Today we visited the killing fields that were very confronting to see and learn about. It was horrific to learn about the ways in which people were killed and tortured. The ways people were tortured were ruthless and disturbing. The Khmer Rouge regime run by Pol Pot, started in 1975 and ended in 1979. Our new tour guide Mr T gave us insight to what life was like living in the time of the Khmer Rouge. We saw the sights of multiple mass graves containing hundreds of deceased people. The most confronting being the graves of hundreds of infants and women who were killed by getting their heads banged against trees, not to mention other form of execution. We all observed in silence and with heavy hearts as we paid our respects to all the victims in the Khmer Rouge Genocide.
We then visited the S-21 prison, Tuol Sleng which was a once a school and Pol Pots regime turned it into a prison. The prison was once filled with many innocent people whose lives were taken from them. They were totured up to seven times a day without proper treatment, and kept against their will in chains and confined to their cell. Out of the thousands of people who once entered the prison only seven managed to escape. Out of the seven survivors, two are still alive today; their names are Chum Mey and Bou Ming. Chum Mey’s family were all killed in front of his eyes but being a mechanic is what saved his life, he was used to fix the type writers and was given food in return. He was imprisoned for three months and twelve days. Our visit to Tual Sleng Prison was a confronting experience to say the least, but will remain with us forever.
We then went to the Russian market which was bustling with people and smelt like chicken and miscellaneous spices. We believe that they call it the Russian market because everyone is rushin’ to make a bargain, actually the Russians used to trade at this location. After checkn’ out the market we got on a boat and cruised down the Mekong river, it was really relaxing and the views of Phnom Penh as the sun set were beautiful. We then climbed aboard a few Tuk Tuk’s and enjoyed a friendly race to our next destination. We arrived to the place where we went out for dinner which was a ‘non for profit’ restaurant, There was to a shop also trading there called Friends ‘N’ Stuff which sold many recycled items.
Today was a jam packed day of activities and a roller coaster of emotions. We were all ready for a well deserved sleep .
By Emmy, Lizzy, Ana, Tom and Meg.
