The Kingdom of Cambodia is a tough place to swallow. Sure, avoiding the poverty, blatant sex industry, and brutal history may allow for a more "pleasant" trip, but hardly an honest experience. It was here I felt the most polarity of mind. How do I reconcile the current beauty and charisma of the country against the physical and emotional damage I am learning about? This question lingers still as I reflect.
Our first few days were spent in the nations capital, Phnom Penh. This city exemplifies hustle and bustle. Rush hour was every hour. People live in public view. Two large attractions that we visited were the Killing Fields of the Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge and S-21, a school turned prison during the same period.
I remember being a young, about eight, when I first saw pictures and hear stories of the horrors that happened in Cambodia. A friend's dad shared photos of his trip to Cambodia. It was the piled bones behind glass that stuck with me. Seeing them in real life brought me back the confused sadness I felt as a child.
Next the GlobeTREK team travelled to the Kampong Thom province to volunteer with Empowering Cambodia. We spent our time with this organization teaching English and playing games with the kids.
Finally, we arrived at Angkor Wat. These 9th to 13th century temples attract over 2 million visitors a year; for no small reason I might add. This was an experience of a lifetime that I am ever grateful to have experienced.
Our first few days were spent in the nations capital, Phnom Penh. This city exemplifies hustle and bustle. Rush hour was every hour. People live in public view. Two large attractions that we visited were the Killing Fields of the Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge and S-21, a school turned prison during the same period.
I remember being a young, about eight, when I first saw pictures and hear stories of the horrors that happened in Cambodia. A friend's dad shared photos of his trip to Cambodia. It was the piled bones behind glass that stuck with me. Seeing them in real life brought me back the confused sadness I felt as a child.
Next the GlobeTREK team travelled to the Kampong Thom province to volunteer with Empowering Cambodia. We spent our time with this organization teaching English and playing games with the kids.
Finally, we arrived at Angkor Wat. These 9th to 13th century temples attract over 2 million visitors a year; for no small reason I might add. This was an experience of a lifetime that I am ever grateful to have experienced.
S-21: It is hard to imagine the ideology that would allow for a place like this
Here, behind me is the memorial of the Killing Fields
Latter-ball in South East Asia; good thing I practised so much last summer
I am in here somewhere
Probably one of those photo's that should never be posted... let alone taken
1 comment:
I never read this before today, you're a good write Kevbot
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