the blog for tonight!
Today was a somber day in comparison to the fun filled, , spirited adventures we've had so far. We began with breakfast in our new hotel, who we sadly share with the general public. Then we took a short bus ride to S-21, a "VIP" prison with torture chambers, which was highly known and frequented during the Cambodian genocide, under the rule of Pol Pot. We walked its grounds and entered the actual rooms in which government official's were mercilessly tortured for information. Hundreds of photos adorn the walls of the horrible means of torture, as well as photos of every single person who entered S-21, never to return. After that, we made our way to the infamous killing fields. Here, anyone deemed a threat to the communist rule would be executed. Mass graves are all littered in bracelets, signs of blessings and hope that this awful event is never repeated. Within the centre of these fields is a large glass cabinet, in which all the skulls of the victims are displayed.
With heavy hearts and introspective minds, we headed back to the hotel slowly, mulling over what we had all just witnessed and the terrible crimes that had been committed. How could we better raise awareness of this monumental event in history? Why don't we talk about it?
We were given some free time, where most of us retired to the hotel pool to relax for an hour or so.
Finally, we all began to get ready for our shabbat dinner at the Cambodian chabad house. Every one having proper showers and getting tidied up, preparing for our dinner.
As shabbat comes in, perhaps we should all take a moment to consider how little we may be aware of the world around us. This trip is an opportunity for us all to learn and grow beyond our small communities, becoming aware of this big, wide world we belong to.
Shabbat Shalom to everyone back home, we are all safe, well and happy.
Claire and Shani
Working as a team
And we will get the job done!
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