Yeserday, Susan and I got the unique oppurtunity to observe members of the Khmer Rouge on trial at the Phnom Penh courthouse an hour outside of town. (I wan't to apologize in advance if my grammar is poor, my keyboard is especially shitty...very frustrating). When I realized that long pants were required for entry (I was clearly wearing shorts), the secuirty guard denied me access. As I was walking away, another judicial security officer officed to rent me a pair of jeans for $2. This was cleary a scam. It is ironic to think that such things happen at the natioal judicial headquarters....hah. Anyway, the man being tried is named Duch, the former head of Tuol Sleng Prison. It is fascinating to see history in the making before my very eyes. While the trial, headed by the UN, has already lasted for months, there is no end in immediate sight. Duch is the first of four Khmer Rouge members being tried.
The drive back to town allowed me to see a slew of brothels along the edge of the road. Disguised as "massage parlors," you can get special treatment for 5000 riel, or a hefty $1.25. Recent statistics indicate that about 1/3 of active prostitutes have HIV/AIDs...a staggering number. I know where to not find a girlfriend. Most of the girls are young teenagers which is particularly disturbing.
After a quck bite to eat at a Western style sandwhich shop (I was so hungry I ordered 2 meals), Susan and I visited the nearest prison in the outer province bordering Phnom Penh. In visiting with members of an NGO promoting human rights, we gave food and toiletries to the female inmates. The prison conditions are horrfic (straight out of locked up abroad). It is very sad because four of the women are taking care of young children during their sentences, one of which has a second on the way. Living quarters for all prisoners are miserable, especially for men. 48 men reside in cells that are intended to sleep 12 people. The food they eat is minimal and infested with flies, bathrooms are both scarce and unsanitary, and cells are scorching hot. Watching Locked Up Abroad has taught be never to smuggle drugs from a foreign country...these guys looked rough.
I wanted to write a bit more, but this keyboard is killing me. Ill get back to everyone tomorrow.
chum reep leer,
Matt
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Nice posts. "Shane Syndrome"? Lol. Have you met anyone else your age who's doing the same program? How does the food compare to the food in Argentina/what are some more examples of typical dishes? Does the average Cambodian speak more English than the average Chilean or Argentinian? Do people still learn/speak French? Is there a Cambodian national drink? I see that highs are in the 80s-90s there pretty much year-round and that it is very humid now, too. Does it feel (physically) like home?
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ReplyDeleteI knew that Shane would come through with the questions. For now, there are not other people working with my program, but on Sunday I am going to a village called Wot Opot. There are a number of volunteers working there, hopefully some my age. I have also met a bunch of people around my hotel and spent some time with some locals (ex: the aerobics story). The food here is pretty basic: lots and lots of rice, beef, chicken, and lots and lots of fish. Most meals are hit or miss, but I have had some fantastic ones. Also, Cambodia is not big on commercialism, so there are minimal American food chains (I have only seen KFC). Surprisingly, most Cambodians speak English to a degree. I have not had any issues communicating or trying to get around. I have noticed more Westerners than South America as well. French is not nearly as common, which is odd because Cambodia was a French province only 60 years ago. There is no national drink here per se, but people here enjoy rice wine (very strong). The national beer here is called Angkor, and it is pretty good. While the weather is very similar to that of Atlanta (Cambodia rests along a similar latitude), there is not much wind so the sun is brutal. I instantly sweat when walking outside.
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