Waking up on the sleeper trains is annoying. because they're always late, you never know where your stop is. Twice we got ready to leave, but it always seemed to be the next stop..
When we finally left the train station, we came to our hotel and after a few room mix ups and a few short naps, we were good to go.
We headed for the War Remnants Musium. This was one of the highlights of my trip, but also one of the worst. The musium is based on the American War (what we would call the Vietnam War). Outside there are tanks, helicopters, planes and a rebuilt part of a jail used. This jail showed the different ways people were tortuered and killed. Yet if you thought that was confronting, wait until you saw what was inside the building!
I felt physically ill when we walked through the exhibit on War Crimes. This musium is from the Vietnamese point of view, and what some US soldiers had done was just horrile! The My Lai Massacre for example was explaned in words and pictures that just made me sick. The story of three young innocent children hiding from US soldiers in a sewer only to be found and killed (I wont go into detail) was the story that I was most shocked by. But it wasn't al doom and gloom. One section of the musium was dedicated to the work of those photographers and journalists that lost their lives in the American war. The story of Dicky Chapelle, born Georgette Louise Meyer, was an American Photojournalist against communism, known for her work as a war correspondent in the war. She was hit in the neck by a piece of shrapnel and later died. There was something special to her story to me.
Next we split up, one group checking out the markets, the other going to chill at the hotel. The boys have been practicing their bartering skills and ended up buying 20 pairs of sunnies, getting the first pair from 150'000 dong (about $7.50 USD) and the last pair for 25'000 dong (about $1.25 USD). We later found out that not even the locals can get that price usually.
We than went out for dinner and later met up with our in country agent, to thank him for all his great help.
Tomorrow we are off to Cambodia to start on our Project work.
I have no idea when the next post will be, will try to get back to you all.
PS- You may have to wait for Jye's "Sea Urchin" story...
Your trip sounds so exciting I can't wait until your home and talk about all your adventures. I hope Boyd has taken lots of photo's. I hope Mrs Lelay is feeling better
ReplyDeleteHello lyn, thanks for the comment. I just showed Boyd. We are in Phenom penh Cambodia very different here. Everyone is in good spirits off to S21 and the Killing Fields tomorrow it will be quite confronting. Carmel
ReplyDeleteHi everyone, great to hear about adventures. It all sounds like an amazing experience. Had a chat to Malcom during the week and heard some funny stories. Hope that you are emjoying your time in Cambodia. Keep up the great work
ReplyDeleteMiriam
Hi Challengers
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome trip so far and you are all having the time of your lives! Did anyone mention State of Origin 34-24 in QLD's favour? I can hear the cheering from here.
We are finding alot of the blogs extremely funny. Looking forward to hearing more of the adventures, and now counting down till we see you all again.
Alison & Peter
Hi guys, just got back to Darwin for my week off, couldnt wait to get back to read your bloggs theyre great, Demi doing a great job. Sounds like you are having a fantastic experience testing your strength of character, and Juliens patience, as well as having a laugh along the way. Your "American" war story was interesting yet sounds confronting, sometimes it is good to see the best and worst of mankinds capabilities, could you imagine being in that situation? Hope you have a great time in Cambodia and working on your community project. Cant wait to see you when you get back and listen to more of your stories.
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