3/1/2009 Kampong Luung to Kampong Chnang 60 kms

This was a beautiful ride somewhat tainted by an increase in the pain in my hip that made the last 15kms very uncomfortable. It was however great to see many of the group that had been previously bed bound with sickness back on their bikes. That afternoon the group visited another NGO GERES (spelling) who are working on sustainable and efficient wood burning stoves to try and reduce the impact on Cambodia's forests and offset carbon footprints of companies. This sounded like a very interesting project that I was unfortunately in no state of mind to join. It was a night around the table of story telling as Rity told us his family's experience of the Khmer Rouge - interesting in that many Cambodian families do not openly talk about this part of their lives and there seems to be a sense of if you don't talk about it it will go away and so will the pain. we quizzed him about the role this period in history plays in the education system and I am sorry to say that it is minimal. The wounds are raw and justice and forgiveness and far from being found.