I studied the Cambodian genocide briefly in college. After I graduated in 2008, I moved to China. I visited Cambodia on holiday in the January of 2009 just on curiosity. I spent 2 days absorbing the night life and vibrancy of Phnom Pehn before I visited in Killing Fields and S-21. NOTHING could have prepared me for this. It was a very powerful and emotionally draining day. I simply can not put it into words. All I could do was return to my guesthouse, order a beer, and sit in silence for a few hours. What impressed me the most about some (not all) Cambodians was their openness about the genocide that happened in their country. They told me gut-wrenching stories of what happened to themselves or their relatives, all in hopes that what they experienced would be known well beyond their little corner of the earth. I had a wonderful time in Cambodia and I hope to return one day. Anyone who visits this magnificent country must pay a visit to the Killing Fields and S-21 to pay homage to those brave people who both lost their lives and survived those terrible places. I can guarantee you that it will stick with you for the rest of your life. However, comparing Cambodia's past with its present and future, truly gives one hope that even with all of the evil in the world, we all can all hope for a brighter future.