Well, I wasn’t going to write about today, but after a long talk with John, I decided that I needed to share some of what we learned in Phnom Penh and what one out of four Cambodians (3 million) suffered under the despotic rule of Pol Pot between the years of 1975 and 1979. Apparently, Cambodia was another collateral damage from the war on Viet Nam, since the US used the Cambodian border as a launch pad for rockets when all else failed. After the US pulled out, Cambodia was destitute and in shambles, and a perfect stage for a ruler with no morals and strong ideology to enter.
Pol Pot entered Phnom Penh in 1975, fresh from communist indoctrination in France where he attended school, with ideas of a grand new society where all workers would support the common cause. OK, but if you were a teacher (which he was) or a monk, or wore glasses (in other words–maybe a thinker) you were toast.
We first visited one of history’s prominent prisons, a former primary and secondary school, Tuol Sleng (S-21), which was transformed into a torture machine.
Later that morning, we took a car out to the “Killing Fields”. I was not excited about the visit to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, but at the end of today, the sad trip gives me much to think about, especially, man’s inhumanity to man. John captured some great photos of the Stupa (the memorial building housing so many remains).
The bottom line to this day for me is that the Cambodian people (all of whom seem young!) are so respectful and cognizant of the impact this sad epoch has had on their history and psyche. The memorial to the killing fields is a short walk with audio (about an hour) with an excellent Cambodian/English speaker (for us anyway–most visitors are European). This experience stimulates thought about what is happening in our world today with innocents.
Upbeat side to our visit, our boutique hotel is darling, the pool a godsend after a hot day, and again, smiling faces acknowledging our enjoyment of our surroundings! What a country!
Teresa Van Haalen Ventures 
Written with emotion, geeze, Teresa. I feel the heat and your agony concerning humanitie’s cruelty!
It is incredible that this is not an uncommon in our world. I just read Unbroken which is another look at the suffer of mankind. I chose not to visit the holocaust museum when I was in DC, but since then I have heard how great it is. When Bob and I go together sometime we will be sure to go there.
I am in Eureka now. i brought down Mom’s dresser for Lynn and Chris. By the way they decided they would like us to hold on the the bed until they get their foster child just in case. I am having absolutely no luck in selling it anyway so I will be glad to do that. We are having a really nice, relaxing time. Today as well as yesterday we went for hikes in the redwood forest, so beautiful!
Love to you both!
Tamara
Catching up on your blog after our trip. Your most recent dialog on your journey to the killing fields and pictures were very eye opening. Brings back memories of my visit to Dachau concentration camp in Germany many years ago. We have also been impressed with all your pictures. we feel as though we have been travelilng with you. New excitement at home. John and I picked up our westfalia camper van on Saturday, very cool. xoxo Maidy
What an experience! Your descriptions and detail sure make your trip easy for us to live it, even if vicariously. Rabel & I visited Auschwitz two years ago and Dachau this last spring. Both serve as sobering examples of what you witnessed in the Killing Fields. Incredibly, it continues in the present tense!
I love the idea of your travel blog. Maybe we can figure out how to do that for our next adventure. Don’t think we could top what you’re doing! Thanks so much for taking the time to put it together for us. Keep it coming. Love to you both,
Joyce & Rabel