Rather than return to the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum for a second time, I camped out at a cafe while Andrew went across the street to see what he declared to be “the most horrible thing he could have seen.” I read “First They Killed My Father”during my travels, and I highly recommend it, however, it’s simply not one of those books you need to read again, like seeing The Killing Fields, where a large number of Cambodians were killed or the former high-school that was used as Security Prison 21 (S 21) during the Khmer Rouge reign. Tuk-tuk drivers asked over and over again, “You want to see Killing Fields?” and over and over again, I would respond “No! No, I don’t want to see that at all!”
Instead, I hung out at the Boddhi Tree UMMA Cafe. The food wasn’t so great, but the lime-aid drinks, and relaxed atmosphere were superb. Before Andrew went over to S 21, our computers were overtaken by a brother and sister bored with their vending duties. It is not uncommon to see children hawking goods more than adults in Cambodia. It’s not the most pleasant experience, and the practice frustrates me. Even if I want to help the child out, I don’t want to condone the practice by buying anything. It’s always awkward, the feelings that rise up when an adorable 8-13 year old comes up to you. Generally, I will have a short conversation with the poor child slugging around a boxful of illegally copied books, or an armful of bracelets, but I inevitably apologize and tell him or her that I will not be buying anything. They are (usually) better natured and less aggressive than adult vendors who simply don’t. give. up.
(Homegirl amused herself and edited this on my phone before I told her I had to get back to work)
On this particular day, Kon immediately spotted the Facebook tab (not even an open window) on Andrew’s computer, and quickly weaseled his way not only onto Andrew’s computer, but into his Facebook account, and sent himself a friend request. Then he got to work editing a photo of me. Meanwhile, Kon’s little sister came around to my side of the table, asked for an earbud and listened as I edited a video from Vietnam. When we finally shooed them away they camped out at another table playing with an Englishman’s smartphone until his wife and friends met up with him and then bought loads of trinkets from them.
(Kon’s photo editing skills for your viewing pleasure)
That evening, Andrew’s phone buzzed and Kon “accepted” Andrew’s “friend request.” This made us wonder exactly where he was getting online? Does his family have a computer at home, yet they still send him and his sister out after school to sell trinkets to tourists?
p.s. Neither of us were very pleased with how expensive Phnom Penh is. Compared to prices four years ago, it’s astronomical now! $15.63 didn’t get us breakfast, and we split every meal we had simply because after paying $2.00 for meals in Vietnam we had such a hard time spending so much more in the neighboring, less developed country!
