Finally able to stop for a while to begin a new series of blogs. This time Sue and I are in Cambodia. As a few of you are aware this trip is not all shopping, pool lazing and massages. This time we are putting our money and muscle into improving someone else's life.
In a few days we will be building a Khmer house in a small village not far from Siem Reap. We donated the money for the house and now go help erect it. I can honestly say I spent more money on setting up my push bike than this home cost! It's such a small price to help out a community still recovering from the Pol Pot regime.
Speaking of which some of this blog may not be suitable for young children. Mums you can decide but I'll warn you prior.
Lets begin with the airport! Why is it when there is someone in the check in queue who's annoying you they always end up sitting next to you for the next 6 hours!! Just ask Sue on her return! Very funny.
Other than that a relatively uneventful flight with a quick stop in KL and before you know it........
Cool drinks,hot weather and a pool.
When our room was ready this was how it was presented.
Pretty hey? Until you have to remove all the flowers to lie down. Oh and did I mention we had our own plunge pool?
After a quick catch up on some sleep it was off in our tuktuk, with a lovely man named Dary. He became our personal driver for two days. Waited for us, waved to find us. Hugged Sue. He was a true gentleman and whenever we didn't understand each other we all just laughed.
WARNING!!!! serious stuff for a bit. maybe stop here if children present. Your choice if your happy to try to explain. There are some disturbing pictures.
A visit to Phnom Penn requires travellers to take some time to visit S21 and the Killing Fields. I had read a lot and to know these atrocities took place as I was a teenager growing up was frightening.
S21 was a school turned into a prison and torture was an everyday event. While walking around here the laughter of children can still be felt among the rooms turned into cells. The play equipment modified for torture. And just to give you an idea of the thousands tortured and held here only 7 survived.
The rules are clearly laid out.
Prisoners were chained to the wall, the ammunition box for ablutions.
And yet the school yard still looks like children should be running to class.
Outside the gates of S21 beggars congregated. Missing arms and legs from the land mines. It leads to a real dilemma. These people can't work but you're advised not to give money as it encourages them. It's confronting and real.
After S21 Dary took us on to the killing fields. Tortured prisoners were transported here and slaughtered on arrival. Their bodies thrown into mass graves.
Keep in mind the people we are talking about here are teachers,doctors,lawyers,police,professionals,anyone who wore glasses. I won't go into all the details why,except to say these people were a threat to Pol pots regime and were exterminated.
Each depression is a grave and everyday bones and clothing of the dead are exposed by the weather.
In complete silence we walked around the killing fields listening to a audio guide explaining everything. There were many people here today and yet so silent, all listening,reflecting.
The next photo is a tree where baby's were killed and for Sue and I both the final straw before the emotion was too much and we both sat holding each other in silence. To know people can do these things to each other.
Many of the graves have now been exhumed and the skulls placed in a giant stupa.
So what were you doing between April 17, 1975 till 1979 ? I was 11 to 15 years old. Probably arguing with my parents and complaining that the world wasn't fair. There are very few elderly in Cambodia now as they were all killed. It's a sobering blog I know but it's real and frightening. Tomorrows i'll be talking about the markets and deep fried spiders!!!! As we bus off to Siem Reap. For any mums tomorrow's blog will be a great story I promise. Perfect for bed time reading. Hug each other and be forever thankful for a wonderful life.
Uke complete me!
Location:Phnom Penn
