Phnom Penh in 2010
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Country number 20, Cambodia, we’re only here for 8 days 3 of which were spent in Phnom Penh, the capital so it’s a flying visit and there’s lots to see and even a 50th to celebrate!
Cambodia is a country full of tragedy, half the population was wiped out in the 70s and hundreds of mass graves are spread across the entire country. Our first day was a bit of a history lesson as we all headed for one of the main prisons and the killing fields. The S21 or Tuol Sleng was originally a high school but was shut down in the 70s during Pol Pots Khymer Rouge regime to take Cambodia back to year 0 and exist as a farming country. Intellectuals were captured and brought here for interrogation into the whereabouts of their families so they could all be killed. Men, women and children were brought here blindfolded, many were tortured and often starved to death. No one ever escaped the prison but there were 7 survivors, 4 of which still live to tell the tale. Much of site has been left the same since it was abandoned in 1979 even blood stains are still visible in many of the cells.
Many prisoners were transported to Choeung Ek or Killing fields where they were murdered on mass, many were buried alive! There is also a tree which was used to smash babies against then toss them into a grave. Whilst touring through the killing fields with our guide it was clear we were walking through mass graves, clothes, teeth and small fragments of bones were coming up through the ground due to the rainy season and it felt wrong to be walking where we were even though we kept to the paths. With my background I was almost on my hands and knees trying to identify fragments of bones, there was even a skull popping out from the ground. A memorial stupa is in place in the centre housing a small proportion of the bones recovered from the graves to highlight the atrocities to visitors.
After our somewhat sombre morning we headed off for happy hour at the Foreign Correspondence Club. Simon turns 50 on the 8th and fancied a pre turning 50 birthday party which cheered everyone up and also gave some of us an excuse to try out our tailor made clothes! A real night of class!
The next day was a bit of a slow start, and we headed for the Russian market around lunchtime. I think we’re both a bit marketed out now and came home empty handed (can you believe it?) and went for a wander around the city for some Wat spotting.
Off to Battenbang this morning for 2 days of birthdays; Simons then Taylors so it’s going to be a bit of a party of a visit before we head for Siem Reap on the 10th.
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