Piseth wanted to go back to Southeast Asia to explore the roots of Cambodia's history. He grew up not knowing what actually happened, because he escaped to Thailand when he was only 10 years old.
Piseth first attempt to enter Cambodia came while he was vacationing in a Thai/Khmer border town called Aranyaprathet, in Thailand, for the weekend. He was fortunate to enter the Khmer side of the border to observe the horrible conditions first-hand. Because of Piseth’s desire to see Cambodia, Piseth risked his own life crossing the border illegally. We would like to imagine that because of Piseth good deeds, Piseth met many friendly people who were willing to smuggle him into the land called “Kam-Puchea”.
Setting foot inside this once-bountiful land, the sight and smell of the terra tore him up inside. It was like a thousand saws churning, cutting him with no sense of remorse. Dear friends! the scene of young children covered with mud and black dirt was dreadful. Their hair was grisly brown and caught the sunrays, making them appear animals condemned to eternal hell. Some lacked limbs, and others could barely walk, begging for foods along the highway connecting the small village of Poipet to Batdombang. At first glance they seemed very foreign to him, and he thought it was all a delusion. The emotional feelings were difficult to put into words. The sight of such poverty filled him with shame for Piseth’s own lifestyle in America. He was torn with disbelief and anger over the leaders who made their lives so miserable. But he felt an altruism and compassion toward these, his people.
Piseth kept asking himself whether he was actually in his own home. He stayed in Batdombang province visiting long-lost relatives for two days before coming back to Bangkok for his midterm exams. Yeah! That was Piseth first taste of Kampuchea.
On the second trip he decided to fly into Phnom Penh for the very first time. He wanted to see for himself what the capital city was like, and to conduct some business affairs. Absurd as it may sound to some readers, he decided to go in disguise as a poor local. Piseth did not want anybody to know that he was from the United States. In preparations, he packed lightly, masking the material wealth of Piseth’s western lifestyle. Then he dressed up in ragged clothes, with old krama wrapping around his neck -- as the Khmer Rouge wore after their victory in 1975 -- which he bought from a Thai thrift store. Thinking to be a good Samaritan, he bought four cases of school supplies to donate to the local school children.
The plane departed from Bangkok International Airport at 2:30 p.m. and was expected to arrive an hour later at Phnom Penh International Airport. As the plane was cruising in the open sky, the scene seemed very serene and peaceful. Half an hour after takeoff, the captain announced that the plane would be approaching Phnom Penh International shortly.
Piseth’s heart trembled in excitement to see Phnom Penh. He took a deep breath as he suddenly saw the land and city from a distance. A scene of vast land with virtually no development appeared as the plane descended from its cruising altitude. There were a few roads here and there; huts and straw houses were briefly visible as the plane circled in a holding pattern waiting for its turn to land.
Piseth’s heart beat faster and faster with mixed emotions, expecting the worst. As the plane was on final approach, he began unknowingly to shed tears. He refrained from bursting into insanity, but the appalling view in Piseth’s eyes chilled him to sympathy. Moreover, it obliged him to feel a sense of the many histories in this land once called ``Khmer Empire''. He had never felt such strong feelings of patriotism in his entire life.
Oops! he was of course in another world when one of the flight attendants gently tapped him on the back, informing him that he was the only person left on the plane. he went through the security checkpoint but suddenly ran into problems with the corrupt local police who tried to overcharge him and extort money from him. He managed to talk his way out of it and proceeded to the airport exit, but did not know where to go. Confused and a bit startled, he asked a guy on a Cyclo to show him the city before he would try to find his uncle's house. For the next five hours Piseth circled the city and began to understand its character. Piseth spent about six days touring the capital city, Phnom Penh, on foot, seeing everything from the Royal Palace to Psar Thmey, and slump dwellings.
Traveling and chatting with the local Khhimrs was the best part of Piseth’s trip. He learned a great deal about himself and his identity. The warm receptions made him feel a sense of solidarity. Meanwhile, listening to farmers in Kampong Chhnang talked about their aspirations and visions for freedom and democracy made him feel a sense of rage toward those who deprived them of these basic rights. For example, they wished they had the freedom to farm in rice fields free of harassment from the rich and powerful elites.
On another occasion, he talked with homeless young men from Svay Rieng province who slept on the pavement of the Victory Monument. He became infuriated at their helpless conditions. The young men expressed hardships due to their inability to sow crops. They had migrated to the capital city, and they told stories of starvation, survival and perseverance. Vivid tales of the human realities within the home he once shared forced him to become aware of the harsh conditions.
Dear friends! During Piseth stay in Cambodia, he often thought of how we always take things for granted here in the United States. How can we spare just a few of those luxury things for our fellow brothers and sisters? The realities of the problem appear to lie within so many complexities, yet he begins to understand some of them. The great task lies before us, the future generations.
For him the issues of Khmer are always on Piseth’s mind. The faces of hunger, the handicapped, the sick, the impoverished and the freedom fighters will always be captured in Piseth’s conscience. He left this homeland of his once again in tears. A feeling of guilt enraged him for not being able to stay and help with the process of reconstruction. Moreover, Piseth left with heartbreaking emotions, thinking of those who were once again tormented with the injustices and the slow process of reconstruction.
