Hi blog readers,
Having gone through most of the major temples in around the Siem Reap area, the group had a bit of a different focus this morning. First off today, the group went to the Artisans in Angkor art centre. There the kids had a guided tour of the various artists workshops where there was wood and stonework in addition to traditional paintings. There were some amazing works of art seen being put together and the students got a sense of the time and effort it takes to complete one of the paintings or sculptures. Due to the amazing works of art on display, many in our group were lured to make small purchases in the gift shop.
After the art centre, the group moved onto visiting the war museum. Here the group was confronted with many artifacts from the Khmer Rouge era in Cambodia
. Our guides having been front line soldiers from the civil war, reminded us of the grim realities of war, that there are no winners, only losers. They had both lost limbs to land mines and showed the students the museum’s disturbing collection of ordinances of war and pictures of the devastation that the war brought to the citizens of Cambodia. Most striking was their personal stories of how they were coerced into joining the combat forces at an age similar to the ages of our students at the threat of their families being killed. They described the horrors of war and the emotions that comes with being told to end he lives of another person, it some cases, people they knew. The students were reminded about the privileges of peace that they’ve taken for granted and how chaotic war can really be.
We’re back for a brief break at the hotel before our biking adventures this afternoon.
Was it fun?
Of course it was fun Stephane.