Don't Stop Believing : 2012-05-27

Our time in Cambodia was relatively short compared to Vietnam however, it was just as phenomenal. We arrived in Phnom Penh (capital) late at night via bus from HCMC. On the bus we met a British couple travelling in the same direction. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh we all jumped into our first tuk tuk and headed to our hostels. We stayed at a hostel called Me Mates (excellent hostel for those travelling – great staff and great food). After a long shower and some local food we met up with the British couple at our hostel. While chatting over beers in our room we had a slightly unexpected knock on the door.

Background story; while working as a Registered Dietitian in Ottawa I often spoke of my plans of travel prior to leaving with fellow colleagues and nurses. One day a male nurse over head me speak of heading to South East Asia. He approached me and explained that he was from Cambodia and heading back home two weeks. We exchanged contact information and two months later I found myself greeting him at our hostel door. It is unbelievable and amazing how quickly connections and friendships can be formed. His name is Sam and he joined us that evening with the British couple, as well as, to the beach two days later.

The following day we explored Phnom Penh while waiting for our bus to the beach in the South. We checked out the Russian market and took a tuk tuk to see the Royal Palace. At the Russian Market you can purchase almost anything you can imagine. Cindy and I bought many much needed tanks, shirts and some jewelry for the soul. Note: Too hot for T-Shirts here, pants or anything with thick layers. Our group always jokes that its also too hot for boyfriends/girlfriends. A little inside group quote. Cindy and I bought "Same Same but Different" tanks which have now become a group uniform. Super cheesy but loads of fun! After stocking up on clothes we headed down to the beach for a few days.

On the bus to the beach we met two awesome Canadians – Scott and Allison! Yeah Canada! With the two extra Canadians we wander the beach strip until we found a cheap hostel right on the beach. Our room cost us $2.50 each for the night! It cost more to eat than it did to sleep! We all took a good part of the day to get some exercise on the beach. Cindy and I went for a run along the shore and followed up the run with a few push ups and stretches. Due to our lack of exercise over the last month all of our calves were sore for over two days post and we walked like gimps. That nigh, feeling like gods from our work out, we partied it up at the beach with Scott, Allison and some rockin Dutch lads and a lady we met at our hostel. That night I got my first battle wound when someone broke a glass and I sliced my big toe.

After our dose of the beach we headed back up to the capital to see the Killing Fields. This was a historical site that none of us wanted to see hung over. We spent the night chilling out in our room and catching up on some zzzzz’s to prepare ourselves for what we were about to see. The Killing Fields is unlike anything I have never experienced in my life. When you arrive they give you a head set and you walk yourself through the fields listening to a survivor’s dialogue/explanation. If you are not aware of what the Killing Fields in Cambodia are, as many don’t (myself included prior to travelling) educate yourself now. "If we do not learn our history we are doomed to repeat it". I will not post all the pictures on the Killing Fields as it will disturb many however there is one of a tree.....Please skip this section if you have a weak stomach...

At this 'killing tree' over 100 women and children were killed. The women were stripped, raped (even those pregnant), and put into the pit beside the tree. Soldiers grabbed babies by the legs and smashed their heads against the tree and threw them into the pit. There was a quote stated by those committing the killings “To dig up the grass one must remove even the roots”. Meaning if one member of a family was killed they were all killed to prevent people from wanting revenge. No one was left alive. At night they would play music and run a diesel engine so those locked in the prisons couldn’t hear the killings that happened at night. 3 million Cambodians were killed by Cambodians (out of 8 million). If you ever come to Cambodia this is a difficult sight to see but it is an absolute must. Standing looking at the killing tree I had to listen to the recording twice because my mind could not believe the cruelty that humanity had done to itself at the foot of this tree. I cried and thanked the gods for being born into such a beautiful safe country. My prayer is that history will never repeat it self like this again.

On to the next stop....

We headed up North to Siem Reap to see the temples. Siem Reap is one of my favourite cities thus far. The energy here is awesome and the people are so friendly and helpful. We connected again with Scott and Allison, as well as, the Dutch and partied a little too hard last night. We stayed up till 4am, woke up at 5 am and headed out via tuk tuk to watch the run rise over the Angkor Wat temples. An absolute gorgeous moment of my life. We took a tuk tuk around for most of the day exploring all of the surrounding temples and sights. Which leads me to this moment right now...we just got back from renting our own mini theater and watching Red Tails (movie about WWII pilots). Tomorrow we wake at 6am and head for Bangkok. Unfortunately learnt yesterday that we can't get visas at the Cambodia-Laos border via bus therefore must head to Thailand and then the North of Laos....

My apologies on all the writing but there is much to say yet so much was left out. Everyday I find myself learning a little bit more, seeing a little bit more and living a little bit more. Everyday I find myself doing something that scares me, something that forces me out of my comfort zone or learning something that expands my mind. My mind, my beliefs and my character is changing day by day. The Leah who left Canada will not be the same one whom returns...