JONO ... When the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia, they were intent on erasing the country's history ... adults were being killed off, and kids were being brainwashed into believing they were better off without there families.
Now the history is so much a part of everyday life that it is inescapable ... there are many amputees and blind as a result of land mines or torture; there are many kids whose parents can't look after them because of war related illness.
There is almost a pendulum swing away from the Khmer Rouge ideology ... there is evident a deep effection that parents have for their kids ... a strong bond of family.
When we have spent some time talking to people here, we start to get a picture that underneath is a deep hurt that is impossible for us to comprehend. Not knowing the wereabouts of family members (although they are presumed dead); seeing the torture and deaths of friends; being displaced from family land.
It is hard to understand but through the adversity of the past, people often seem very content with their lives now and they are moving on.
On a slightly different note; yesterday we were talking to the waiter at a resturant across from our hotel. About 25 years old, he works 7 days a week, sleeps at the restaurant for security overnight, and gets 2 weeks off a year when he goes back home to visit his family ... He seems really happy and was always eager to help. We forget how fortunate we are to get 2 days a week and 4 weeks off...
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