A quick two day visit to Cambodia's capital packed with lots of activities. The country has been plagued with occupation by the French, civil war and being dragged into the Vietnam conflict it is no wonder they are still struggling to get on their feet.
The drivers here are insane. There does not seem to be any traffic laws. Crossing a street is at great risk.
Day 1 we arrived via Vietnam Airlines and headed straight to the Royal Palace. The architecture was very different from the others we have seen. It was quite beautiful. Traveling days are always tiring so we were glad to have some resting time before dinner. I have started to cut back on how much food I am willing to eat at meals. Nothing less from Han 4-5 courses at each meal which usually includes soup of some kind. We walked a bit after dinner to a shrine in the park to make an offering. Young children were following us begging for money. Our guide advised us to watch out for pick pockets. I was not comfortable walking around the city and was glad when we got back on the bus and headed back to the hotel.
We started our day yesterday meeting a survivor of the S-21 prison. One of the many detention facilities that the Pol Pot regime setup to interrogate prisons and then eventually execute. Not only did they execute the prisoner but his or her family as well. We later went to a killing field where mass graves were unearthed. I am always amazed that men can think u so many ways to torture each other rather than finding ways to peace
After the killing fields we headed to a performing and visual arts school. We were treated to classical and folk Cambodian dances by the students. Of course some of us raised our hand to get dressed up in the dance dress and learn how to dance. It was quite fun and very humorous.
From the school we headed to the central market for a bit of local shopping. Overwhelming is all I can say about the size and amount of goods for sale bricked up a dress for $6 and an embroidered shirt for $9.
Phnom Penh has a long way to go to come back to the days when it was considered the most beautiful city in SE Asia. There is construction everywhere you look. It would be interesting to come back in 5-10 to see the changes.
We ate dinner at a local restaurant across the street from our hotel. It is a culinary school where street kids are taught the restaurant business. Gourmet Cambodian. Although we did not try it there was crispy tarantula and fried tree ants on the menu. I am told by our traveling companions, the Nancy's, had the tarantula. It tasted like crabs. Yuck.
Headed to Siem Reap today to see Angor Wat
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