Intense History Lesson in Phnom Penh

Today we went to the Genocide Musem which is located at the Tuol Sleng former prison. This is where they tortured thousands of people and then sent the survivors off to the killing fields. They took photographs before and after at the prison and these photos are all on display there now. So many people, so much torture and such devastation. The prison used to be a high school, but was converted to a prison during the civil war in the 70's. The prison stalls were crudely made of wood or brick. They played a film for us at the museum telling the story of two people who went through the prison and then the killing fields.
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Shackles used to pin down rows of inmates

lists of bodies recovered from various killing sites

pulling off fingerails

teeth, clothing and bones come to the surface during rains

Memorial Stola with layers of skulls

From the museum we took a tuk tuk to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. They have an audio tour set up where you get a set of headphones and an audio pack that will describe for you the different areas of the site, with additional stories that are optional. F. and I separated for this tour, and followed our own way. It was very sobering to say the least. So many skulls, bones, teeth, clothing of people that had been brutally murdered at these fields. I encourage everyone to read up on this site and if ever given the chance to come to Cambodia, to visit this site as a reminder of how evil people can become during war. Just awful. There really isn't much else to say.