Transcript|NNP of|IN Interview|NNP with|IN Nathan|NNP Hole|NNP Do|VBP you|PRP identify|VBP with|IN a|DT certain|JJ group|NN of|IN people|NNS ?|. 
Who|WP are|VBP you|PRP ?|. 
That|DT 's|VBZ a|DT scary|JJ question|NN .|. 
As|IN for|IN the|DT first|JJ ,|, not|RB specifically|RB I|PRP identify|VBP myself|PRP as|IN being|VBG in|IN between|IN group|NN of|IN people|NNS ,|, kind|NN of|IN like|IN being|VBG one|CD foot|NN in|IN each|DT water|NN ,|, or|CC like|IN linked|VBN to|TO different|JJ groups|NNS .|. 
And|CC which|WDT groups|NNS are|VBP those|DT ?|. 
Well|RB you|PRP would|MD need|VB to|TO define|VB group|NN .|. 
Well|RB lets|VBZ say|VBP culture|NN .|. 
What|WP cultures|NNS do|VBP you|PRP identify|VBP with|IN and|CC why|WRB ?|. 
Cultural|JJ groups|NNS being|VBG European|JJ not|RB French|JJ because|IN both|DT of|IN my|PRP$ parents|NNS arent|NN french|JJ with|IN a|DT certain|JJ warmth|NN towards|IN American|NNP and|CC Russian|NNP Culture|NNP 
the|DT warmth|NN could|MD be|VB described|VBN as|IN family|NN attachement|NN .|. 
But|CC not|RB in|IN the|DT cultural|JJ sense|NN as|IN in|IN you|PRP feel|VBP national|JJ pride|NN 
Do|VBP feel|VBP a|DT national|JJ attachement|NN to|TO american|NN or|CC Russia|NNP ?|. 
As|IN in|IN political|JJ movements|NNS ,|, traditions|NNS etc.|NN 
Probably|RB because|IN these|DT are|VBP two|CD cultures|NNS representative|NN of|IN my|PRP$ childhood|NN ,|, the|DT mother|NN and|CC father|NN figure|NN well|RB ,|, childhood|NN memories|NNS ,|, passport|NN .|. 
What|WP aspects|NNS exactly|RB do|VBP you|PRP identify|VBP with|IN each|DT culture|NN /|NN country|NN ?|. 
Transmission|NNP of|IN tradition|NN 
The|DT cultural|JJ backround|NN of|IN Europe|NNP the|DT passion|NN and|CC emotionnal|NN side|NN to|TO Russia|NNP like|IN my|PRP$ soul|NN feels|VBZ Russian|JJ I|PRP feel|VBP European|JJ with|IN a|DT zest|NN of|IN Americanism|NNP .|. 
How|WRB exactly|RB do|VBP you|PRP define|VB that|DT emotion|NN and|CC passion|NN ?|. 
So|RB how|WRB do|VBP you|PRP define|VB yourself|PRP as|IN being|VBG a|DT citizen|NN of|IN the|DT world|NN ,|, free|JJ spirited|JJ and|CC universal|JJ .|. 
What|WP exactly|RB is|VBZ a|DT citizen|NN of|IN the|DT world|NN ?|. 
How|WRB do|VBP you|PRP define|VB that|DT ?|. 
Someone|NN who|WP has|VBZ been|VBN raised|VBN with|IN multiple|JJ nationals|NNS and|CC that|DT adopts|VBZ a|DT more|RBR international|JJ perspective|NN .|. 
Someone|NN who|WP does|VBZ not|RB have|VB strong|JJ nationalist|JJ pride|NN And|CC feels|VBZ more|RBR connected|JJ to|TO people|NNS in|IN general|NN .|. 
And|CC so|RB in|IN your|PRP$ opinion|NN do|VBP you|PRP believe|VBP that|IN being|VBG from|IN two|CD different|JJ backgrouns|NNS has|VBZ helped|VBN you|PRP achieve|VBP this|DT ...|... identity|NN ?|. 
Well|RB not|RB only|RB being|VBG from|IN two|CD different|JJ backgrounds|NNS but|CC being|VBG born|VBN in|IN a|DT third|JJ one|CD .|. 
My|PRP$ father|NN is|VBZ American|NNP ,|, My|PRP$ mom|NN is|VBZ Russian|JJ But|CC I|PRP was|VBD born|VBN in|IN France|NNP .|. 
How|WRB did|VBD those|DT two|CD happen|VB to|TO reside|VB in|IN France|NNP 
Circumstances|NNP .|. 
Allright|NNP I|PRP 'll|MD say|VB it|PRP .|. 
Yes|UH ,|, please|VB .|. 
My|PRP$ mom|NN after|IN living|VBG in|IN Russia|NNP at|IN that|DT time|NN USSR|NNP moved|VBD to|TO Germany|NNP with|IN her|PRP$ family|NN finishing|VBG her|PRP$ high|JJ school|NN .|. 
When|WRB she|PRP was|VBD around|IN 18|CD -|: 19|CD ,|, she|PRP decided|VBD to|TO move|VB to|TO Paris|NNP not|RB liking|VBG life|NN in|IN Germany|NNP .|. 
At|IN that|DT time|NN ,|, my|PRP$ father|NN was|VBD working|VBG closely|RB on|IN projects|NNS regarding|VBG the|DT construction|NN of|IN oil|NN pipelines|NNS in|IN the|DT Caucasus|NNP and|CC flew|VBD constantly|RB to|TO Russia|NNP Being|VBG between|IN the|DT US|NNP and|CC Russia|NNP ,|, he|PRP needed|VBD to|TO stay|VB somewhere|RB in|IN between|IN and|CC decided|VBD to|TO live|VB in|IN Paris|NNP 
They|PRP met|VBD randomly|RB in|IN Monaco|NNP at|IN that|DT time|NN and|CC decided|VBD to|TO stay|VB in|IN France|NNP .|. 
