This entry is disturbing and graphic, but we want to share with you as much of our experience as possible.. We had an audio guide which taught about the sight, providing us with some details as well as personal stories recorded by survivors.
After being tortured at S-21 Prison, the Khmer Rouge brought the Cambodian people 7km outside the city to be executed. Blindfolded and taken by truckloads only in the night, the Khmer Rouge lied to the innocent, tricking them by telling them they were going home so there would be no resistance from any of the them along the way. Upon arrival all names were recorded for documentation. A large tree, situated in the middle of the grounds had speakers hung from it which blasted revolutionary music of the Khmer Rouge to drown out the cries of those who were being brutally beaten to their death so the truckloads of the living had no idea of what was about to happen to them. The music also helped to hide the truth of what was happening in the grounds for it lead outsiders to believe that there was simply a party meeting being held.
The mass graves were ditches dug approximately 5 meters deep and 10 feet in diameter. The majority of those who arrived at the Killing fields were directed to kneel at the edge of these where they we beaten with cheap killing tools such as garden hoes, machetes, pieces of sugar palm tree bark with razor sharp edges, and bamboo sticks. Their thraots were slit to silence their cries, then they were beaten until they fell into the ditch, either being knocked unconscious or dead, meaning many were buried alive. They couldn't kill them through a quick bullet because they were too expensive. Among the dozens of ditches, the most horrifying was the large "killing tree" that was used to kill babies as they were held by their legs and beaten against the tree. There are photos,taken by the Vietnamese when they invaded, of brains, hair and teeth embedded in the bark of the tree. We looked down to notice there are still children's teeth that have surfaced around the base of the tree. Beside the tree was a square pit where the remains of 166 naked women were discovered with their babies near to them. These women were stripped naked, raped, beat to death then tossed into the pit. Their dead babies were also thrown in with them. Why did they kill the children? Whenever the Khmer Rouge captured, tortured and killed anyone, they would kill their entire family as well so that "there is no one left in the future looking for revenge." The Khmer Rouge used this infamous quote, "pull up the grass, dig up the roots," as part of their movement.
Bone fragments, teeth, and scraps of clothing still scatter the grounds. When you look down, it is not something you have to look hard for to see.. they clearly lay in the dirt.
As we walked the grounds and listened to the audio stories, I wanted to cry but did not. Instead I was sick to my stomach. There were times I had to completely stop and sit, yes, to try wrap my head around what I was seeing and hearing, but also to try hold down the puke. The final stop in the tour was a memorial stupa (both buddist and muslim inspired) which houses 17 levels of skulls, and bones that were excavated during investigation. In that moment of looking up at each levels full of human remains, I couldn't handle it and broke down to tears. How does this happen? Why does this happen? Why them? Why? Questions that won't ever be answered.
Over 9,000 victims have been found at the Choeung Ek Killing Fields and many remains still surface every rainy season. They known more bodies lie within the grounds but they have stopped searching for them. They want to let them rest at peace in respect to what they went through.
Something unspeakably sad, and painful to see, yet important to be aware, educated and learn. Important to be there and feel whatever is was that each of us were feeling.
If this world is this horribly sick and twisted, it also means that oppositely, this world is this unbelievably great. It is explained in the science by The Law of Opposites. It states that every out must have an in, every in an out, every left must have a right, every right a left, in order to be so judged. In the balance, every low swing must have a high swing, and vicversa. Every force must have an equal but opposite.
We have to show gratitude and remember those who suffered something we can't even comprehend. Some lost their lives, their parents, their children, their relatives, their friends, for the sake of mankind knowing happiness. God bless their souls.
