12 January, 2018 – Siem Reap, Cambodia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I open the door to my balcony at roughly 6am and am greeted by a surprisingly cool air for what I\u2019ve come to know over the last week as a typically hot and humid Siem Reap. The sounds of roosters in the distance and a tingling of nearby music mingle into my ears as I wipe my eyes open to a new day. The music resonates and I listen for several minutes even though I\u2019m already running late. It\u2019s a light clanging of rhythmic bells and a soothing chant that is almost omnipresent. There is no telling from what direction it comes because it is simply everywhere. Not obtrusive nor annoying as a neighbor\u2019s music can sometimes be. It is, for me, a melodic piece of peace.<\/p>\n Later in the morning over coffee I play the short clip I recorded for Gemma Marshall, GoPhil\u2019s Regional Development Manager. Knowledgable after her 3+ years of living in Siem Reap, she tells me that it is the music of mourning. Someone has died and this could be the first day of remembrance, though it is not uncommon for people to also arrange a funeral ceremony 100 days after the death of parents, children or relatives.<\/p>\n A bit of time later into the day after visits to two GoPhil programs, we stop by The Victoria Hotel for a quick glimpse of a photo exhibition – a professional photographer\u2019s images of war-ridden Cambodia have been paired with the commentary that teenagers of today, post Khmer Rouge, feel as they look at the images of times past. The captions for each photo embody a young perspective that is emotionally confusing for both them, as the new generation of Cambodia, and for the stranger (me) reading their powerfully poetic words. The captions tear away my eyes and I am overcome with emotion.<\/p>\n
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