Before|IN I|PRP was|VBD born|VBN ,|, they|PRP would|MD constantly|RB travel|VB to|TO Russia|NNP and|CC New|NNP York|NNP .|. 
Do|VBP you|PRP know|VBP what|WP language|NN they|PRP spoke|VBD together|RB ?|. 
Did|VBD your|PRP$ father|NN speak|VB Russian|JJ ?|. 
English|JJ /|NN Russian|JJ 
So|RB ,|, yes|UH it|PRP would|MD depend|VB on|IN circumstances|NNS .|. 
My|PRP$ dad|NN spoke|VBD russian|NN since|IN he|PRP was|VBD a|DT kid|NN ,|, having|VBG a|DT Russian|NNP Nanny|NNP .|. 
Did|VBD he|PRP speak|VBP any|DT other|JJ languages|NNS ?|. 
English|NNP ,|, French|JJ ,|, Chinese|JJ fluently|RB and|CC a|DT couple|NN more|RBR .|. 
My|PRP$ father|NN was|VBD born|VBN and|CC raised|VBN in|IN China|NNP till|IN age|NN 13|CD .|. 
Can|MD you|PRP tell|VB me|PRP about|IN your|PRP$ father|NN ?|. 
So|RB ...|... The|DT reason|NN I|PRP consider|VBP myself|PRP citizen|NN of|IN the|DT world|NN is|VBZ because|IN I|PRP come|VBP from|IN a|DT family|NN that|WDT has|VBZ moved|VBN every|DT generation|NN .|. 
My|PRP$ father|NN was|VBD born|VBN and|CC raised|VBN in|IN China|NNP ,|, his|PRP$ family|NN being|VBG American|NNP ,|, originally|RB from|IN New|NNP York|NNP .|. 
However|RB with|IN the|DT war|NN with|IN the|DT Japanese|JJ and|CC the|DT advent|NN of|IN Mao|NNP Tse|NNP Tung|NNP rise|NN ,|, all|DT of|IN their|PRP$ wealth|NN was|VBD confiscated|VBN by|IN the|DT state|NN and|CC they|PRP were|VBD encouraged|VBN to|TO leave|VB .|. 
My|PRP$ father|NN then|RB took|VBD a|DT boat|NN to|TO the|DT US|NNP where|WRB he|PRP pursued|VBD high|JJ school|NN and|CC college|NN .|. 
My|PRP$ mother|NN was|VBD born|VBN and|CC raised|VBN in|IN Russia|NNP with|IN German|JJ origins|NNS .|. Germans|NNS migrated|JJ to|TO Russia|NNP in|IN the|DT 19th|JJ Century|NNP because|IN the|DT Queen|NNP at|IN that|DT time|NN needed|VBD skillful|JJ workers|NNS for|IN her|PRP$ ambitious|JJ tastes|NNS .|. 
She|PRP lived|VBD on|IN the|DT border|NN of|IN the|DT Oural|NNP ,|, the|DT mountains|NNS ,|, which|WDT bring|VBP to|TO Siberia|NNP ,|, in|IN the|DT artic|JJ circle|NN .|. 
She|PRP then|RB moved|VBD to|TO Germany|NNP with|IN her|PRP$ family|NN 
It|PRP seems|VBZ that|IN I|PRP am|VBP continuing|VBG that|DT family|NN trend|NN of|IN hours|NNS of|IN moving|VBG abroad|RB .|. 
After|IN all|DT I|PRP was|VBD born|VBN and|CC raised|VBN in|IN France|NNP but|CC recently|RB moved|VBD to|TO New|NNP York|NNP .|. 
Although|IN part|NN of|IN my|PRP$ roots|NNS reside|VB here|RB ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ still|RB life|NN changing|NN .|. 
When|WRB I|PRP was|VBD little|JJ ,|, I|PRP always|RB had|VBD the|DT feeling|NN I|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN as|IN everyone|NN else|RB because|IN I|PRP never|RB spoke|VBD French|JJ at|IN home|NN .|. 
I|PRP would|MD speak|VB Russian|JJ and|CC English|NNP at|IN home|NN with|IN both|DT my|PRP$ mom|NN and|CC dad|NN While|IN using|VBG French|JJ at|IN school|NN .|. 
Now|RB most|JJS of|IN the|DT kids|NNS I|PRP was|VBD friends|NNS with|IN have|VBP double|JJ nationalities|NNS or|CC are|VBP pluricultural|NN .|. 
Do|VBP you|PRP remember|VBP feeling|NN different|JJ as|IN a|DT child|NN because|IN of|IN this|DT ?|. 
This|DT progressively|RB forged|VBN me|PRP into|IN having|VBG this|DT idea|NN that|IN I|PRP have|VBP nothing|NN in|IN me|PRP that|WDT is|VBZ French|JJ but|CC my|PRP$ roots|NNS lie|VBP in|IN Europe|NNP .|. 
I|PRP think|VBP my|PRP$ generation|NN is|VBZ one|CD of|IN the|DT first|JJ of|IN our|PRP$ time|NN to|TO have|VB a|DT European|JJ sentiment|NN ,|, feeling|NN like|IN they|PRP are|VBP part|NN of|IN a|DT European|JJ culture|NN .|. 
Of|IN course|NN I|PRP 'm|VBP not|RB saying|VBG that|IN the|DT majority|NN of|IN my|PRP$ generation|NN feels|VBZ that|DT way|NN ,|, we|PRP are|VBP a|DT minority|NN but|CC ,|, the|DT whole|JJ feeling|NN isn|NN ’|NN t|NN merely|RB avant|NN garde|NN anymore|RB ,|, Its|PRP$ foundation|NN is|VBZ solid|JJ and|CC expanding|VBG 
This|DT feeling|NN of|IN being|VBG pluricultural|NN is|VBZ hard|JJ to|TO digest|VB during|IN your|PRP$ teenage|JJ years|NNS .|. 
