So we've been in Siem Reap for 6 days now and we've seen some pretty amazing things (besides the floods getting ever higher!) A few of the more random things include 2 people on a scooter carrying a dead cow, Monkeys in the middle of the road, minding their own business, two inter-locking evil looking dogs to name but a few. We've spent some time getting to know the harrowing history of the Khmer Rouge and have seen many things that remind you that it really was not long ago!
We stopped by an amazing little photography gallery adjoined to the children's hospital set up by a photographer who raised money to build a hospital for the mine victims and the children around Siem Reap as the infant mortality rate is horrendous (still 1 in 15).
And today we took a 1 hour tuk-tuk ride with Helen to the Cambodia Landmine museum which was a real eye opener... Founded by a guy who was recruited as a child soldier at the age of 10 and was made to plant landmines as young as 5 years old, he has dedicated his life since the war to clearing landmines. His story is amazing and something that you could never even imagine but now he has also set up an orphanage which teaches 36 poor, injured and sick children of which many have gone on to higher education and full time employment.
Due to Helen knowing one of the girls who volunteers there, we also got a rare opportunity for a tour around the school (not open to visitors) and saw some lessons being taught and all the plans for the physiotherapy department (to be opened soon!!) Needless to say we were all very moved and became more aware of how lucky we are to have had such a stable upbringing.
Aside from all of this one thing that you really get from being here is that the Cambodians do not feel sorry for themselves, they get on with their hard life and it is safe to say they are the most smiley and happy people around.
Sorry for the depressing post but we both feel it was important to share these experiences with you. If you want to find out more about the Cambodian civil war you can google 'Pol Pot' (as I knew pretty much nothing about it). S x
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