Impressions

 

Cambodia is a slightly bizzare place. Their brutal treatment at the hands of the Khmer Rouge was relatively recent and their society is still recovering. From 1975-79 their government practically declared war against them. Almost every behavior that defines humanity became illegal and punishable by death. City dwellers were evacuated to the country and enslaved to create an agrarian society.

 

They lost around 250,000 civilians to America’s carpet bombing campaign in the “Vietnam” War, and then shortly aftewards, lost one to three million to genocide. Former government officials, intellectuals, artists, and any sympathizers were executed along with their entire families.

 

Cambodia has a “Wild West” feel to it. The cities are gritty. The sales techniques are pushy. The government, police, and border guards are corrupt. Sometimes it feels like everyone wants a piece of you. We met an English couple who were trying to run a business there and only referred to it as “Scambodia.”

 

However, the people have a great sense of humor and it truly is a great place to relax. Beer is cheap, the food is good, there’s kind of an “anything goes” mentality, and let’s not forget, they have the incredible Angkor Wat.

 

 

Air

Land

Water