Despair

This picture is self-describing. The pile of bones and rags were left there deliberately as a testimony to the horrible crimes committed.

Blood Memories

When we arrived at Choeung Ek, many little kids came to greet us with offers to pose in front of our cameras. You would hear their pleading voices saying, "Kamera, kamera, one, two, three smile." And, "1 dollar, 1 dollar". We had learnt that these kids were often victims of syndicates exploiting the little ones to beg for the tourist dollars. And I guess that's why I was very reluctant to take up any of their offers. Besides, if you obliged one kid, a flock soon follows.

In the middle of the Killing Fields site stands a structure known as the Stupa. Interestingly, this is what a stupa is supposed to be:

A stupa (from Sanskrit and Pāli: m., स्तूप, stūpa, literally meaning "heap") is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics--once thought to be places of Buddhist worship--typically, the remains of a Buddha or saint. [source]

But for this great monument, skulls, bone fragments, clothes, sandals etc., are placed on wooden shelves as a testimony to the horrible crimes that happened on this bloodied soil. At the entrance of the stupa, there's a small urn for placing joss sticks offered for the dead.

Being there, and even now, it all seemed so surreal. How could men be so capable of such atrocities? Men, women and children brutally beaten to death and thrown into pits to die. But sadly, it is real.

Peek in the Past, Look to the Future

Perhaps some of you might recall that I was using this title as my MSN Personal Message together with this photo as an icon. This picture was also taken from within the minivan that was bringing us to Choeung Ek.

The full caption I had in mind actually consists of three parts, but for brevity I decided on only using the first and last phrases. Here's what the picture attempts to portray:

1. Peek in the Past - I was seated in the middle on the first row, and had a perfect view of the road ahead. It was hot and sunny that day, so whilst we sat in the van, we had the curtains blocking out most of the sunshine, hence giving this high contrast view through the windshield. The vehicle had just turned from a well-paved asphalt road, onto a dirt track as we made our way to the Killing Fields. There were no road dividers, and you can see oncoming motorbikes and bicycles sharing the narrow path. Looking out, you can also see zinc-roofed timber houses that were a stark contrast from the brick an mortar buildings in the heart of Phnom Penh.

2. Dwell in the Present - The three of us were shaded in the comfort of the minivan and kept cool with modern day innovations such as the air-conditioner!

3. Look to the Future - It was a long journey and we were anxious to arrive at our destination. The narrowing perspective of the road also gives a feeling of the "light at the end of the tunnel".

Rift

I took this picture in 2006, whilst travelling with two friends in Cambodia. We were on our way to the Choeung Ek, better known as the Killing Fields. It was a really hot day, but I guess these Cambodian kids were used to it. I wasn't too sure what was going on, but I snap this shot from the minivan.


Thoughts about this photograph came only after I returned home to Singapore and worked on processing my huge stash of images from my trip. This picture signifies many conflicts we know of; we turn our backs to each other and cross murky barriers. Sometimes we use tools that lead to bloodshed. Aren't there better ways to resolve our differences?