We woke up and got informed by our resident history expert, Mr. Wood about our emotional day out at the Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields, as well as the Khmer Rouge, which most of us in the group had never heard of before today. It was a confronting experience to see all the faces of the prisoners on the wall who had been put through such severe conditions. We also saw the cells in which the prisoners were kept in and the beds on which they were brutally tortured. Walking through this somber environment was just the tip of what would be experienced by the Khmer people who suffered under this regime. What made this trip today even more distinct was the fact that while we were walking through the prison a trial was being held for Duch, one of the main culprits who was part of committing these major war crimes.
The Killing Fields was a wake up call to the tragic modern history of Cambodia. Whilst walking through this environment, our emotions were crippled and the scenes were intense. When walking through the actual Killing Fields we saw unsettling scenery, of bones and teeth still in the ground from 40 years ago. The Pagoda in the middle of the complex was filled to the top with skulls and bones from the victims, as well as the weapons used to torture and execute anyone who opposed the Regime. Walking around the massed graves gave us a sense to how many people were murdered. While walking through the fields, we could imagine the actual scenes as almost everything was kept untouched. We also learnt about the leaders of the Regime and what they did to the Cambodian people. After a few minutes of reflection we headed of to lunch, the bus ride was one of the most quiet bus rides of the trip, most people were still getting their heads around what we as a group just witnessed.
After lunch we headed off to the Russian Markets. We got into small groups and went shopping for goods. It was hard to walk in with other people and it was also hot and stuffy. They sold all sort of things, from fruit and clothes to motorcycle parts. Some of us bought gifts for people at home while some bought miniature bicycles for themselves. Some of us saw the other TLC group and some of them bought shoes, clothes and stuff. It felt like we were right in the guts of Cambodia, it felt real due to the smell, the people and the food.
After an hour at the market, the group went on a boat ferry along the Bassac river and watched the sun set over the city of Phnom Penh. It was a nice mellow way to end the big experience. We saw a lot of sights including the riverside lights, the banks of the Bassac, and the Cham people who live along the river side. It was a good way to relax and recover from an emotional day. We then docked and headed out for dinner at an eco-restaurant, had a nice meal and then headed back to the hotel for our last sleep of our journey.
Audrey, Elissa, and James H
