Summet was at our hotel early. Michelle noticed him at 8:45. We rushed breakfast and KT to keep him from waiting. I was really happy to see him again. He indicated traffic might extend an hours drive to a little longer. That's ok. More time to talk. Traffic was kinda stuck here and there. As he had been an Tuk Tuk driver for 15 years, he knew all the tricks and routes. I really enjoyed how calmly and slowly he drove. The last few KM's to The Choeung EK Genocidal Center was all kinda awesome back roads. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choeung_Ek
I'm glad we knew him because it was way out of the normal way :-) Once at the center he indicated he would wait in the shaded parking area. He said 1.5 hours with an audio tour will provide enough time. Tickets were inexpensive along with an English audio headset. We each took our time listening at our own pace.
It was seriously hard to deal with. Although permitted to take pictures, we could not. After returning our headsets, Summet asked if we wanted to eat. I don't think any of us felt like it but did to provide a healthy distraction. I was most concerned with KT as this story is news to her. She was shaken and lunch provided a good time to talk. On the drive to S21, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Michelle did not think she could do it. KT wanted too. As it was not far from our hostel, we committed. Michelle decided to last minute. Good for her. http://tuolsleng.gov.kh/en/
Once again audio headsets were donned and now an even more in your face torture center was presented. It's so difficult to grasp how humans can behave this way. Once a school then a torture center. We each came out so pissed off at how slowly the world reacted to what happened here. Why? As these acts continue even today possibly in Syria, we all decided to look deep and do much more.
There is just no way we feel it's right to take pictures here. If you do choose to visit Cambodia though I highly recommend you visit these 2 places. As hard as it is, there is much benefit to experiencing it.
We gave Summet a huge hug after being safely returned to our hostel. It was time for a healthy dose of something positive We decided to watch a movie in our hotel room. Christopher Robin fit the bill nicely :-)
More info can be found here on these places
https://www.thecommonwanderer.com/blog/tuol-sleng-s21-guide-phnom-penh
http://www.killingfieldsmuseum.com/s21-victims.html
Restoring Family Links in Cambodia
https://familylinks.icrc.org/en/Pages/Countries/Cambodia.aspx?from=Cambodia&to=0
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