You|PRP feel|VBP like|IN being|VBG inadequate|JJ ,|, not|RB part|VB of|IN everything|NN but|CC the|DT more|JJR you|PRP grow|VBP and|CC gain|VB in|IN maturity|NN ,|, the|DT stronger|JJR those|DT foundations|NNS which|WDT gives|VBZ you|PRP global|JJ perspective|NN ,|, great|JJ asset|NN in|IN our|PRP$ times|NNS 
Furthermore|RB ,|, having|VBG a|DT more|JJR of|IN a|DT global|JJ cultural|JJ identity|NN has|VBZ prompt|VB me|PRP to|TO travel|VB a|DT lot|NN and|CC discover|VB other|JJ cultures|NNS which|WDT in|IN time|NN strengthens|VBZ the|DT feeling|NN of|IN being|VBG part|NN of|IN humanity|NN as|IN a|DT whole|NN .|. 
To|TO understand|VB that|DT right|NN and|CC wrong|NN can|MD be|VB a|DT cultural|JJ ,|, social|JJ or|CC religious|JJ view|NN .|. 
In|IN the|DT end|NN it|PRP all|DT depends|VBZ from|IN which|WDT angle|NN you|PRP perceive|VBP the|DT subject|NN from|IN 
What|WP do|VBP you|PRP think|VBP has|VBZ made|VBN it|PRP expand|VBP ?|. 
Globalization|NNP ?|. 
So|RB during|IN your|PRP$ childhood|NN do|VBP you|PRP have|VBP any|DT memories|NNS of|IN your|PRP$ first|JJ language|NN ?|. 
Which|WDT one|CD was|VBD first|JJ ?|. 
Tricky|NNP question|NN .|. 
I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN have|VBP any|DT memory|NN whatsoever|RB of|IN what|WP my|PRP$ first|JJ language|NN was|VBD .|. 
My|PRP$ dad|NN always|RB spoke|VBD to|TO me|PRP in|IN English|NNP .|. 
My|PRP$ mom|NN always|RB spoke|VBD to|TO me|PRP in|IN Russian|JJ .|. 
Had|VBD both|DT Russian|JJ and|CC American|JJ nannies|NNS .|. 
And|CC to|TO keep|VB the|DT language|NN going|VBG I|PRP 'd|MD be|VB taken|VBN care|NN of|IN during|IN summer|NN by|IN American|JJ students|NNS .|. 
Did|VBD you|PRP visit|VBP Russia|NNP ever|RB as|IN a|DT child|NN ?|. 
Because|IN Russian|JJ was|VBD a|DT language|NN I|PRP would|MD only|RB use|VB with|IN family|NN as|IN a|DT child|NN .|. 
When|WRB I|PRP was|VBD 5|CD I|PRP thought|VBD Russian|JJ was|VBD a|DT family|NN language|NN .|. 
My|PRP$ parents|NNS and|CC I|PRP would|MD fly|VB from|IN time|NN to|TO time|NN to|TO Russia|NNP 
.|. Do|VBP you|PRP remember|VBP what|WP that|WDT was|VBD like|IN ?|. 
What|WP were|VBD your|PRP$ impressions|NNS of|IN Russia|NNP ?|. 
Once|RB when|WRB I|PRP was|VBD around|IN 5|CD ,|, upon|IN getting|VBG there|RB ,|, everyone|NN spoke|VBD Russian|JJ .|. 
So|IN I|PRP turned|VBD to|TO my|PRP$ mom|NN and|CC told|VBD her|PRP$ "|'' we|PRP have|VBP a|DT really|RB big|JJ family|NN "|'' .|. 
That|DT ’s|VBZ cute|JJ .|. 
Hard|NNP to|TO describe|VB my|PRP$ impressions|NNS of|IN Russia|NNP .|. 
Well|RB what|WP do|VBP you|PRP remember|VBP about|IN it|PRP ?|. 
I|PRP still|RB have|VBP the|DT USSR|NNP vision|NN of|IN Russia|NNP .|. 
I|PRP remember|VBP tanks|NNS and|CC army|NN on|IN the|DT highways|NNS the|DT cold|NN and|CC snow|NN in|IN a|DT big|JJ park|NN .|. 
Did|VBD that|WDT seem|VBP really|RB strange|JJ to|TO you|PRP compared|VBD with|IN France|NNP ?|. 
Well|RB not|RB really|RB ,|, when|WRB you|PRP are|VBP young|JJ you|PRP do|VBP not|RB really|RB take|VB those|DT things|NNS into|IN account|NN .|. 
You|PRP more|JJR or|CC less|JJR take|NN them|PRP for|IN granted|VBN .|. 
When|WRB was|VBD the|DT last|JJ time|NN you|PRP went|VBD there|RB ?|. 
All|DT I|PRP remember|VBP is|VBZ that|IN at|IN that|DT time|NN because|IN there|EX were|VBD soldiers|NNS all|DT around|IN ,|, I|PRP thought|VBD Russia|NNP was|VBD a|DT mighty|JJ country|NN .|. 
In|IN 1992|CD or|CC 1993|CD .|. 
Oh|UH so|IN you|PRP were|VBD about|IN 10|CD years|NNS old|JJ ?|. 
Indeed|RB .|. 
Would|MD you|PRP go|VB to|TO visit|VB family|NN ?|. 
No|DT ,|, most|JJS of|IN my|PRP$ family|NN moved|VBD to|TO Germany|NNP .|. 
I|PRP would|MD go|VB there|RB for|IN business|NN purposes|NNS .|. 
My|PRP$ dad|NN had|VBD an|DT office|NN there|RB .|. 
My|PRP$ mom|NN and|CC I|PRP would|MD accompany|VB him|PRP .|. 
I|PRP see|VBP ,|, working|VBG with|IN the|DT Russian|JJ pipelines|NNS ?|. 
Oil|NN pipelines|NNS in|IN the|DT Caucasus|NNP .|. 
At|IN that|DT time|NN it|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN merely|RB Russia|NNP .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD the|DT Soviet|NNP Union|NNP .|. 
That|DT ’s|VBZ what|WP I|PRP meant|VBD .|. 
Everything|NN was|VBD centralized|VBN in|IN Moscow|NNP .|. 
So|RB is|VBZ your|PRP$ family|NN religious|JJ at|IN all|DT ?|. 
Your|PRP$ last|JJ name|NN sounds|VBZ very|RB Jewish|JJ .|. 
Not|RB exactly|RB ,|, spiritual|NN would|MD be|VB the|DT more|RBR appropriate|JJ term|NN .|. 
I|PRP have|VBP Jewish|JJ origins|NNS from|IN my|PRP$ father|NN 's|POS side|NN but|CC he|PRP was|VBD never|RB religious|JJ .|. 
So|IN neither|DT of|IN your|PRP$ parents|NNS was|VBD very|RB religious|JJ ?|. 
My|PRP$ mom|NN is|VBZ catholic|JJ and|CC would|MD go|VB every|DT once|RB in|IN a|DT while|NN to|TO church|NN like|IN on|IN Christmas|NNP or|CC Easter|NNP .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD baptized|JJ in|IN Moscow|NNP in|IN an|DT Orthodox|NNP church|NN then|RB did|VBD my|PRP$ communion|NN in|IN a|DT catholic|JJ church|NN .|. 
I|PRP see|VBP ,|, so|IN you|PRP were|VBD actually|RB brought|VBN up|RP with|IN some|DT religion|NN ?|. 
Yeah|UH ,|, then|RB I|PRP followed|VBD Kabala|NNP briefly|NN .|. 
I|PRP certainly|RB do|VBP have|VBP a|DT judeo|NN Christian|NNP religious|JJ background|NN .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD actually|RB influenced|VBN by|IN my|PRP$ classmates|NNS though|IN ,|, Kind|NNP of|IN embarrassing|JJ story|NN .|. 
But|CC one|CD of|IN my|PRP$ friends|NNS at|IN that|DT time|NN told|VBD me|PRP about|IN the|DT communion|NN ,|, getting|VBG presents|VBZ and|CC all|DT .|. 
Since|IN I|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN really|RB brought|VBD up|RP through|IN religion|NN I|PRP decided|VBD to|TO do|VB it|PRP because|IN I|PRP would|MD get|VB gifts|NNS .|. 
I|PRP think|VBP a|DT lot|NN of|IN children|NNS are|VBP like|IN that|DT .|. 
My|PRP$ family|NN taught|VBD me|PRP spirituality|NN not|RB dogma|NN .|. 
What|WP kind|NN of|IN spirituality|NN ?|. 
Can|MD you|PRP explain|VB ?|. Well|RB ,|, that|WDT is|VBZ why|WRB today|NN I|PRP would|MD be|VB somewhere|RB in|IN between|IN deism|NN and|CC agnosticism|NN .|. 
Spirituality|NNP is|VBZ a|DT vague|JJ term|NN to|TO express|VB the|DT fact|NN that|IN you|PRP do|VBP believe|VBP in|IN more|RBR than|IN just|RB physical|JJ .|. 
You|PRP believe|VBP the|DT interconnectivity|NN of|IN everything|NN in|IN the|DT universe|NN from|IN the|DT atom|NN to|TO the|DT universe|NN .|. 
Like|IN Buddhism|NNP ?|. 
You|PRP believe|VBP that|IN there|EX may|MD be|VB a|DT greater|JJR purpose|NN .|. 
Well|RB Buddhism|NNP is|VBZ somewhat|RB similar|JJ except|IN I|PRP have|VBP more|JJR of|IN a|DT judeo|NN Christian|NNP root|NN .|. 
You|PRP just|RB don|VB ’|NN t|NN stop|NN at|IN naming|VBG any|DT religion|NN in|IN particular|JJ as|IN yours|NNS ?|. 
Well|RB ,|, for|IN instance|NN the|DT 10|CD commandments|NNS ,|, whether|IN written|VBN or|CC not|RB by|IN god|NN are|VBP good|JJ values|NNS .|. 
They|PRP are|VBP moral|JJ standards|NNS applicable|JJ to|TO any|DT society|NN whether|IN religious|JJ or|CC not|RB .|. 
That|DT ’s|VBZ true|JJ .|. 
We|PRP shouldn|NN ’|NN t|NN have|VBP to|TO follow|VB them|PRP just|RB because|IN we|PRP are|VBP afraid|JJ of|IN going|VBG to|TO hell|NN .|. 
Let|VB ’|NN s|VBZ just|RB say|VBP that|IN I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN believe|VBP I|PRP need|VBP religion|NN as|IN I|PRP mean|VBP to|TO feel|VB connected|VBN to|TO the|DT rest|NN .|. 
I|PRP believe|VBP my|PRP$ connection|NN to|TO everything|NN is|VBZ solely|RB individual|JJ and|CC based|VBN on|IN my|PRP$ own|JJ experience|NN .|. 
Everyone|NN should|MD have|VB the|DT choice|NN of|IN using|VBG whatever|WDT means|VBZ necessary|JJ to|TO channel|VB himself|PRP whether|IN religion|NN ,|, philosophy|NN and|CC so|RB on|IN .|. 
Furthermore|RB ,|, having|VBG a|DT more|JJR of|IN a|DT global|JJ cultural|JJ identity|NN has|VBZ prompt|VB me|PRP to|TO travel|VB a|DT lot|NN and|CC discover|VB other|JJ cultures|NNS which|WDT in|IN time|NN strengthens|VBZ the|DT feeling|NN of|IN being|VBG part|NN of|IN humanity|NN as|IN a|DT whole|NN .|. 
To|TO understand|VB that|DT right|NN and|CC wrong|NN can|MD be|VB a|DT cultural|JJ ,|, social|JJ or|CC religious|JJ view|NN .|. In|IN the|DT end|NN it|PRP all|DT depends|VBZ from|IN which|WDT angle|NN you|PRP perceive|VBP the|DT subject|NN from|IN .|. 
Finding|VBG spirituality|NN doesn|NN ’|NN t|NN just|RB come|VB automatically|RB ,|, are|VBP there|EX any|DT life-changing|JJ experiences|NNS in|IN particular|JJ which|WDT have|VBP lead|VBN you|PRP to|TO these|DT beliefs|NNS ?|. 
I|PRP lost|VBD my|PRP$ father|NN when|WRB I|PRP was|VBD thirteen|NN ,|, this|DT brought|VBN unpleasant|JJ turmoil|NN to|TO my|PRP$ family|NN and|CC changed|VBD my|PRP$ life|NN radically|RB .|. 
During|IN my|PRP$ teenage|JJ years|NNS ,|, I|PRP had|VBD trouble|NN identifying|VBG with|IN a|DT specific|JJ group|NN because|IN I|PRP felt|VBD so|RB different|JJ .|. 
I|PRP had|VBD lost|VBN a|DT parent|NN ,|, I|PRP was|VBD multicultural|NN ,|, Had|VBD no|DT religious|JJ ax|NN yet|RB wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN atheist|NN either|CC which|WDT got|VBD me|PRP really|RB lost|VBD and|CC confused|VBN .|. 
After|IN finishing|VBG high|JJ school|NN I|PRP needed|VBD to|TO find|VB my|PRP$ roots|NNS and|CC decided|VBD to|TO go|VB on|IN a|DT backpacking|VBG trip|NN to|TO China|NNP to|TO find|VB out|IN more|JJR about|IN my|PRP$ father|NN 's|POS past|NN .|. 
Now|RB China|NNP being|VBG so|RB different|JJ from|IN where|WRB I|PRP grew|VBD up|RB made|VBN me|PRP understand|VBP that|IN the|DT world|NN isn|NN ’|NN t|NN just|RB one|CD vision|NN ,|, but|CC infinite|NN visions|NNS of|IN reality|NN .|. 
In|IN a|DT sense|NN ,|, by|IN traveling|VBG there|RB ,|, not|RB only|RB I|PRP found|VBD out|IN more|JJR about|IN my|PRP$ father|NN ,|, discovered|VBD a|DT place|NN and|CC tried|VBD new|JJ thing|NN .|. 
This|DT trip|NN kind|NN of|IN cleared|VBD my|PRP$ head|NN and|CC I|PRP realized|VBD that|IN we|PRP were|VBD all|DT part|NN of|IN a|DT whole|NN as|IN different|JJ as|IN we|PRP are|VBP .|. 
From|IN then|RB on|IN I|PRP decided|VBD to|TO go|VB backpacking|VBG every|DT summer|NN .|. 
I|PRP then|RB went|VBD to|TO Chile|NNP ,|, Bolivia|NNP ,|, and|CC Peru|NNP ,|, where|WRB I|PRP spent|VBD most|JJS of|IN my|PRP$ time|NN living|VBG with|IN locals|NNS hence|RB discovering|VBG fully|RB culture|NN and|CC traditions|NNS .|. 
Went|VBD to|TO Vietnam|NNP ,|, Eastern|NNP Europe|NNP .|. 
I|PRP ’m|VBP proud|JJ to|TO say|VB that|IN I|PRP have|VBP friends|NNS of|IN all|DT nationalities|NNS ,|, religion|NN and|CC color|NN .|. 
Could|MD you|PRP tell|VB me|PRP about|IN a|DT specific|JJ moment|NN or|CC situation|NN on|IN one|CD of|IN your|PRP$ trips|NNS that|WDT have|VBP left|VBN a|DT mark|NN on|IN you|PRP ?|. 
This|DT can|MD be|VB a|DT person|NN you|PRP 've|VBP met|VBN too|RB .|. 
During|IN my|PRP$ trips|NNS ,|, I|PRP was|VBD lucky|JJ enough|RB to|TO meet|VB very|RB interesting|JJ people|NNS as|RB well|RB as|IN encounter|NN odd|JJ situations|NNS 
.|. We|PRP started|VBD drifting|VBG around|IN and|CC instead|RB of|IN staying|VBG in|IN Chile|NNP ,|, went|VBD north|RB to|TO Bolivia|NNP .|. 
Now|RB at|IN that|DT time|NN the|DT country|NN was|VBD on|IN the|DT brink|NN of|IN civil|JJ war|NN .|. 
Most|JJS of|IN the|DT roads|NNS were|VBD closed|VBN and|CC bus|NN drivers|NNS would|MD tell|VB us|PRP that|IN driving|VBG during|IN the|DT night|NN was|VBD unsafe|JJ and|CC extremely|RB dangerous|JJ .|. 
Yet|CC we|PRP managed|VBD going|VBG on|IN and|CC got|VBD to|TO La|NNP Paz|NNP ,|, the|DT capital|NN .|. 
Now|RB originally|RB we|PRP were|VBD making|VBG way|NN to|TO go|VB to|TO Peru|NNP ,|, while|IN seeing|VBG a|DT couple|NN of|IN amazing|JJ landscapes|NNS .|. 
But|CC like|IN I|PRP was|VBD saying|VBG the|DT country|NN was|VBD in|IN civil|JJ war|NN .|. 
rRoads|NNS were|VBD obliterated|VBN but|CC broken|VBN pavement|NN ,|, while|IN angry|JJ mobs|NNS ruled|VBD the|DT city|NN .|. 
The|DT ever|RB growing|VBG presence|NN of|IN military|JJ rendered|VBD the|DT situation|NN uneasy|JJ and|CC one|PRP could|MD see|VB burning|VBG cars|NNS ,|, illuminated|JJ roads|NNS as|IN giant|JJ iron|NN candle|NN sticks|NNS .|. 
