DIANE SEVERYN MORRIS

CAMBODIA

CAMBODIA“YOu cAN’t clAIM HEAVEN AS YOuR OwN—

If YOu ARE juSt gOINg tO SIt uNDER It.”

DIANE SEVERYN MORRIS

copyright ©2012 Diane Severyn Morris. All rights reserved.

For Snathank you for sharing your knowledge and generous spirit...

an experience forever to be remembered.

A brief historycambodia came under Khmer rule in the year 600. The Khmers were Hindus who built a magnificent temple complex at Angkor. Buddhism was peacefully introduced in the 12th century.

Despite the incredible network of temples and a million residents, Angkor was abandoned in the mid-1400s in favor of the more secure Phnom Penh. A french naturalist rediscovered the totally overgrown area in 1860.

In 1975, the region was overtaken by a communist movement known as the Khmer Rouge. their leader, Pol Pot, ordered the massacre of between one and two million people on the “killing fields” of Cambodia. Pol Pot was ousted by Vietnamese forces in 1979. He died in 1998.

for over two decades, the Khmer Rouge abolished money, shattered families, destroyed the school system, shut down the restoration of Angkor, and prohibited all religious practices.

National democratic elections were held in 1998. Ninety percent of the cambodians cast their votes. today cambodia is a constitutional monarchy. King Sihanouk’s tasks are mainly ceremonial. the government is headed by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

“For news of the heart ask the face.”

this cambodian proverb seems timeless, as the following pages depict the faces of Siem Reap, cambodia...today...2012.

lee Morris

Diane M

orris

“cultivate a heart of love that knows no anger.”

“cultivate a heart of love that knows no anger.”

Diane Severyn Morris was born in 1944 in Massachusetts where she spent her childhood. She enjoys world travel, gardening, and tending to her grandchildren. She presently resides in Vermont,

South carolina, washington, Dc and Naples, florida.

Again, to Pete & Betsyundeniably the most resilient world travelers.

Bong Pete and Bong Betthank you.

Also to:Kim cheoun, my attentive tuk tuk driver

Mat Doyle at Heron graphicsthe team at Rc Brayshaw

and finally Lisa Morris Martin for her dedication to my cause.