Cambodia 2011 Peace Project Event (Part1 The Story)

PREVI HEAR JOURNAL 2011 ! The Peace Project
PREVI HEAR JOURNAL 2011 ! The Peace Project
has been been achieved. He
has already transported
the wood up the mountain
and assembled the easels
with hammer, nails and
saws. There are three
easels. Before he came I had
visited Siem Reap and had
them measured and cut so
that they could be quickly
assembled in a day up here.
The look on his face says,
“It went well.”
Another four hours
later, we are searching
for archive footage on
the Khmer conflict from
February to insert into the
film as well. We look at the
necessity of buying three
cartouches of cigarettes for
soldiers and the protocols
of bribery or gifts. The list
involves getting umbrellas
and turpentine. We need
to look at either renting
motorcycles or trucks and
also building a clapperboard.
It has begun!
The day ends by going
out and seeking a small
restaurant in the centre of
Sra’Aem. The town is small
by any standards. I keep
asking how many people
live here but they just shrug
their shoulders.
‘Nobody knows,’ I think,
judging by the number of
shops and restaurants,
‘Maybe a thousand people
live here.”
“Sok San” is the Chic
Restaurant and hotel at the
end of the town. By Phnom
Penh standards it’s a dump,
but here it’s luxury, par
excellence. It caters for the
military, that’s all. There
are lines shops built with
lean-to timber. I’m looking
at everything as we cruise
down the street. Its a good
feeling. The stars are out.
The wind is in my face and
I’m on the back of a motor
tuk, driving into the night.
‘Everything is on stilts
and the roads are propped
up fifteen feet from the
ground level. I guess
it must rain a lot here,
but November is not the
month! There made of
teak,’ I think, ‘and the
shops are filled
with Army disposal
camouflage jackets, flick
knives, T Shirts that say
“LOCK AND LOAD.”
Kalashnikovs, Colt Fortfives
for sale and
Zippo lighters. Rambo
this and Rambo that!
Everything is either black
or foliage green or dark
mahogany brown. That’s
the color palette. ‘
-----------------------
DAY TWO
Friday,
11th of
November
2011 Sra
‘Aem
I wake up to the
sound of birds
warbling. Are they
red robins, starlings
or Birds of paradise?
I’m not so certain as to
where I am or where
the birds are coming
from. It’s early and
there is a grey sky
with purples ripples
streaming through
the blinds. I look over
the sheets. Mao is
sleeping next me or
rather did. Last night
was our first night
together. So Pert, the
art assistant is in the
bed next to us. Across
the passage are Sambo