Music in Different Worlds
Music has always been a part of Cambodia. The life styles were limited, among these musicians, there were the Khmer rouge, full time labor workers, and politicians. A large percentage of Cambodians were forced into poverty and underpaid jobs. Their lives were constantly troubled by daily escapes from robbers, guerrillas, and powerful armies that disagrees with the laws of the country. The Khmer rouge, former guerrillas and the most powerful army that had ever opposed the government had taken more lives than natural deaths over a decade. During times of hardships and warfare, the only escape from reality was music. He,, Samphoun Em, was only fifteen years of age when he first picked up a guitar. Knowing he had to be able to make a constant payment to afford and keep his only source of entertainment, for there are no personal rights involving one's property. After three years of full time labor, he was then able to claim and bring home his most prized possession. Keeping good care of the picks and strings he had access to, for if he had lost or broken any of the two, it would've meant more months of hard labor. Every so often after work, he would spend at least two hours to catch up on lessons and surpass his latest talent. He
None of them wanted to go, for they aren't heavy believers, they'd find every reason to be held back. Each week, songs were practiced and gigs were planned. Three days early and suffering from asthma, he reached Thailand at the same time his eldest son and wife did. Watching their faces light up as he would show off his new talent, fretting at his parents whom tried to disallow his learning. A sponsorship meant a chance to achieve his dreams but also this meant he had to leave his family. After three excuses, he didn't have time to fit his reason to stay home. It was the first attempt since the defeat of Cambodia's nearby ally, Vietnam. As they crossed the border together, surviving another charge of the Khmer rouge, he realized his family had to start a new life without the equipment and tools they had before. The wage was minimum, not expecting anymore than that, he worked with his father for the same company. They would not stop these gatherings until happiness was shown throughout the faces of each laborer during work. Yet, each musician still gathered to show off and escape from reality, knowing that if they were caught they'd receive a severe punishment, a punishment that was irrelevantly taken into consideration. On December 1st, 1984, in a Thai hospital, where his sister worked, his second eldest was born. Gathering around a circle after school sessions, his classmates would show their talents and receive applause from talent-less students who envied. By this time, he had been headed across border already.
Common topics in this essay:
Cambodians Gathering,
Samphoun Em,
Cambodia Thailand,
Angkor Wat,
Music Cambodia,
Cambodians August,
khmer rouge,
Pol Pot,
eldest son,
country khmer rouge,
country khmer,
eldest sister,
angkor wat,
left border,
brothers sisters,
leaving meant,
guerrillas powerful,
escape reality,
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Acceptance Essays
