mickan in world

After spending two days in the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Pehn, I already feel a bit more educated concerning the history of this (quite unfortunat) country. Of course I was familiar with some of it's history, the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot is not easily overlooked, but a visit to Phnom Pehn really puts the details into context. The town in itself is not very pretty,making an exception for the pagodas Wat Phnom and the Silver Pagoda and the river walk, but it holds an historical value and some significant and interesting museums.

We started our exploration of Cambodia's 20th century history with a visit to the Toung Slen Genocide Museum. Used under the name S21 during Pol Pot's era, mainly for torturing and executing "enemies" of the Democratic Kambuchea. The enemies coiuld be anyone with an education, or a high rank or even someone whos only crime was wearing glasses.
The museum in itself is not a very agreable experience, but as stated; educating and important. It is horrible to see the state it is in, the governement having no funds for renovations and with no external fundings coming in, this historical monument is falling apart.
After seeing pictures of people imprisioned here, Jossan and I decided the next logical step was visiting the killing fields at Choung Ek situated some 12km outside the city. We hired a tuck tuck and were on our way. Though there was not much to see the visit was an awarding experience. We visited the stupa raised here for the people who died under Pol Pot's era and lighted incence for the 8 000 skulls collected here.

Yesterday we went to the National Museum and to the central market, selling everything from deep fried cricket to jewellry. In the evening we watched a movie about the Cambodian Genocide and by doing so compleating our education. At least for now.

This morning we took an early bus to Sianhoukville and that is were you find us at the moment.. It seems like quite a good place. White sand and turquise water, fruit juices for 50 cent. A bit of a change and we are basically the only ones here, it's a bit of a diamond in the rough. I think we may like it here...

Just to make things clear to everyone. Trinity Collage is a collage in Dublin and where I plan to spend my next four years... Jackson, try googeling it and you'll see.

Bissous!