Now|RB being|VBG a|DT foreigner|NN and|CC going|VBG through|IN such|JJ a|DT stage|NN in|IN a|DT countries|NNS history|NN is|VBZ extremely|RB enriching|VBG because|IN these|DT inequalities|NNS ,|, however|RB serious|JJ they|PRP can|MD be|VB in|IN your|PRP$ country|NN of|IN origin|NN ,|, are|VBP more|RBR strongly|RB demonstrated|VBN in|IN a|DT poor|JJ country|NN .|. 
One|PRP can|MD finally|RB grasp|VB how|WRB the|DT world|NN is|VBZ filled|VBN with|IN conflictuous|JJ passions|NNS .|. 
Were|VBD you|PRP ever|RB afraid|JJ ?|. 
I|PRP wouldnt|NN say|VBP I|PRP was|VBD afraid|JJ because|IN we|PRP didnt|NN encounter|NN any|DT potential|JJ life|NN threatening|VBG situations|NNS with|IN locals|NNS .|. 
The|DT military|NN were|VBD very|RB suspicious|JJ but|CC most|JJS of|IN the|DT people|NNS we|PRP met|VBD told|VBN us|PRP we|PRP should|MD leave|VB immediatly|RB because|IN it|PRP is|VBZ unsafe|JJ .|. 
General|JJ population|NN is|VBZ usually|RB always|RB friendly|JJ .|. 
Occasionally|RB you|PRP would|MD bump|VB into|IN people|NNS that|IN disliked|JJ foreigners|NNS but|CC thats|NNS always|RB a|DT minority|NN .|. 
From|IN there|RB on|IN we|PRP headed|VBD to|TO Peru|NNP ,|, saw|VBD a|DT couple|NN of|IN breathtaking|JJ if|IN not|RB life|NN changing|VBG views|NNS .|. 
Let|VB me|PRP point|VBP out|RP the|DT fact|NN ,|, that|DT humanity|NN has|VBZ built|VBN such|JJ jewel|NN across|IN the|DT world|NN that|IN merely|RB seeing|VBG thus|RB wonderful|JJ masterpieces|NNS enables|VBZ to|TO see|VB what|WP potential|JJ we|PRP have|VBP .|. 
Not|RB only|RB that|RB ,|, but|CC nature|NN also|RB has|VBZ amazing|JJ treasures|NNS to|TO share|VB .|. 
Coming|VBG back|RB to|TO the|DT original|JJ story|NN ,|, after|IN hanging|VBG out|IN in|IN Peru|NNP for|IN a|DT while|NN we|PRP were|VBD bound|VBN to|TO head|VB back|RB 2000|CD km|NN south|RB to|TO eventually|RB get|VB back|RB to|TO our|PRP$ plane|NN .|. 
The|DT only|JJ problem|NN was|VBD ,|, we|PRP drifted|VBD so|RB far|RB away|RB ,|, that|IN we|PRP started|VBD having|VBG financial|JJ issues|NNS .|. 
Furthermore|RB ,|, we|PRP were|VBD in|IN such|JJ remote|JJ areas|NNS that|IN no|DT one|PRP could|MD actually|RB transfer|VB us|PRP any|DT money|NN through|IN western|JJ union|NN or|CC money|NN gram|NN .|. 
We|PRP literally|RB had|VBD just|RB barely|RB enough|RB to|TO pay|VB for|IN buses|NNS ,|, so|IN we|PRP started|VBD fasting|VBG for|IN 2|CD days|NNS .|. 
Now|RB fasting|VBG while|IN being|VBG constantly|RB on|IN the|DT move|NN with|IN a|DT 15|CD kg|NN bag|NN on|IN ur|NN back|RB and|CC under|IN scorching|VBG heat|NN was|VBD harder|RBR than|IN expected|VBN .|. 
During|IN one|CD of|IN the|DT bus|NN rides|NNS ,|, which|WDT was|VBD a|DT 15|CD h|NN bus|NN ride|NN by|IN the|DT way|NN ,|, I|PRP started|VBD feeling|VBG dehydrated|JJ and|CC nauseous|JJ .|. 
I|PRP started|VBD seeing|VBG stars|NNS and|CC couldnt|NN get|VB up|RB anymore|RB .|. 
Actually|RB my|PRP$ friend|NN told|VBD me|PRP I|PRP turned|VBD green|JJ ,|, so|IN I|PRP got|VBD myself|PRP together|RB and|CC started|VBD begging|VBG for|IN water|NN .|. 
In|IN a|DT bus|NN filled|VBN with|IN peruvian|NN farmers|NNS we|PRP were|VBD the|DT only|JJ foreigners|NNS .|. 
One|CD of|IN them|PRP shared|VBD his|PRP$ orange|NN juice|NN with|IN me|PRP .|. 
This|DT helped|VBD me|PRP greatly|RB ,|, but|CC the|DT experience|NN of|IN having|VBG literally|RB nothing|NN and|CC having|VBG to|TO beg|VB for|IN water|NN and|CC supplies|NNS was|VBD truly|RB a|DT horrible|JJ yet|RB strong|JJ experience|NN to|TO bear|VB .|. 
Yeah|UH ,|, it|PRP must|MD make|VB you|PRP appreciative|JJ of|IN what|WP you|PRP have|VBP .|. 
It|PRP also|RB stirs|VBZ up|RP the|DT instinct|NN of|IN survival|NN .|. 
Where|WRB else|RB have|VBP you|PRP traveled|VBD ?|. 
I|PRP have|VBP travelled|JJ also|RB to|TO China|NNP ,|, Vietnam|NNP ,|, Mexico|NNP ,|, Eastern|NNP Europe|NNP .|. 
What|WP about|IN people|NNS you|PRP met|VBD on|IN your|PRP$ trips|NNS ?|. 
