History Tour in Phnom Penh

Time for another blog post! Last weekend we got to visit Phnom Penh.  We spent most of Saturday either at the Killing Fields or at the S-21 Prison.  The remainder of our day consisted of checking out Central Market and trying out some local restaurants.  I don't have a lot of pictures from Saturday because it felt strange to take pictures of somewhere that so many horrors had taken place.  That being said there will likely be a lot of words and not as many pictures.  Sorry, I'll do better next time.

A sunset view from the bus on the way to Phnom Penh.

The Killing Fields we visited is one of several Killing Fields throughout Cambodia where the Cambodian people were taken to be killed during the Khmer Rouge.  Maybe the Nazi gas chambers come to mind?  People being brought in like animals to be slaughtered.  Unlike the gas chambers, however, the people of Cambodia were not killed using a gas.  Many were not even killed quickly with a bullet.  Instead most of the people were brutally hacked to death by whatever tool was convenient to the Khmer Soldiers.  Some examples include bamboo poles, shovels, hoes, etc.  Many of the tools the people used previously to farm with.  While at the Killing Fields we had an audio tour.  Perhaps the most powerful moment of the tour was at the very end when we stopped by what is called the "Magic Tree".  This tree was where the speakers were hung that played revolutionary songs to drown out the cries of those who were killed.  Lights were also hung from this tree so the soldiers could see what they were doing.  In addition there was a diesel generator running to power the lights and music.  While under the tree I heard a sample of the revolutionary songs combined with the noise of the generator.  The quality of the noise sounded as though it was really playing and was not just a recording.  It was crazy to hear what so many heard on their last night on Earth.  It was a very sobering experience.  After the tree and the music I had the chance to look at the memorial stupa where many of the skulls and bones of those who were killed are on display.  It is heartening to know that after the horrors these people experienced during their life so many have come along and taken the time to understand what occurred and show their respects.

A view looking towards the killing fields.

The memorial stupa at the Killing Fields.

After the Killing Fields we went to the S-21 Prison as well.  This prison used to be a school, but during the Khmer Rouge it was converted into a Top Secret torture prison.  The intent was to torture "enemies" of the Khmer Rouge in order to weed out more enemies and discover anyone who was connected to organization like the American CIA.  They did get many names during their torturing exercises, but the awful part about it is that they were just made up names and stories to prevent the torturing.  Those being tortured were former teachers or artists or anyone educated.  They were regular Cambodians who had not been trying to fight against the Khmer Rouge.  Most had never even heard of the CIA and now they were expected to give details about traitors.  The whole process was pointless.  It was also weird to walk into the first classroom where some of the torture had taken place.  The air vents had been boarded up and glass was put in the windows in an attempt to keep the cries of the victims from escaping the room.  It was strange to think that I was standing within the same walls and on the same floor where so many had been brutalized.  If that wasn't enough we saw where the prisoners were kept.  Most were kept shackled together by their legs in a mass cell.  But below that those who were being tortured were kept in individual cells that had been built in the classrooms.  The walls between classrooms in one building were broken down and the cells were made using brick or wood. There were no latrines and there was hardly room to lay down.  I can't imagine going through that.

The river we were next to for dinner Saturday night.

As you can imagine Saturday was a little bit of downer so it was a huge blessing on Sunday to go to the English branch in Phnom Penh and hear the Sacrament prayers in English.  It was a really touching experience for me.  I could really feel the love of the Savior that morning and I felt so much peace after the crazy weekend.  After church we spent some time at the Wat Phnom which is the Buddhist temple in Phnom Penh.  It was cool to see inside of a wat and even see a few people worshiping. There are so many great teachings found in the Buddhist religion about loving your fellow man and being a good and wholesome person.  After the temple we went to the bus station to start our 6 hour trek back to Siem Reap.  And thus concluded our weekend adventures in the capital city.

At the base of the stairs for Wat Phnom.

The water drain Jessica and I walked down thinking they were stairs.  (They don't really have signs here to explain anything.)

A giant clock next to Wat Phnom.