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Cambodia/Kâmpóng Saôm Round the world trip 2007
12-24
We have been in Phnom Penh for the last three days: a bustling, dusty metropolis sprawled on the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. It has both broad boulevards and narrow choked alleys. We spent our first day visiting the palace and a wonderful National Museum. At night the parks fill with people, picnicking, necking, playing ball and gossiping – all glad to be out of their small living spaces. We dined at the famous Foreign Correspondents Club with our house hostess, Anne, who later drove us around town showing off the USA Embassy holiday lights under the full moon.
Another day we joined the Hash House Harriers run/walk. We first learned about this international group while in Bangkok. The Hashers were started by a number of Englishmen in 1985 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We all met up at the train station, hopped into a large open bed truck, shoulder to shoulder, for an eleven kilometer ride into the country, ending in an open field. Directions from our Hare: runners off in one direction, walkers in another. Down a dusty road skirting a nearly dry river we marched. Santa hats at jaunty angles and bells a-jingle with each step. We came from all parts of the globe: England, Germany, Aussie land, South Africa, east Asia, USA, France, Holland, and the middle east. Back at the truck after slopping through muddy rice paddies we quaffed down beers, sang songs, toasted and thanked all concerned. Later we went to dinner with our new found friends at Talk with a Stranger restaurant.
Yesterday we hired Mr. Paul, a Tuk Tuk driver for the day ($15US) to take us on tour. First to the Choeung EK Memorial (the Killing Fields). In a very quiet rural area stands the memorial tower, three to four stories high filled with tier upon tier of shelves piled with human skulls: babies to old people, thousands shot, axed, bludgeoned and chopped to death by the Khmer Rouge. Around the grounds are hollows and holes: mass graves still with piles of bones and clothes. This was a very difficult experience for both of us: tears and anger at man’s inhumanity to man. Estimates range from 800,000 to three million killed in the four years of the Khmer rage. Darfur continue on today, Rwanda, yesterday. How sad we are as humans.
Next is Toul Seng Genocide Museum , the former Khmer Rouge S-21 prison where 17,000 people were processed and less than a dozen survived. The actual prison was formerly a school. Some of the teachers became the interrogators and wardens. Conditions were similar to slave ship conditions of the early 1800’s: shackles and chains, hosed once a week – maybe, tortured by drowning, brute force, hanging and electrocution. All of this accomplished by children: vicious and evil teens, trained for this purpose by the Khmer Rouge.
Tuk Tuk across town to Friends Restaurant, an NGO (non-governmental organization) set up to help street children learn the restaurant trade, plus supported other vocational schools, provided training in hygiene, general education and language skills. What a wonderful, cheery and colorful place to brighten our spirits and warm our hearts. It did restore our faith in humanity. Further, the food was mouth watering, unusual fusion cuisine, plus the money went to a great cause.
Today we made preparations for Christmas Eve dinner; so off to the central market where Judee bought a beautiful Khmer piece of hand woven ikat silk and a center piece for the dinner table: a white bouquet of lotus blossoms. She checked out a spa with a Christmas special for a message, facial, pedicure and manicure for tomorrow: 2.5 hours for $37US.
December 25 Cambodia Weltreise 2007 >
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December 20 Cambodia Weltreise 2007
We have been in Phnom Penh for the last three days: a bustling, dusty metropolis sprawled on the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. It has both broad boulevards and narrow choked alleys. We spent our first day visiting the palace and a wonderful National Museum. At night the parks fill with people, picnicking, necking, playing ball and gossiping – all glad to be out of their small living spaces. We dined at the famous Foreign Correspondents Club with our house hostess, Anne, who later drove us around town showing off the USA Embassy holiday lights under the full moon.
Another day we joined the Hash House Harriers run/walk. We first learned about this international group while in Bangkok. The Hashers were started by a number of Englishmen in 1985 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We all met up at the train station, hopped into a large open bed truck, shoulder to shoulder, for an eleven kilometer ride into the country, ending in an open field. Directions from our Hare: runners off in one direction, walkers in another. Down a dusty road skirting a nearly dry river we marched. Santa hats at jaunty angles and bells a-jingle with each step. We came from all parts of the globe: England, Germany, Aussie land, South Africa, east Asia, USA, France, Holland, and the middle east. Back at the truck after slopping through muddy rice paddies we quaffed down beers, sang songs, toasted and thanked all concerned. Later we went to dinner with our new found friends at Talk with a Stranger restaurant.
Yesterday we hired Mr. Paul, a Tuk Tuk driver for the day ($15US) to take us on tour. First to the Choeung EK Memorial (the Killing Fields). In a very quiet rural area stands the memorial tower, three to four stories high filled with tier upon tier of shelves piled with human skulls: babies to old people, thousands shot, axed, bludgeoned and chopped to death by the Khmer Rouge. Around the grounds are hollows and holes: mass graves still with piles of bones and clothes. This was a very difficult experience for both of us: tears and anger at man’s inhumanity to man. Estimates range from 800,000 to three million killed in the four years of the Khmer rage. Darfur continue on today, Rwanda, yesterday. How sad we are as humans.
Next is Toul Seng Genocide Museum , the former Khmer Rouge S-21 prison where 17,000 people were processed and less than a dozen survived. The actual prison was formerly a school. Some of the teachers became the interrogators and wardens. Conditions were similar to slave ship conditions of the early 1800’s: shackles and chains, hosed once a week – maybe, tortured by drowning, brute force, hanging and electrocution. All of this accomplished by children: vicious and evil teens, trained for this purpose by the Khmer Rouge.
Tuk Tuk across town to Friends Restaurant, an NGO (non-governmental organization) set up to help street children learn the restaurant trade, plus supported other vocational schools, provided training in hygiene, general education and language skills. What a wonderful, cheery and colorful place to brighten our spirits and warm our hearts. It did restore our faith in humanity. Further, the food was mouth watering, unusual fusion cuisine, plus the money went to a great cause.
Today we made preparations for Christmas Eve dinner; so off to the central market where Judee bought a beautiful Khmer piece of hand woven ikat silk and a center piece for the dinner table: a white bouquet of lotus blossoms. She checked out a spa with a Christmas special for a message, facial, pedicure and manicure for tomorrow: 2.5 hours for $37US.
