Where in the world is Rachel?

I stopped in the city for the day and ventured out to the Choeung Ek Genocide Center, a museum to consecrate the 3 million lives slaughtered under Pol Pot and his Communist Khmer Rouge regime in 1975-1979. The memorial itself is at the site where the Killing Fields once were, so as you can imagine, it's quite overwhelming to know you're standing right beside the actual mass graves. There was no need for fancy exhibits...the remaining evidence spoke volumes on its own.

I also visited the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which was the former prison used by the Khmer Rouge for the interrogation and extermination of those who opposed them...and not just Cambodians, or just adults. The photos and artifacts left behind were shocking. (Some displays I couldn't even look at, so those of you with weak stomachs can still handle the photos.) Sorry for the not-so-cheerful entry today, but I think it's something everyone should know about.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/thetravelingdancer/album/576460762392078235#page1

Well, I had finally had to flee the country, but not for the same reasons you may be thinking (don’t worry Dad, I haven’t had to use your get-out-of-jail-free connection yet). I needed to renew my Thai visa and therefore had the perfect excuse to pop on over to Cambodia for 5 days…where my name has been replaced with “lady!” by all the locals (and yes, the exclamation mark is intentional). Not only did I simply enjoy escaping the city smog of Bangkok, but relished the opportunity to visit another one of the Seven Wonders of the World…Angkor Wat. Just when you thought I had photographed enough temple ruins, I found more to dramatically increase my photo developing expenses when I return home. Mmm, pretty spectacular though…kinda worth it. I spent 2 full days traveling around Siem Reap with my Cambodian guide on his motorbike, and it was worth every ounce of sweat you’ll see in the photos.

Some of my favorite moments...my tuk-tuk (similar to a rickshaw) driver crashing into a bicycle just after my arrival, my guide burping loudly during meals, the massive hoards of Koreans in front of my camera at all times, the little boy suckering me into buying his postcards by knowing the capital of Oregon (when many Americans couldn't even point to the state on a map), and of course...the monk flirting with me at Angkor Wat. They're all too good, I can't decide.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/thetravelingdancer/album/576460762392078235#page1