In February I went traveling in Asia, outside of worktrips, for the first time since I moved here. I love experiencing new places and travel in south-east Asia is easy and affordable. But since I arrived, my focus has been on getting to know Thailand, learn Thai and get into the work I am doing. So traveling has not exactly been on the top of my list.
But during the Norwegian «winter holiday» my aunt, uncle and cousins went on a missions trip to Cambodia. Combining visiting Cambodia and seeing my close family is a great combination. They came to visit me and liked it here, so they decided to visit more missions work in South-East Asia. It was interesting to hear from them what they experienced visiting with Christians in Cambodia.
Visiting Cambodia was such a good experience. We enjoyed some relaxing by the hotel pool, but we also mad our way around the city to see some of the sights. Cambodia has a very interesting, although sad, history. As someone with a degree in history visiting some sites in Phnom Penh was such a touching experience. Me and my uncle and cousin visited the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Walking through rooms used for torture and murder felt eerie. Knowing that so many human beings died there without any rhyme or reason is heartbreaking. How can anyone be so power hungry and so scared of losing that power, that they make people kill their own neighbours? Unfortunately we have a lot of similar examples.
During the genocide and dictatorship, Cambodia was set so far back in their development. Seeing how they are on their way to a better situation was wonderful. Of course there is still more to do. There always is. But they have come far in the about 50 years since around 40% of their population died, they stopped using money, most of their educated people were killed, and everyone were forced to become what was essentially farming slaves.
Cambodia was lovely, and I for sure want to visit again to both learn more about the country, and visit other cities. I really recommend visiting it if you are in this part of the world.