I|PRP have|VBP met|VBN very|RB interesting|JJ people|NNS on|IN my|PRP$ trips|NNS .|. 
The|DT most|RBS intriguing|JJ person|NN I|PRP have|VBP met|VBN is|VBZ during|IN my|PRP$ Vietnam|NNP expedition|NN in|IN 2005|CD .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD waiting|VBG for|IN a|DT friend|NN to|TO join|VB me|PRP from|IN Thailand|NNP and|CC had|VBD some|DT time|NN to|TO kill|VB .|. 
So|IN I|PRP decided|VBD to|TO visit|VB Ho|NNP Ghi|NNP Minh|NNP City|NNP (|( formerly|RB Saigon|NNP )|) and|CC its|PRP$ surroundings|NNS .|. 
Now|RB in|IN Vietnam|NNP there|EX are|VBP diverse|JJ religions|NNS such|JJ as|IN Buddhism|NNP ,|, Christianity|NNP and|CC the|DT latter|JJ Cao|NNP Daisme|NNP .|. 
Now|RB Cao|NNP Dai|NNP is|VBZ a|DT religion|NN which|WDT holds|VBZ 7|CD million|CD worshipers|NNS throughout|IN the|DT world|NN but|CC the|DT actual|JJ root|NN of|IN it|PRP is|VBZ in|IN Vietnam|NNP .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ rather|RB complicated|VBN to|TO explain|VB ,|, but|CC it|PRP more|JJR or|CC less|JJR a|DT combination|NN of|IN Buddhism|NNP ,|, Christianity|NNP and|CC Humanism|NNP .|. 
The|DT practice|NN is|VBZ mainly|RB inspired|VBN by|IN Buddhism|NNP but|CC the|DT belief|NN in|IN a|DT certain|JJ divine|NN order|NN ,|, the|DT all|DT seeing|VBG eye|NN (|( judeo|NN christian|NN )|) with|IN reincarnation|NN .|. 
Their|PRP$ temples|NNS are|VBP usually|RB extremely|RB colorful|JJ ,|, with|IN blue|JJ ceilings|NNS ,|, very|RB different|JJ from|IN what|WP we|PRP are|VBP used|VBN to|TO seeing|VBG in|IN the|DT Western|NNP World|NNP .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD visiting|VBG one|CD of|IN those|DT temples|NNS ,|, enjoying|VBG the|DT new|JJ scenery|NN and|CC started|VBD talking|VBG to|TO one|CD of|IN the|DT monks|NNS .|. 
After|IN some|DT platonic|JJ chit|NN chat|VB he|PRP asked|VBD me|PRP where|WRB I|PRP was|VBD from|IN ,|, so|IN I|PRP cut|VBP the|DT story|NN short|JJ and|CC told|VBD him|PRP I|PRP was|VBD visiting|VBG from|IN France|NNP .|. 
He|PRP then|RB asked|VBD me|PRP if|IN I|PRP was|VBD interested|VBN to|TO talk|VB in|IN french|JJ with|IN one|CD of|IN the|DT people|NNS there|RB .|. 
I|PRP naturally|RB accepted|VBD and|CC followed|VBD the|DT monk|NN behind|IN the|DT altar|NN ,|, towards|IN the|DT private|JJ chambers|NNS .|. 
I|PRP met|VBD up|RB with|IN a|DT very|RB old|JJ man|NN ,|, probably|RB in|IN his|PRP$ 80|CD s|VBZ .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD hard|JJ to|TO understand|VB him|PRP because|IN the|DT communist|NN regime|NN under|IN Ho|NNP Chi|NNP Minh|NNP cut|VBD his|PRP$ tongue|NN off|RP .|. 
Let|VB me|PRP remind|VB you|PRP that|DT communist|NN regime|NN heavily|RB repressed|JJ any|DT religious|JJ ideas|NNS and|CC concepts|NNS .|. 
It|PRP turned|VBD out|IN progressively|RB that|IN the|DT man|NN was|VBD more|RBR than|IN merely|RB a|DT priest|NN .|. 
He|PRP was|VBD the|DT equivalent|NN of|IN what|WP we|PRP would|MD call|VB the|DT Pope|NNP in|IN the|DT Catholic|NNP Church|NNP .|. 
He|PRP started|VBD showing|VBG all|PDT these|DT letters|NNS from|IN political|JJ personalities|NNS such|JJ as|IN Henry|NNP Kissinger|NNP ,|, Jacques|NNP Chirac|NNP the|DT former|JJ president|NN of|IN France|NNP ,|, The|DT Queen|NNP of|IN England|NNP ,|, Australia|NNP 's|POS prime|JJ minister|NN .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD literally|RB amazed|VBN encountering|VBG such|JJ a|DT prestigious|JJ man|NN .|. 
He|PRP was|VBD so|RB humble|JJ ,|, so|RB human|JJ ,|, so|RB far|RB away|RB from|IN politics|NNS ,|, very|RB down|RB to|TO earth|NN if|IN I|PRP may|MD say|VB .|. 
Now|RB having|VBG this|DT opportunity|NN and|CC to|TO talk|VB about|IN spirituality|NN with|IN someone|NN so|RB highly|RB respected|VBN in|IN that|DT part|NN of|IN the|DT world|NN was|VBD truly|RB an|DT honor|NN .|. 
He|PRP gave|VBD me|PRP some|DT of|IN his|PRP$ written|JJ teachings|NNS which|WDT I|PRP brought|VBD back|RB to|TO Paris|NNP with|IN me|PRP ,|, not|RB to|TO practice|VB my|PRP$ newly|RB discovered|VBN religion|NN but|CC to|TO remember|VB that|DT moment|NN in|IN my|PRP$ life|NN .|. 
So|RB tell|VB me|PRP how|WRB you|PRP feel|VBP about|IN being|VBG half|NN American|NNP .|. Nothing|NN specific|JJ ,|, I|PRP have|VBP always|RB had|VBD a|DT certain|JJ warmth|NN towards|IN the|DT US|NNP .|. 
