Fusion in Phnom Penh

Trip Start Feb 06, 2005
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Trip End Jul 2005


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Saturday, February 19, 2005

We landed on our feet in Phnom Penhm, finding the best place on the lake without even having to search around. When I say on the lake, I mean on the lake- all the guesthouses are built over the water. The water itself is gross, but you dont have to touch it and it looks pretty under the stars.
We have finally found a perfect backpaker place. This must have been what Khao Sahn road was like 20 years ago. Lots of fun. Hope you're jealous.
We decided to do the tourist thing and see a few sights. We avoided the shooting range, cause i think the need to shoot big guns must mean you're compensating for something, and Joe agreed. Instead we went to S21, the largest prison under the Khmer Rouge, the killing fields, and the royal palace.
I don't think i've been more shaken than after I visited s21. It was horrible Birthday girl
Birthday girl
 . Everyone should see this, or Auschwitz or something like it. It only happened 30 years ago, and it's happening again in Sudan and Somalia. Fuck that shit.
So, then we went to the killing fields, where the Khmer Rouge put most of their mass graves. There are kids running round the pits, and new trees growing... it's kind of a nice statement that there is always hope. I think a Sinn Fein politican who died in prison in the eighties said once "our revenge will be the laughter of our children".
Then we went to the palace, which made us feel completely better. Nothing like seeing an extravagent lifestyle to make you feel good about the world.
So, Phnom Penh. One of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. Ancient Khmer (not the Khmer Rouge) ruins, mixed with old French colonial buildings and wide streets, and new phone stores and traffic lights. In how many capital cities can you see a flock of sheep run unimpeded through the streets? Or elephants, or monkeys?
I can see why people spend months just experiencing this one place but, as always, we will move on after only a few days.
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