didn't want to waste bullets.) In 1980 the remains of 8,985 people were uncovered here; many were bound and blindfolded, and now as a memorial, the skulls have been placed behind clear glass panels at the entrance of the field.

"Creepy" is not accurate, "Tragic" doesn't do it justice, and "Disturbing" is an understatement.

Choeung Ek is not the only site of mass graves in Cambodia; several others have been found throughout the country.

Other than this sobering experience, we did have an amazing time. The Khmer people are warm and friendly. It is amazing what a smile and a little humility can do in a foreign country! The food was delicious! One of my favorites was a coconut curry with fish and vegetables. It is a Cambodian staple called "Amok". We also had Thai massages and facials. We found several restaurants that were NGO's, working to help street kids by giving them job training in the restaurant business. We patronized these restaurants A LOT because, let me tell ya, it gets REAL difficult to watch homeless children and landmine victims begging for food and money (Sally and I didn't give money, but we did buy bread several times and handed it out to folks). Heartbreaking, but we felt these NGO's were doing an awesome job of helping kids get back on their feet.

WHEW!!! Sorry to ramble on, but this was the coolest place I've ever been to. It was truly moving, heartbreaking, and awe-inspiring at the same time.

Peace
Kelly

BrattyChelle · #2 04-02-2005, 09:10 AM

Kelly....you are to be applauded for you empathy to what you saw there. I am not so sure I could have emotionally handled visiting the killing fields or the museum. Your post and description alone brought me to tears.

So glad you enjoyed your time...and we missed you, glad you're back safely

Rob · #3 04-02-2005, 09:38 AM

Hey Kelly!

I've certainly heard of Angkor Wat and the other ancient temples. I'd love to have seen that. I wonder how I would have handled the killing fields museum though. Sounds like a reverse Disney World. But Glad you had a good time.

texanflowr · #4 04-02-2005, 11:34 AM

Kelly....... what an expierence you had! Thank you so much for sharing your journey... I must admit, it would have been difficult for me to have seen the things you described as well. Glad you have returned safely.... you were missed!

heykim · #5 04-02-2005, 10:53 PM

it is amazing that man has been able to display such good... and such HORRIFIC evil....

it is because people like you share what they have seen... that people like me... are forced to remember...

thanks.

Maggie · #6 04-03-2005, 12:26 AM

Thanks for the tour, Kelly.

I went to a couple of web sites to check out the temples. AMAZING! They must have been inspiring in person.

I admit I have a hard time thinking about places like Choeung Ek or Auschwitz or the World Trade Center pit, without becoming depressed about the whole "man's inhumanity to man" issue. I don't know how to wrap my mind around it.

Maxibee · #7 04-03-2005, 12:35 AM

Hey, Kelly! It's good to have you back. I'm thrilled for you...you've been able to spend time living among a different culture/people and you've had some amazing experiences. You will remember the Cambodia trip as long as you live. I think seeing/experiencing some of that horrible, tragic atrocity made you a more emotionally rounded person than you already were.
Aren't all the different things this world has to offer just amazing? Did you get to take pics of the temple ruins?

J-girl · #8 04-11-2005, 04:42 AM

I was talking to a friend of mine who had been to Cambodia during Christmas break. He said that he and his girlfriend had an incredible time there as well, except for one incident.

They were walking on the street in Phnom Penh at about 2am (stupid mistake on their part) and got mugged at knifepoint by a group of guys. Cameras, passports, money, everything ....GONE!

So they are freaking out, but a couple of guys on motobikes told them to hop on and they went chasing after them. Through a network of really great people going out of their way to help, THEY GOT EVERYTHING (except one camera) BACK!!!!! :eyes:

Now considering my friend paid more for his camera than most Cambodia people make in a couple of months, it was amazing that all of these folks rallied to help them.

I want to go baaaaack!!! :crying: