I was invited to a posh gala lunch today, and I didn't have to go very far. The hotel it was held in was five doors from where I work, so I put on a tie (hate ties!!) and a suit-jacket, and walked down the street.
I really don't like posh events, but it was really impressive to see, and it's not everyday that you get invited to go inside the
most exclusive hotel in The Hague, where VIPs like (Bill) Clinton (when he was president still!) stayed.
The occasion was the 96th National Day of Taiwan (officially known as Republic of China, which I personally think is hideous and should never be used. The history and reason behind it is complicated,
so Wikipedia can probably tell it better, or at least more neutrally...), and the event was held by Taiwan's de facto embassy here in The Netherlands. So the 'ambassador' was there, as well as representatives of lots of businesses, industries, as well as a number of Dutch parliamentarians.
The 'ambassador' (technically he's not, because Taiwan and the Netherlands don't have official diplomatic relations...) gave a speech. It was the usual kind of 'prep talk', praising the economic and political achievements that Taiwan has made in recent years, and praising the good friendship between Taiwan and the Netherlands. Primarily in the IT sector, since Taiwan produces the vast majority of LCD screens, but also huge in the horticulture industry, since together both countries cultivate the most orchids in the world. Of course, the 'ambassador' touched briefly on the topic of China, which plays a big role in why almost no country in the world dares to establish official relations with Taiwan, and why
Taiwan is the only state not in the United Nations (even though it has a more efficient and democratic government, a prosperous economy and even though the people enjoy greater freedoms than much of the rest of the world...). The President himself was there... if only for a splitting second on tourism promotional video that was playing in the background on a huge 50inch flatscreen. Probably 'Made in Taiwan' too.
Then came one Dutch parliamentarian, who made a speech about how democracies should unite, and about how ridiculous China is abusing its power in the UN. He talked about that incident in the ECOSOC a few months ago ( I wrote about this too!) when China wanted to throw out pro-democracy NGO Liberal International just because the organisation advocated Taiwan's membership in the World Health Organisation. There was a silent boo in the hall. He assured everyone in the room that Taiwan has many friends in the Netherlands, including even the Foreign Minister who himself has many times supported pro-Taiwan measures in parliament, and he said that the Netherlands does care for countries and people who are free and democratic... unlike certain countries. Applause. Of course, the message could be even more effective if the Foreign Minister himself were present.
But I did see other important people... policy makers, university intellectuals (even my previous International Relations lecturer and respected foreign policy expert), and also some representatives from other embassies. In order not to create a diplomatic row, other embassies of course couldn't send anyone too 'important' to attend today's event. China's eyes and ears reach far and wide.
The food was just exquisite. In all my 23 years of eating and drinking, I've yet to come across such variety and delicacies as today! Just the main dish, there were half a dozen types of veal, fish, poultry and vegetarian dishes to choose from... not to mention the dozens of starters, salads, and other warm and cold platters, all neatly arranged before beautiful flower arrangements. The champagne and drinks kept on coming throughout the whole affair. And then there were the deserts...
chocolate ice-cream cake, hazelnut ice-cream cake, fresh raspberry tart, passion-fruit tart, even fresh tropical fruits I've not tasted in ages especially flown in from Taiwan, displayed enticingly next to hot-from-the-oven creme boulet, and plate after plate of delicious pies that are sure to give you a sugar high!
How did I, a humble (read poor) student/young professional end up there? Pure coincidence. When my mum was here, she revisited an old friend of hers, and it was this 'auntie' who suggested that I meet her outside the hotel and just 'tag along'. So for the better part of the gala, I 'tagged along', like a shy little puppy so unwillingly shown off to the world, as we woo-ed the room full of guests. The 'auntie' introduced me to one person to another, all old(er) and sophisticated members of the Taiwanese community. She was surprisingly proud of me, telling people how young I was, how talented I was (not), and how I completed my degree so quickly, and how I have such a well-respected and well-paying position at the university (...absolutely not). Embarrassing. Painful.
It's been such a long time since I last mingled with the Taiwanese community here. It seems like such a small world, where everyone knows each other, and where gossip travels even faster. Perhaps the last time I went to an event like this was more than ten years ago... and to be honest I don't really miss it. So to see all these strange faces and people I cannot even remember their names or what they do was overwhelming. But I just smiled, something I do so particularly well, and fiddled with my glass of champagne, while at the same time feeling the bubbles rush through and 'drunk' my head.
I went to get some food, and to my surprise I met someone. One look at her, and I thought I had met her before, but didn't dare to approach yet. I 'stalked' her a bit, and realised it was the very person I was thinking of, so went up to her.
Turns out, it was a classmate of mine who I've not seen for over five years! Funny. We talked, exchanged and compared notes, and realised that we've both travelled the world (a bit), but eventually still ended up studying at the same university (though at different faculties). She happens to be at the event in her capacity as the head of this society that is orientated towards international relations, and so she gets invited to these kinds of events a lot.
At the end of it all, I got my bag of free goodies, which contained all sorts of promotional materials, DVDs and CDs from Taiwan. I looked at the beautiful pictures of the lush high mountains and the deep blue sea with swimming with dolphins, and lost myself temporarily in scenes of exotic plants and wildlife, and in snapshots of people from different aborigines tribes and cultures living and working together on a little island in the Pacific... Memories of the country I came from, of the place where I was born and where I lived until six or so...
I stepped out onto the street, into the lazy Autumn sun, and saw the yellowing leaves twist and turn in the wind as they fell to the cobbled streets, and heard the clickety-clank of bicycles as men in suits cycled by. Lost in a scene of the country where I now live, and where I call home.
