tuol sleng prison
humanity at its worst is illustrated through the horrors of tuol sleng prison. before war erupted in cambodia in 1975, this 3-story building was a high school tucked in the heart of phnom penh. the other day, with enough courage, i decided to visit the now converted touristy museum.
at first, my body felt numb as i walked through the gated fence. the place was at peace. the several dozens of tourists walked slowly from room to room, emotionless at times, and lifeless to the reality they saw as depicted through daunting black-and-white photos, murals, and other props of torture.
only 7 people survived tuol sleng when the vietnamese defeated the khmer rouge in 1979. over 17,000 perished.
my body began to cripple as i began walking through the rooms. each room had a chilling picture mounted on the wall to display the grossness of the regime's violence. also found were a bed frame and tools use to handcuff the prisoneers.
one room had the apparatus used to drown prisoneers. on the walls showed paintings by vann nath (a survivor) illustrating this and other horrendous forms of torture. my stomach began to queeze up.
building b showed images and stories of those who died at tuol sleng. i saw the famous picture of bophana, the prisoneer who secretly wrote letters to her lover. her story has been the focus of one of rithy panh's films and a book by elizabeth becker.
in the photo exhibition ghosts of tuol sleng, the photographer captures a shot of the prison and mounts a face/silhouhette of a prisoneer to create one "haunting" piece. there were a couple dozens of these photos; making my experience a bit "uneasy."
overall though, i'm glad i had the courage to come visit the place. skulls, blood stains on the floor, handcuffs, cells, weapons of tortures, and everything else you can possibly see in the face of war, only help crystalize my knowledge of studying about this dark past. a place that i sincerely recommend khmers and non-khmers to visit. however, definitely not a place for the weak stomach.
i lit some incense, paid my respects to the spirits as i walked out the entrance.
Thanks for sharing your insightful stories and feelings. I hope your stay is truly life changing and motivational. You are a wonderful, caring, dedicated, and courageous person. You are an example of the difference one person can make. Cheers to you! I'll miss you tremendously.
Your friend always, Wendy (Comment this)