First, I rode the public bus home three evenings this week and each time I was the only "whitey" on the bus. Once it was standing room only, the other two times I secured a seat for the ride. Most bus riders scan the crowd as they find a seat or hook their hand through a grip when it's standing room only. They either pause when seeing me, or return to me after scanning the crowd. Some choose to watch me for quite a good bit of time. If I'm wearing my face mask for the pollution--the stare factor usually increases. I wonder what they are thinking or wondering about me. Their looks don't make me at all uncomfortable, just curious--as I suppose they are about me.
Last night I went out with coworkers after work for food and drink. We were a table of Americans--five females, one male. Most other patrons in the establishment were Mongolian, though there were a few other Westerners present. Mongolian children seem most fascinated by us--either our looks or perhaps listening to us speak in English. At the next table there were two children--one was approximately nine years old, the other a toddler. Both watched our group--the toddler often standing and staring. Children lack the filter to think or believe that staring is not nice. We smile and say hello. The children here are so cute!
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| View from my library on a clear day, compare to last post |
As these instances came and went, I reflected on what it's like to live in a place where I stand out because of my physical looks. In the U.S. I am about as average or ordinary looking as one can get--brown hair, brown eyes, an inch taller than average height for females, and also average in size. In the U.S. I did not stand out in a crowd. Here, it's the opposite--I most often do stand out in a crowd. This does not make me feel uncomfortable or strange--I rather like the experience of standing out. I chuckle as I remember all the things I did when I was in high school to try and be different. Wearing colorful or quirky clothes, wearing all black--including black lipstick (before the term Goth was coined), getting a tattoo at age 17, joining the Army when I was a junior, and so forth and so on. Yes, I've spent a great bit of my life trying to stand out and be different--perhaps because my features were so ordinary.
I never could have imagined that in my future life I would move to a nation where my being white would be the first and primary reason to stand out and be different. But it's true--as they say on Sesame Street, "one of these is not like the others." As the tourists have left UB/Mongolia, there are less of us foreigners around and we do stand out. I especially like being out in public with Zorig and watching people notice us together. While it is becoming more common (I know a number of couples), it is yet UNCOMMON to see foreign women with Mongolian men. We shall enjoy being a rarity while it lasts.
Finally, I've decided to make a game of how many U.S. states I can find in UB (as names of establishments/places). Here are snapshots of California and Nevada. I've seen a couple of others--but no pics yet. As of now, that's two states off the list, 48 to go. I do not expect to find them all, but it is interesting to consider where and when a Mongolian visited the U.S., then returned to Mongolia and decided to name their place of business after a U.S. state. California is restaurant/bar and there are a few of them around UB. Word is they are modeling their business after the Cheesecake Factory. They do have a stellar presentation of their entrees. Nevada Lounge I spotted on my walk to the U.S. Embassy. I did not visit so can't speak for what kind of establishment it is; however it was funny to see palm trees on one of their signs as I walked in -20 F weather. Made me giggle.
Another good, thoughtful post. Thank you for sharing!
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