The Khmer Rouge

It’s pretty hard to describe this nation. The terrain is very similar to Thailand except there’s seems to be more rice paddies. But the people have been through horrible atrocities.

WARNING: The rest of this entry contains graphic information

A genocide occurred here from 1975-1979. Haven’t heard about it? We hadn’t either until about a month ago. I guess that’s the thing that is particularly disturbing. Everything about it is rather disturbing, but what really bothers me that the world really doesn’t know, or want to know, about this whole situation. We had no idea that up to 2 million people were executed between those years. Basically, in April 1975, the communist militia won the civil war, and then tried a terrible social experiment.
They said the time was year zero, and everything from the past needed to be erased. They then emptied the main city of Phnom Penh, (where we are currently) which had about 3 million people at the time. They sent everyone to go work in the fields and harvest rice. They had borrowed heavily from the Chinese and now had to pay them back with rice. Money, marketplaces and everything advanced was destroyed. Owning any kind of material things were not allowed, the penalty was death. Thousands starved and families were separated, and everyone was terrified about saying absolutely anything.
We have visited some sobering sights in the past few days. We went to the Tuong Sleng Museum, Also called S-21.

It was once a high school but under Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, it was used for torture and execution of prisoners. Anyone who was a suspect was brought here, and were made to confess to their “crimes”. The method of choosing the victims was quite crazy. Anyone who had any schooling, or any “western association” (wearing a watch or speaking any language other than Khmer) were automatically targeted. Anyone who spoke out against, or was considered a threat to, the rule of Angkar (what they called the new rule) were executed or sent to fatal work camps. Men, women and even children of all ages were victims. Here are three mug shots of some of the accused.

The prison is very much in the same state as it was during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Many of the smaller classrooms were used a prison cells, and torture chambers. It was eerie to be there. But I feel compelled to write about it. I did not know. I fear that probably many of you do not know about this either. It is of a graphic nature, but how can people help if we are unaware? We may think ignorance is bliss, but truth reigns supreme.
We also went to “The Killing Fields”. It was the extermination camp and mass burial grounds of the S-21 prison. It was pretty horrible. It’s like attending a funeral, but worse. After you enter the grounds, there is a monument (or stupa) to remember those who were killed. Inside the glass cases are skulls.
Thousands of human skulls.

It really hits you in the face when you see it for yourself and up close like that.
Yet Cambodia is a nation of contradiction. As we were walking around the grounds, rain coming down, recollecting about the carnage that took place here, there’s a boy of about 14 walking ahead of us singing out loud, with no apparent concerns.
It weighs heavy on us. It is tragic that human beings can do such things to each other. If you’re still reading, and want to be more informed, there’s some books you can read. “First they killed my father” by Loung Ung. It is her personal story of what happened when she was a child. Also, “Voices from S-21” by David Chandler. There’s also the movie “The Killing Fields”. It came out in 1984 and is based on the story of an American’s journalist who was there at the start of the revolution, and the story of his close friend and helper who was Cambodian.
In 1998, Pol Pot, the leader of the “revolution” died before any justice could be done. His second in command also died before any type of justice could be served. Sadly, this seems like the norm without anything being done officially to give closure, by way of trials or a tribunal.

During that time, millions of landmines were planted in the fields and country sides. This is still a very relevant problem as they estimate there are about 4-6 million active landmines still abroad. On average, about 40 people are injured weekly due to landmines. We have been advised, and followed, to not stray from any paths. All around you see many victims who have lost limbs or been badly burned. We also visited the landmine museum a few days ago. It is run by “Aki Ra”, a former child soldier who’s job it was to deposit the landmines. He now uses his experience in the field to locate and disassemble landmines. Commendably the Canadian government has been quite involved in the abolition of personnel land mines, and their use throughout the world.
Yes, this is explicit, but it IS what happened. We can easily choose to ignore it, just as much of our world has done. Or we can educate ourselves and do something about it. Even telling someone else about it is something! The people who are hurting, starving, and dying around the world are very real; As real as each of us are to each other.

Moto Mania

In Cambodia, the majority of people use motorbikes as the main mode of transportation. Going to the market, picking someone from school, that sort of thing. Helmets are optional, of course. My eyes have been opened to the amount of uses for this motorbike. People here haul around more cargo on their motorbikes than most people do in their pick-up trucks in North America! What can you hall with a moto? More like what can’t you.



Different uses we’ve seen of the motorbike:

Hauling produce... and your wife









Transporting 4 queen size mattresses


















Delivering 3 good size pigs





















Moving scaffolding

























Loads of bananas

















3 monks and a driver





















Here we have a guy carrying three helmets but not wearing one of them!!




We’ve also seen 3 propane bottles on the back of a motorbike but it’s on a video instead.














Here we’ve got the bicycle used to transport a large plank


















I don’t actually know what these are called. They are like a two wheeled tractor that is hooked onto a trailer. They seem to be like an oversized rotor-tiller, where you have to hold the handles down to use it. Plenty of uses with that one! Whenever we are out and about in Cambodia, we just sit back and enjoy the show. There doesn’t really seem to be much for rules. It’s recommended you drive on the right side but not required. Uncontrolled intersections are maybe the most entertaining with all directions going at once, basically the person with the most guts gets to go. There are surprising few accidents, and everyone seems quite calm and relaxed. We’ll continue to update this as we get more on camera. So now you've had a taste the mighty Moto!!

The Kingdom of Thailand

Thailand, every cheap Mennonites dream. Things here are nice but quite cheap. I think that speaks for most of Southeast Asia. Our time here has been good, my folks came out for a few weeks and we had a real enjoyable time on the beach and also in the markets. We spent 5 days in the south at Railay beach, while staying busy lying on the beach, snorkeling and we even got in a couple of dives (check www.flickr.com/photos/crftravels/ for more pictures).
We then made it to Chiang Mai, where yes, there was plenty markets and foot massages. It has been a time of refreshment, if you can refresh in the heat that is. We are off to Cambodia shortly.
Sorry for the long delay between posts, but, sometimes it’s hard to remain faithful on here and post regularly. Partly because internet access can be limited and partly because we sometimes feel like no one is reading anyway. If and when you read this, send us a comment or better yet, send us an email and tell us how YOU are doing. We may be half way around the world, but we still like knowing how YOU are doing. The only way we can know is if YOU tell us. It helps us not feel so out of touch! Thanks for bearing with us.