I knew Mongolia as soon as I was old enough to carry the ID of my uncle or aunt to the video stores and rented Chinese costume dramas. These made-in-Hong Kong films were the primary sources of entertainment for many Vietnamese of my generation. I skipped extra lessons, spent many sleepless nights, endured the wrath of my father to follow the romance and adventure of my favorite characters.
“Here looking at you kid,” said Humphrey Bogart to Ingrid Bergman in what was considered an all-time famous quote in the Hollywood classic “Casablanca.”
Ulan-Ude was no romantic Casablanca where Bogart’s character had a toast with his flame Bergman before letting her run off with her husband. Instead, it was a gray, noisy, crowded, ugly city in Siberia, and yet I felt the same effect seeing Lenin’s penchant eyes looking over the city, looking at me.
Siberia at last. Traveling to Siberia has occupied my mind in the last few years, but the name itself has struck a strange note ever since I was a child who was in awe of its vast snowy landscape and lonely Russian soldiers, peasants and convicts. At time, Siberia seemed forbidden and far away and being there was unthinkable, hence it took some time to comprehend that I would soon come to a part of my dream.
The border of Europe and Asia lies along the Ural mountains, dividing Russia into two continents. I have always considered Russia to be Europe as all Russians I know are Caucasians and so are the Russians I have seen on the news. Russia has played a key role in shaping European history and politics in the last century. Russia has participated in all major cultural European events. Blame it on Lonely Planet and all guide books which classify Russia as Eastern Europe. However, when I talked to many Russians, I often heard the phrase “going to Europe.” “But you’re in Europe,” I said. “No, we are not,” they replied. Perhaps Russians see Europe not only on geographical term but also on political and economical level. For them, I think, Europe means the European Union.
My name is Cindy, also rhymes with travel junkie. A friend said I was probably a gipsy in my previous life. One of my many secret missions in life is to convert you to run off every once in awhile.
