Two sides of Cambodia
Cambodia is one of the most interesting places we’ve been. There are many facets to this wonderful country and I have had a difficult time finding the right words to describe them. Consider this the best I could come up with.
Most of us are familiar with the genocide that took place in the 1970’s at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. To visit the “Killing Fields” or the infamous secret prisons of Phnom Penh (the capitol city) is to be reminded in an all to0 real way that nearly 3 million Cambodians were killed by their fellow countrymen in a span of roughly 3 years. There were only 8 million citizens of Cambodia in total at that time. It is baffling to me that human beings can be capable of such unbelievable brutality and destruction. Quite honestly, it made me ashamed to be part of the same race.
Business is growing in Cambodia, tourists are coming and there is a sense that the tragedies of only 30 years ago have been mostly forgotten. That is until you have the opportunity to speak to the people. It seemed that everyone we talked to over the age of 30 and even many under that age had been impacted directly by the genocide. Fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters were murdered. Literally taken to the “jungle” or to the fields and killed. No one was left unaffected.
Those wounded still walk the streets in search of donations. Some sell books, some simply beg. One man in particular was being pushed around in a cart by another man as his body was so mangled by a Khmer Rouge land mine that he couldn’t walk. By the way, there are still land mine caution signs all over the Cambodian countryside.
As I said, business has returned to a certain degree. This city, however, is not like most cities of a similar size. The streets of PP are only paved to the edges of the city and then turn briskly to dust. A city of millions travels, in large part, on dirt roads full of pot holes so large that you can’t drive more than a few miles per hour.
We visited PP right before Christmas. It made us very thankful for the blessed lives we have led.
The flip side of Cambodia lies only 6 hours north by boat. The famed Temples of Angkor (Angkor Wat) are simply beyond words. Most of us have seen pictures of the wats (temples) before. Angkor Wat is listed as one of the only remaining original 7 Wonders of the world. Laying eyes on these temples forces you to ask how mere human beings can be possible of creating such beauty. These structures are massive. Some of the temples (there are over 300 in Cambodia) took over 40 years to build and were build entirely by hand. no machines. To imagine how blocks of stone weighing over 1 ton apiece were maneuvered miles down river and then hundreds of meters in the air is incredible. It made me proud to be part of the same race.
Cambodia is a perfect example of the best and the worst that humanity has to offer.
SIDE NOTE: we’ll have our pictures of Cambodia posted soon (I’m knocking on wood). you can google Angkor Wat and see better pictures than I could take I’m sure.
If you’d like to read more about the Khmer Rouge and the Pol Pot regime, I can recommend. “Stay Alive, My Son” and “First they killed my Father”
Tags: Cambodia, killing fields
Weiser Wander
hey you two, looks and sounds like you are having a wonderful and educational trip, we look forward to hearing the stories first hand (especially with your gift for story telling) Tina and I keep up on you often, just have not taken the time to comment too often.
Be safe,
Eric
Just got off a 7am conference call about EQC, bet your jealous! I’ve just read the last couple of weeks of postings and now I’m jealous. Sounds like you guys are learning so much about the countries you visit, I’m impressed with your commentary. Scott, how do the “locals” take to your socks and sandals attire?
Happy trails to both of you!
Ron