Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

This is a museum of the Cambodian genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge. It is in a former high school that the Khmer Rouge turned into a prison and “interrogation” center (read torture chambers). They systematically took mug shots of prisoners before torturing them to death. Thousands of these photos are displayed here. Looking at the terror in the eyes of the people in these photos shakes the viewer to the core and reminds one of the presence of true evil in this world. This is one of the worst places I have ever entered. It actually makes me feel nauseous to think back about it while writing this. However, I strongly believe in the importance of visiting and paying respect at places like this, and in working to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.