I am facing writer’s block.
The calendar says, “October 1st, 2010”. Nicely digital (one and zero when dated as 10.01.10).
Aside from that, I don’t see what’s special about this Friday (it’s not the 13th).
Until I remember in Hanoi, the 1000th year celebration is just under way, and will last for 10 days.
http://sify.com/news/vietnam-capital-hanoi-turns-millennium-old-news-international-kkbuuciffae.html
People gathered around the lake (central to the city) to watch Mr Turtle emerge from the water.
Symbolic and iconic.
The passage of time.
Lots of memories, some painful, for many: bombing, flooding, traffic on the streets and tai chi in the park.
I managed to get CELTA certification (Cambridge English teaching course) there ( I spent 4 weeks holding up in a hotel room near the Catholic church.)
I did not need an alarm clock to get to class on time.
People were friendly.
And it was really cold one night, when I came down with a flu.
On weekends, I visited museums, trying to take in a sense of place.
I saw the passage of time, the names of graduates inscribed at Van Mieu.
They must have done their villages proud.
And on this day which marks the city’s thousandth birthday, I must admit, there are enduring values to something that stands despite many ups and downs.
For the next ten days, many journalists will storm the city, trying to capture the mood and manifestation of people, place and parties.
I know who is missing : Jane Fonda and Senator McCain.
The two figures stood out as legacy of the conflict, each on the opposite end of the political spectrum.
Both were there in the city (one longer than the other).
After almost 4 decades, we all become more mature, and look at life from both sides (now). Many have moved on and most don’t want to see the same mistake repeated.
One person’s celebration is another person’s reflection. I say “Happy Birthday” on this day to a city which once used to be endearing to my parents’ generation.
That generation sent me to French school, Vietnamese school, then English school. That city is now learning to speak many languages, least of which
the language of international commerce i.e. scratch my back, I will scratch yours.
Thang Nguyen 555 