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The day I met the wealthiest man in Cambodia
RnB/Hip Hop | Wednesday 29th January 2014 | Natasha
I have just finished watching Kendrick Lamar's Grammy performance. It gave me a familiar feeling: a sense of purpose and inspired. Music is my first love and follows me everywhere I go, so as I sit here listening to Section.80 I start reflecting on my trip this far. As Kendrick's lyrics speak to me in many ways I start to think how I have been inspired day-in and day-out. Inspiration comes in many forms and, if allowed, can uplift you to new heights not discovered before.
In my first post I mentioned 'the pursuit of happiness', a simple term filled with complex layers and directions. Now in Cambodia I find myself questioning just what truly defines my 'happiness'.
I had one of the best conversations of my life with a Cambodian man, a local man, a father that drove a tuk tuk to provide for his family. Quite obviously this man was not the richest, his shoes worn, his teeth decayed, his clothes plain, but I would later come to the realisation he was one of the most wealthiest men in Cambodia.
He turned to me mid conversation and asked, 'do you know why I'm so lucky?' Taking a sip of my drink I looked back at him and asked, 'why?' Without hesitation he stared directly at me, eyes filled with nothing but gratefulness, and gave me his answer. 'Because both of my parents are still alive.' I learnt, after visiting The Killing Fields where, unfortunately, thousands of babies, children, men and women were held, tortured and killed in unimaginable ways. This local man carried on to tell me how people of his age did not have their parents or family members anymore. He told me it was incredibly rare to still have both parents alive. 'My parents are still breathing and that is why I'm so lucky' he told us with gratitude.
For some people it's not the pursuit of happiness, or material things that define emotions, it's about appreciating what you have and, especially in this mans life, surviving and providing. I will forever remember that night and that conversation with one of the most intellectual people I've had the pleasure of meeting.
Kendrick Lamar's 'Poe Man's Dream' plays through my speakers and one lyric stands out to me. 'I know some rappers that use some big words to make their similes curve, my simplest shit be more pivotal, I penetrate the hearts of good kids and criminals.' A lyric that perfectly sums up the experience I had in conversing with this Cambodian man, because sometimes 'the simplest shit be more pivotal.'
Dedicated to the Cambodian tuk tuk driver, who's story and words will stay with me.
