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Fascination and Depression
Entry 37 of 44 | show all | print this entry |
Cambodia is still recovering from decades of war and violence, including 4 years of rule by the genocidal Khmer Rouge who killed as many as 2 million people here. Still, the people are some of the warmest in the region and have offered us incredible and genuine displays of affection. (Women in the market hug us and welcome us to their country!)
The very word Cambodia came to be associated in the 70's with atrocities, poverty and refugees. We are now in Phnom Penh where we have been witness to this history at Tuol Sleng (s-21 Prison) and the Killing Fields. The prison (now a museum) was the largest centre of detention and torture in the country under Pol Pot. Between 1975 and 1979 the Khmer Rouge held more than 17,000 people there...they were eventually taken to the killing fields of Choeung Ek. (We're sure most of you have seen the movie...)
Of all the prisoners taken to S-21, only 7 were found alive when the Vietnamese liberated Phnom Penh in 1979. The museum is more than sad...the Khmer Rouge (like the Nazis) were meticulous at maintaining records, so there are actual photos of all who passed through, including their torture. Our visit was profoundly depressing in some ways but then again it is great that the Khmer Rouge are no longer terrorizing the people of Cambodia. It is wonderful for them and for us since most of this country could not have been visited just a few years ago.
We have some stories to tell about the trip here from Vietnam...after which you won't complain so much about sitting on the Niagara Falls or Buffalo bridges!
We are headed to the south of Cambodia tomorrow (Sihanoukville) and then we will come back here before heading to the highlight of Cambodia, Angkor Wat up north in Siem Reap.
More from south, north or Bangkok!
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