Phnom Pehn, Cambodia
DECEMBER 22, 2000
Yesterday I took in a few sights. Mainly went to the Vietcong Tunnels, and to the Dacoi Temple (can't remember the correct name... i'll look it up later, and update this when i have more time).
Went overland to Cambodia the following day. The roads are the worst I've ever seen. It looks like bombs hit the streets, the craters are that bad. You actually rock back and forth for about 5 hours from the Cambodian border to the capital city. If in the USA, I'd hit just one of those potholes, I'd think my car had permanent, irreversible damage done to it. Now I know otherwise. A minivan (our transportation), can actually hit 100,000 of those over a 5 hour period without immediate damage. It was pretty surprising to me. Those car manuacturers are getting pretty good these days.
Just arrived in Phnom Penh. Amazed at all the travelers. I thought people would be scared to death of the place. Apparently not? It is well-known for its violence though. Its advised not to go out after night. Too many guns in the society I think.
Also, I am absolutely astounded by the poverty. I've been to alot of countries, but never seen anything like this in my life. Throughout the roads, everytime we stopped, little kids and adults would come begging.
Even once we stopped at our hostel, we were surrounded by tons of guys on moped bikes offering to take us everywhere. They hung around all night, and walk up a nearby building, looking over asking if we want to go anywhere. Its astounding.
Also, while travelling on the road, saw lots of grinding poverty. Some kids without clothes, everyone seemed to have caches and caches of mud on them. Most houses were the kind you could see through to the other side. At least along the main road... the International Highway they call it, which is more like a country road anywhere else. A deserted country road that looks like its been blown to pieces by a thousand bombs every inch along the way.
To read the Next Journal Entry (In Vietnam):
December 24, 2000
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