mydentity?

"Konnichiwaaa!", "Ni hao!", "Aunyeong!"


Nope!

I've recently been reminded of the identity issue..

When travelling in foreign countries as a tourist, I and undoubtedly many others have always dealt with that same recurring question: "Where are you from?". The common answer for me personally would be "..from England". Simple as it sounds...it isn't, of course. This question more often than not leads to ongoing chats, more questions, confusion, raises debates..and so on. The answer - without question, firstly depends on my mood and naughtily (and usually), I try to wangle my way and adapt the answer to the person in question.

I know there are lots of us out there, but I realised quite some time ago that being a second generation of a country and having two national identities has a whole host of advantages and disadvantages. If you don't know me, I'm British born & bred, but 'originally Chinese' i.e. parents emigrated from Hong Kong over to the United Kingdom. Just to re-emphasise again, there are quite a few of us out there! Anyway, some of those pros and cons are submissively detailed in an example I'll go on to share with you.



Switching Identity game
This example occurred back in 2009 in the northern-most region of India: Jammu and Kashmir in India and also the neighbouring region of Himachal Pradesh. The example talks of how answering such a question reflected playing a game with the spoilt option of being able to switch identities....


a short note about those two regions...

> Jammu & Kashmir
If you have been lucky enough and have had the chance to visit, you'd also find it hard to believe that 'Ladakh' and 'Kashmir' are both umbrellaed together (with Jammu, too) under this region of "Jammu and Kashmir". It is politically known as ONE REGION in India, though the differences between those two areas of Ladakh and Kashmir are astounding. By differences, I talk of the stark differences between the land and shape itself, as well as the culture, religion, beliefs, mentality, people and cuisine.

. The East is Buddhist Ladakh which sits cosily next to Tibet; much similar to Tibet, often being referred to as the "Little Tibet". A peaceful area with soaring mountain passes and owning the highest plateaus in the region.
. The West is Islamic Kashmir which is often referred to as "Heaven on Earth", boasting beautiful green valleys, fresh pastures and rich agriculture.

What is not different between the two is that they are both wonderfully extravagant by nature and belong to the high and mighty Himalayan range. The rest can be classed either as subtle or contrastingly powerful differences. Without question, both of these areas of one region are under heavy dispute and have been for decades. I won't go into that any further...I'm sure you're able to Google that.

Photos: Left > Ladakh, Right > Kashmir





>Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh region sits below Jammu & Kashmir and is famous for a few things, but most commonly for the traveller is its area of the Dharamshala. Here in Dharamshala is McLeod Ganj which is home to not only Indians, but the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, many Tibetan refugees and His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Now I'm sure we are all well aware of the Tibetan issues that are present in this era.





a little intro - getting it right
As I travelled through each of those regions, as suspected that common question cropped up... "Where are you from?". In McLeod Ganj - home of the Tibetans, obviously and naturally I responded, "I'm from England" . Only a handful of times I was given the opportunity or, in contrary, perhaps not given any chance to expand on my answer explaining the Chinese identity I aesthetically owned. Most didn't care, however a few times, I was frowned upon. Inevitable. And expected. So I was British in McLeod Ganj. The same applied in Ladakh. The Buddhist nature accepts who you are regardless of anything, however, I wouldn't say the Chinese are the most popular of nations. I trod carefully and stuck to the "I'm from England / I'm British" - which, of course, is true.



onto politically fuelled Kashmir...
From Ladakh, we slowly moved onto Kashmir where like I mentioned earlier, there's a stark contrast in the people. The Kashmiris were really politically pumped, all with an opinion arguing the state of Kashmir - a majority of them, that is. It so happens, we chose to visit the Jama Masjid (main mosque) of Srinagar; Kashmir's capital on India's Independence Day. Little did we know what would be in store, but having been exposed to a number of protests already, this didn't surprise me too much. After hearing what seemed like small explosions, we jumped off the local bus in fury and then stumbled upon an uprising between a group of young Kashmiri's and the Indian Army; who parade the streets of Srinagar on a daily basis.

The shouting and bellowing couldn't be ignored. Within a few seconds, large rocks were being hurled in our direction. *Run, Run!!* and hide! We followed a peaceful bunch into a hidden zone (shukria, guys). There was panic, fury, and boiled Kashmiris roaming the streets fighting hard for their independence. In our hidden area, we could hear the scurrying and bellows diminish....by then adrenaline was pumping.




bugger! too late to switch
Once it was safe to exit, I let the curiosity get the better of me and was magnetised to the bundled group; some comprised of a small film and camera crew who had just finished filming. I found myself talking to an upbeat journalist working for the Kashmiri newsroom. He and his friend explained the situation to us emphasising what had happened. Very smiley, friendly and chirpy as they were, they then went on to ask that jewel of a question, "Where are you from?", "England", I smiled naturally, caught in adrenaline not being aware of my answer. Instantly, the journalist's expression dropped and eyebrows scoured, he turned his head towards his friend and sharply forced, "Let's go". And without any form of eye contact, they immediately ran off and exited. Amazed at their sudden furious departure, I figured I guess I should have been Chinese that day...



tiny summary
In summary, there is less aggravation as long as I make clear I'm from the following countries in the following areas...
* In McLeod Ganj & Ladakh: I'm from England.
* In Kashmir: I'm from China.





Strategy
After this main example and another batch to follow up, I realise that both of my overpowering country identities are either liked or disliked in one region/close-by regions, let alone one country. Over the years, I've slowly learnt that a well-thought-out-strategy, and reading into the political and historical situations are required in answering such a question particularly in such a disputed region - that is, if you really do care about the response you are going to be faced with...



On this note, going off tangent slightly..however while I was in this region I stumbled across a small handful of Tibetan Muslims. Now that's a cool contrast!