November 2
Hello everyone!
Part of my heart will always be Asian. Specifically, the
thoughts of my year living in Korea will always bring back warm memories, but I
thoroughly enjoyed my time travelling across the eastern seaboard of the
world’s largest continent. From racing along the Great Wall of China to scaling
the monstrous Kota Kinabalu on Borneo, some of my greatest adventures have been
in the countries lapped by the Pacific Rim.
Yet there are many places which I failed to explore, simply
because of the lack of time. I
know you must be thinking that it is plain
greedy for a teacher to be asking for more
holidays, but I would have relished the prospect of backpacking my way through
the countries that I unfortunately didn’t get to during 2010 or beyond. Reading
about the impending typhoon that will wreak havoc upon the Philippines fills me
with worry but also regret that I am yet to see its beautiful beaches with my
own eyes. Similar feelings arise when I think of countries such as Indonesia
and Cambodia, which would surely enrich my life if I spent time within their
borders.
Of course, there is still plenty of time for my travel radar
to land on these places in the future. Yet there is one country in the region
that really appeals to me, to the point where I have been particularly close to
visiting on two separate occasions. I won’t pass up a chance to say ‘Good
morning’ to Vietnam a third time. Even if that means I have to find Vietnam in
the Czech Republic…
I am reliably informed that Vietnamese immigrants represent the
third largest ethnic minority in the Czech Republic. According to the 2011
census, the Vietnamese diaspora numbers an incredible 83,000. It is thus
understandable that Vietnamese cuisine can be found across the capital city.
One area that was potentially airlifted from Hanoi to the centre of Europe is a
market area known as Sapa, in the southern outskirts of the city. It is here
where I reconnected with my Asian heart.
The number of young adults of Asian origin decamping from
the local bus intimated to us that we had reached the place often dubbed
‘Little Hanoi’. Walking through a side entrance we noted signs in a variety of
languages offering flights and money exchange.
Of course, there were some subtle differences that reminded
us that we were in central Europe as opposed to Saigon. The weather was
undoubtedly one of them. I may have a utopian view of the Vietnamese climate in
my mind, but I am pretty sure that dank, glum, overcast afternoons do not
happen frequently in Vietnam.
The market itself also seemed slightly strange, more
reminiscent of a scrapyard than an actual market. It reminded me of Soviet-era
Kazakh markets, rather than the bright lights and fervour attached to the Asian
markets I have frequented. The shopping trolleys filled with the latest goods
hark back to a different era.
So what exactly were we looking for? Certainly not Christmas
trees, yet they had them in abundance. At least we know where to return to if we
decide to plump for having a fake evergreen in the apartment. Garments of all
shapes and not too many sizes, perhaps befitting the stereotypical smaller
stature of east Asians in general, could be found inside ramshackle concrete
buildings. The insistence from sellers prohibiting photographs unfortunately means
I cannot show you the best treasures from the jewellery shops, not to mention
the gigantic Confederate flag hanging at one of the edges of the rows of stalls…
The main attraction for me was the opportunity to sample
authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Though I’m sure the Vietnamese food we have
sampled in the Czech Republic so far has been legitimately indigenous, I was
looking for an Asian ‘atmosphere’ to go along with my pho. I also hadn’t yet had pho, so needed to rectify that situation
as soon as possible.
Before the food came one of the stranger drinks around –
bubble tea. For the uninitiated, bubble tea is a flavoured tea which comes with
bizarre orbs of jelly at the bottom, which can be sucked into your mouth through a comically oversized straw. The machinery used to blend the drink –
essentially attaching the drink to a metal arm which shakes it wildly for a
while – and create the thing plastic lid were particularly fascinating to
watch. As for the drink…better to order hot than cold in glum Czech weather
like this.
Pho is a Vietnamese institution. A thin soup housing
countless herbs, spices and flavours, as well as meat and noodles, it seems
perfect for a day like this – a day that, as I’ve mentioned, may not happen in
its country of origin very often. We ate in a small café-style place which
reminded me very much of living in Asia – being able to see the food prepared,
the smiles of the staff, the family nature of the whole place…and of course
other people firmly focused on slurping spoon after spoon of good food down
into their stomachs without a glance at what is around them.
The trip to Sapa Market reminded me of many happy memories
of my time in Asia. It is nice that I now live in what is very much an
international city with cuisines from all over the world to sample. All of my
senses were ignited by the surroundings of this strangest of places. The day
has made my desire to visit Vietnam, and sample more bubble tea and pho, that
much stronger. Or maybe I’ll come and reconnect later in the year by returning
here, and grabbing some Christmas decorations for the fun of it.
Love you all
Matt
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