S21 was at the centre of a system of prisons across Cambodia used by the Khmer Rouge to inflict horrific torture on innocent citizens from 1975 to 1978. A former high school, it is now a museum in the middle of Phnom Penh, a solemn testament to the country’s past. Tears were never far away as I listened to stories of what happened there; they flowed freely a little later in the day when we visited the infamous killings fields. What one human being can do to another in the name of (fill in blank) is one of life’s mysteries.
The tears had dried by the time Paula and I returned to the city. Paula is my friend who is teaching English in South Korea and who arrived Saturday night. It is wonderful to have a traveling companion. We sat at a rooftop bar overlooking the river as the sun set, eating yummy finger foods and counting our blessings. Later, we made our way to the Night Market where Paula replenished her summer wardrobe; I resisted, having resolved to stop the clothing addiction. It’s amazing how quickly prices fall when the vendors see disinterest!
The six-hour bus ride to Siem Reap was long. But there was a reward at the end, because this town is wonderful…big enough to have lots of interesting things to see and do, small enough to go out without a map, get lost, and find your way back again (tested and found to be true!) We stumbled across something called Pub Street (pun intended) and were caught up in a New Orleans vibe that likely goes on into the wee hours. Not tonight though; our tuk-tuk driver will be here at 5 a.m. for sunrise at Angkor Wat.
