CAMBODIA. FINALLY STANDING UP?

CAMBODIA 1969-1979.

-        Cambodian Communist Government reinforces relationship with China and North Vietnam giving its back to Thailand and the USA.

-        Consequence: USA B-52 bombers constantly kill thousands of civil Cambodian people officially in seeking for Viet Cong forces. One of the worst massacres during the second half of twentieth century.

-        As a result, the people support the Khmer Rouge rebellion army which liberates the country capital, Phnom Penh, on April the 17^th, 1975. The citizens welcomed this on the streets waving arms.

-        Only two days later soldiers, weapons in hands, evacuate nearly two million people from Phnom Penh. The reason giving: an oncoming US bombing mission and a strategy to reallocate skilled persons to upgrade the country situation and economy. The hidden reality: Any talented person, someone who spoke another language or simply wore glasses was considered traitor o “contaminated by Western mentality”.

-        94 torture camps were secretly created within the country. The most popular was Toul Sleng (known as S-21), a school transformed into a horrendous prison where thousands of teachers, doctors and others were assassinated. Some others were sent to killing fields where they would die days after.

-        Between 2 and 3 million Cambodians (out of a population of 12 million) were exterminated during the Pol Pot period (1975-1979).

-        Ironically, the country was named as Democratic Kampuchea.

-        Those who survived had to work on the fields to maintain a country that closed all the borders (one flight to Beijing every two weeks was the only exception), abolished the use of money and almost left people without health assistance (only Cambodian traditional “pure” cares were allowed whereas the members of the leading Angkar had occidental treatments in China)

-          Young lads were invited to join the army in the search of more traitors. First test to join: find a member of your family suspicious and kill him or her. Many parents died from their children’s guns.

-          December 1978. Vietnam army conquers Cambodia. Pol Pot rebellion forces still fights till 1989.

CAMBODIA 1989.

-        Vietnam left a communist leader in Cambodia before allowing independence.

-        Cambodia decides to slowly open to the rest of the nations. Pens seem to substitute guns after many years.

-        However, the new government refuses taking Pol Pot and other Khmer Rouge Group leaders to court against United Nations instructions.

-        Nevertheless, due to the genocide Cambodia lacks of skilled professionals. Due to the isolating policy, there is no trade with the nearby nations. And due to the war, the country reaches high rates of poverty.

CAMBODIA 1998 - 2010.

-        Cambodia decides to accept the rest of the world countries requirements and takes Pol Pot, Duch (S-21 responsible) and others to Justice. Not all of them, though. (In fact, some of them are still waiting for verdict nowadays).

-        By doing this the WB, IMF, UNESCO or the UN finally shake hands in the new century to Cambodia which receive loans, white funds, charity assistance and cultural recognition to promote heritages such as Phnom Penh sites or Angkor Park.

 

CAMBODIA 2012.

-        This is the first generation in 30 years to live in peace.

-        There is a long way ahead to educate people, fight poverty, erase corruption and develop the country. First steps are done, though.

-        Tourism and investment slowly grows up.

-        Angkor Wat and Angkor Park is nowadays considered the best ancient temple area in the whole Asia.

-        Now you may understand why some people beg for money, why lads play football shoeless, why the prostitution or why some kids walk naked.

-        What you do not fully comprehend is –after all these facts- what in heaven makes Cambodians smile at you, adults kindly accept tourist behaving and children approach you in English so respectfully and politely. Isn’t it a good lesson?

TIPS:

I saw? = Phnom Penh, Tuol Sleng Prison, Choeung Ek killing field, Siem Reap (Angkor Park)

I slept? = Guesthouses.

I ate? = Hamok (fish) with rice, Meat pate sandwiches, Seafood noodles, BBQ chicken sticks, banana & chocolate crepe, a lot of fruit, Spanish omelet.

Troubles? = Hot and humid. Nothing, indeed.

I met? = Many nice people and very polite children. Sopay, the owner of that smile. The day after TVs announced the North Korean leader’s death, I met a nice South Korean lady who told me about the relationship with North Korea.

Like most? = Angkor is simply outstanding. Cycling around the park for some days is definitely the best way to enjoy it as you can stop anywhere. You can enjoy the temples at their best as you can climb, sit or even rest anywhere. The friendly people. My first 4 hands massage.

Disliked most? = I had a wonderful time with two kids that approached me and talked to me (in Cambodian) for nearly half an hour. Then they went with their parents waving me goodbye. Ironically, just a few minutes later, on my way to my hostel, a man came to me to offer me teenagers for sex. Spending one night with a 13 years old girl will only cost you 60 €; one hour for 30 €, this bastard said. It upset me for the rest of the night.

Transport means? = Bus, tuk-tuk, bike, minivan.

Side they drive? = Right hand side.

Bric-a-brac? = As per my t-shirt, I cooked Spanish food at the guesthouse in Siem Reap and got the room for free. Besides, it became funny buying the ingredients at local market; bargain with sellers and buyers in each other’s language as I was the only foreigner.

My Prices? = Hotel room: 6 € a night. 350 km bus ticket: 8 €. Food: 3-5 €. Bottle of water: 0,2 €. Tuk-tuk: 5 € 25 km + waiting. Petrol: 93 cents/l.