Piseth first attempt to enter Cambodia came while he was vacationing in a Thai/Khmer border town called Aranyaprathet, in Thailand, for the weekend. He was fortunate to enter the Khmer side of the border to observe the horrible conditions first-hand. Because of Piseth’s desire to see Cambodia, Piseth risked his own life crossing the border illegally. We would like to imagine that because of Piseth good deeds, Piseth met many friendly people who were willing to smuggle him into the land called “Kam-Puchea”.
Setting foot inside this once-bountiful land, the sight and smell of the terra tore him up inside. It was like a thousand saws churning, cutting him with no sense of remorse. Dear friends! the scene of young children covered with mud and black dirt was dreadful. Their hair was grisly brown and caught the sunrays, making them appear animals condemned to eternal hell. Some lacked limbs, and others could barely walk, begging for foods along the highway connecting the small village of Poipet to Batdombang. At first glance they seemed very foreign to him, and he thought it was all a delusion. The emotional feelings were difficult to put into words. The sight of such poverty filled him with shame for Piseth’s own lifestyle in America. He was torn with disbelief and anger over the leaders who made their lives so miserable. But he felt an altruism and compassion toward these, his people.
Piseth kept asking himself whether he was actually in his own home. He stayed in Batdombang province visiting long-lost relatives for two days before coming back to Bangkok for his midterm exams. Yeah! That was Piseth first taste of Kampuchea.
On the second trip he decided to fly into Phnom Penh for the very first time. He wanted to see for himself what the capital city was like, and to conduct some business affairs. Absurd as it may sound to some readers, he decided to go in disguise as a poor local. Piseth did not want anybody to know that he was from the United States. In preparations, he packed lightly, masking the material wealth of Piseth’s western lifestyle. Then he dressed up in ragged clothes, with old krama wrapping around his neck -- as the Khmer Rouge wore after their victory in 1975 -- which he bought from a Thai thrift store. Thinking to be a good Samaritan, he bought four cases of school supplies to donate to the local school children.
The plane departed from Bangkok International Airport at 2:30 p.m. and was expected to arrive an hour later at Phnom Penh International Airport. As the plane was cruising in the open sky, the scene seemed very serene and peaceful. Half an hour after takeoff, the captain announced that the plane would be approaching Phnom Penh International shortly.
Piseth’s heart trembled in excitement to see Phnom Penh. He took a deep breath as he suddenly saw the land and city from a distance. A scene of vast land with virtually no development appeared as the plane descended from its cruising altitude. There were a few roads here and there; huts and straw houses were briefly visible as the plane circled in a holding pattern waiting for its turn to land.
Piseth’s heart beat faster and faster with mixed emotions, expecting the worst. As the plane was on final approach, he began unknowingly to shed tears. He refrained from bursting into insanity, but the appalling view in Piseth’s eyes chilled him to sympathy. Moreover, it obliged him to feel a sense of the many histories in this land once called ``Khmer Empire''. He had never felt such strong feelings of patriotism in his entire life.
Oops! he was of course in another world when one of the flight attendants gently tapped him on the back, informing him that he was the only person left on the plane. he went through the security checkpoint but suddenly ran into problems with the corrupt local police who tried to overcharge him and extort money from him. He managed to talk his way out of it and proceeded to the airport exit, but did not know where to go. Confused and a bit startled, he asked a guy on a Cyclo to show him the city before he would try to find his uncle's house. For the next five hours Piseth circled the city and began to understand its character. Piseth spent about six days touring the capital city, Phnom Penh, on foot, seeing everything from the Royal Palace to Psar Thmey, and slump dwellings.
Traveling and chatting with the local Khhimrs was the best part of Piseth’s trip. He learned a great deal about himself and his identity. The warm receptions made him feel a sense of solidarity. Meanwhile, listening to farmers in Kampong Chhnang talked about their aspirations and visions for freedom and democracy made him feel a sense of rage toward those who deprived them of these basic rights. For example, they wished they had the freedom to farm in rice fields free of harassment from the rich and powerful elites.
On another occasion, he talked with homeless young men from Svay Rieng province who slept on the pavement of the Victory Monument. He became infuriated at their helpless conditions. The young men expressed hardships due to their inability to sow crops. They had migrated to the capital city, and they told stories of starvation, survival and perseverance. Vivid tales of the human realities within the home he once shared forced him to become aware of the harsh conditions.
Dear friends! During Piseth stay in Cambodia, he often thought of how we always take things for granted here in the United States. How can we spare just a few of those luxury things for our fellow brothers and sisters? The realities of the problem appear to lie within so many complexities, yet he begins to understand some of them. The great task lies before us, the future generations.
For him the issues of Khmer are always on Piseth’s mind. The faces of hunger, the handicapped, the sick, the impoverished and the freedom fighters will always be captured in Piseth’s conscience. He left this homeland of his once again in tears. A feeling of guilt enraged him for not being able to stay and help with the process of reconstruction. Moreover, Piseth left with heartbreaking emotions, thinking of those who were once again tormented with the injustices and the slow process of reconstruction.
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