I|PRP 'm|VBP definetly|RB not|RB as|RB patriotic|JJ as|IN the|DT average|JJ American|NNP and|CC also|RB may|MD have|VB developed|VBN a|DT more|RBR critical|JJ approach|NN towards|IN what|WP America|NNP is|VBZ .|. 
Living|VBG in|IN New|NNP York|NNP is|VBZ great|JJ .|. 
Ive|NNP always|RB wanted|VBD to|TO spend|VB some|DT of|IN my|PRP$ life|NN in|IN the|DT US|NNP .|. 
You|PRP have|VBP to|TO understand|VB that|IN although|IN I|PRP was|VBD raised|VBN in|IN France|NNP there|EX are|VBP certain|JJ things|NNS that|WDT were|VBD passed|VBN on|IN to|TO me|PRP as|IN American|JJ culture|NN .|. 
For|IN instance|NN the|DT fact|NN of|IN being|VBG able|JJ to|TO celebrate|VB Halloween|NNP within|IN the|DT US|NNP was|VBD something|NN I|PRP really|RB enjoyed|VBD .|. 
I|PRP have|VBP always|RB wanted|VBN to|TO celebrate|VB it|PRP in|IN the|DT real|JJ surrounding|VBG .|. 
Do|VBP people|NNS take|VBP you|PRP for|IN an|DT American|NNP or|CC do|VBP they|PRP tell|VBP you|PRP that|IN you|PRP seem|VBP European|JJ ?|. 
I|PRP feel|VBP more|JJR european|NN culturally|RB speaking|VBG ,|, however|RB when|WRB I|PRP talk|VBP with|IN people|NNS and|CC have|VBP random|JJ conversations|NNS ,|, they|PRP wouldnt|NN know|VB that|IN they|PRP would|MD come|VB to|TO realize|VB it|PRP when|WRB for|IN instance|NN they|PRP would|MD talk|VB about|IN American|NNP Football|NNP which|WDT I|PRP have|VBP never|RB watched|VBN ,|, or|CC when|WRB I|PRP would|MD randomly|RB mispronounce|NN a|DT word|NN that|IN I|PRP havent|NN used|VBN that|IN much|JJ before|RB .|. 
Im|NNP not|RB considered|VBN by|IN americans|NNS as|IN french|JJ either|RB .|. 
They|PRP dont|NN really|RB comment|VB on|IN it|PRP ;|: thing|NN is|VBZ I|PRP know|VBP how|WRB a|DT word|NN sounds|VBZ I|PRP just|RB sometimes|RB mispronounce|NN it|PRP and|CC then|RB auto|NN correct|JJ myself|PRP .|. 
People|NNS just|RB consider|VBP me|PRP as|IN a|DT rare|JJ commodity|NN ,|, an|DT American|NNP raised|VBD in|IN Europe|NNP .|. 
So|RB do|VBP you|PRP identify|VBP more|JJR with|IN french|JJ or|CC Americans|NNPS ?|. 
I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN identify|VB at|IN all|DT with|IN French|JJ ,|, because|IN I|PRP ’m|VBP not|RB .|. 
I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN even|RB have|VBP a|DT French|JJ passport|NN .|. 
But|CC you|PRP lived|VBD there|EX your|PRP$ whole|JJ life|NN .|. 
Yes|UH but|CC those|DT circumstances|NNS have|VBP given|VBN me|PRP a|DT more|RBR European|JJ feeling|NN that|IN a|DT French|JJ feeling|NN 
I|PRP am|VBP part|NN of|IN this|DT generation|NN of|IN kids|NNS that|WDT have|VBP mixed|JJ nationalities|NNS in|IN Europe|NNP and|CC consider|VB themselves|PRP as|IN Europeans|NNPS .|. 
But|CC you|PRP could|MD easily|RB get|VB a|DT french|JJ passport|NN .|. 
Yes|UH but|CC I|PRP wouldn|NN ’|NN t|NN want|VBP it|PRP .|. 
Why|WRB ’s|VBZ that|DT ?|. 
I|PRP definitely|RB come|VBP from|IN France|NNP ,|, am|VBP used|VBN to|TO eating|VBG habits|NNS ,|, but|CC i|NNP feel|VBP different|JJ than|IN the|DT average|JJ french|JJ .|. 
Mainly|RB tax|NN purposes|NNS ,|, but|CC also|RB because|IN I|PRP am|VBP weary|JJ of|IN France|NNP and|CC wanted|VBD to|TO leave|VB for|IN a|DT while|NN .|. 
Why|WRB are|VBP you|PRP weary|JJ of|IN France|NNP ?|. 
In|IN my|PRP$ opinion|NN France|NNP hasnt|NN been|VBN evolving|VBG lately|RB and|CC its|PRP$ stagnating|VBG views|NNS are|VBP leading|VBG it|PRP to|TO its|PRP$ downfall|NN .|. 
And|CC because|IN it|PRP isnt|NN turned|VBD towards|IN international|JJ careers|NNS France|NNP is|VBZ very|RB Chauvinist|NNP ,|, and|CC being|VBG multicultural|NN isnt|NN seen|VBN as|IN a|DT high|JJ asset|NN like|IN in|IN the|DT States|NNPS .|. 
Why|WRB do|VBP you|PRP think|VBP that|WDT is|VBZ so|RB ?|. 
Hard|NNP to|TO say|VB ,|, but|CC part|NN of|IN it|PRP is|VBZ because|IN France|NNP was|VBD once|RB a|DT great|JJ country|NN on|IN an|DT international|JJ level|NN .|. 
Its|PRP$ greatness|NN has|VBZ been|VBN withering|VBG ever|RB since|IN and|CC i|NNP believe|VBP its|PRP$ people|NNS feel|VBP that|DT way|NN .|. 
