The photos below are not for the faint of heart. They were taken at the Killing Fields and the former prison.
I’ve added a buffer for those not wishing to view.
This day had a dramatic impact on my understanding of the horror that occurred in Cambodia from 1975-1979, under Pol Pot. Truly unbelievable is the fact the Khmer Rouge continued to hold a seat in the U.N. (for a decade!) past the findings that 3 million people were murdered under this regime. We need to remember!
The photos tell the story.
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FOR THE MANY PEOPLE THAT LOST THEIR LIVES and THEIR LOVED ONES. May their souls rest in peace.
Reminders of the Atrocities of the Khmer Rouge
Spirit House at the Killing Fields
Tuols Sleng Genocide Museum . . . Former S-21 Prison
Prisoners of “S-21″ / Tuol Sleng
S-21 Cell
Torture Devices at S-21
Monk Reflects on the Horrors of the Past
Hope of Future Generations
January 13, 2013 at 7:59 pm
Hi Kirsten. We were in Cambodia this time last year, and also visited the killing field museum and S21. It is almost impossible to imagine that anyone could be so cruel. But amongst all the sadness and misery, we could see evidence of the resilience of the human spirit. Everyone we met who old enough to have lived through the Khmer Rouge had memories. The stories we heard were unbelievably sad and tragic. In spite of this, the Cambodians are all so friendly and always laughing . Somehow they were able to put this behind them and carry on and enjoy their lives. It is important, I think, to expose yourself to both the beauty and the cruelty the world has to offer. This gives us an greater appreciation of our own lives.
January 18, 2013 at 5:41 pm
Now I remember that. Tarantulas, right?! I couldn’t agree with you more . . . the Khmer people exude a sweetness I rarely see other places, along with a quiet sense of community and strength. It’s very nice being here and when I’ve talked with people that lived through the torture of the KR I’m impressed they don’t seem to want pity. They just moved forward!
January 19, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Tarantulas, crickets, water bugs, snakes and rats. But none touched my lips!
January 19, 2013 at 5:47 pm
You weren’t a little bit curious? I’ve been surprised how much congealed blood they eat. I’d be curious if they have exceptional iron levels.
February 13, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Thank you for sharing this. I remember learning about this in one of my college history classes. It was and still is hard to fathom.