The author and Mr. Maurizio Salabert |
Maurizio Salabert, affectionately known as Uncle Mau or Maumau, is a close friend I've had the pleasure of meeting during my time living and working in Da Lat City. Uncle Mau and his younger brother were born and raised in Australia, in a family of Argentinian immigrants. Much of Uncle Mau's life was spent in Sydney, Australia, where he developed the nickname "Angry Mau"—a name he gave himself when reminiscing about that time. Not in the bustling city center, his family settled in the suburbs, a place with a diverse and complex population. With his inherent optimism, Uncle Mau not only quickly recognized the complexities of life but also formed his own philosophy: "I will always be like this! I will always be a youthful person, always wanting to contribute." However, a young person can hardly avoid all the pitfalls of life. Having become independent at a young age, Mr. Mau's life was extremely difficult. When the pressures of making a living combined with emotional pain, Mr. Mau fell into alcoholism and drug addiction at the age of 20. As a result, he lost his beloved job as a chef and his close relationships. The crisis reached its peak when Mr. Mau lost everything and became homeless...
Through extraordinary efforts, Uncle Mau struggled to save himself and joined the army. Regarding that decision, Uncle Mau recounted: “When I was a child, I often went to the park to play chess with older people. Most of them were veterans. Conversations with them partly convinced me of my later decision to join the army. With the thoughts of a young person, I really wanted to contribute my strength to the country, to the people I love…”. Recalling that turning point, Uncle Mau shared: “I always told myself: Mau, you can do meaningful things. Your mission is to create good things for this life!” Uncle Mau's life seemed to have become happy again, but then new events occurred. During his military service, he and his comrades used their bodies for medical research on numerous occasions. The experimental vaccines inadvertently became a silent poison, slowly destroying his body. When his endurance reached its limit, Mr. Mau began to develop severe necrosis. “Australia couldn’t save me…” Mr. Mau choked up. Treatment in Australia didn’t go smoothly. Therefore, he began seeking help from other countries. According to Mr. Mau, a doctor in Ho Chi Minh City successfully saved his life; however, not everyone could be saved…
Now, Maurizio Salabert is a disabled man, missing his left leg. A former young soldier whose "body is no longer whole." He lost his job, lost a part of his body, and his wife, with whom he had built a small home, also left him, leaving behind their son whom they had promised to raise together. He almost lost everything again, but this is no longer the "hot-tempered Mau" of the past, but a strong Maurizio who has weathered many storms. Uncle Mau stood up and fought against the military leadership and the Australian government to protect his legitimate interests for four long years. He told me that those four years seemed endless. During that time, Uncle Mau spent his time traveling extensively around the world in search of what he calls "peace of mind." That journey took Uncle Mau to new lands and new cultures. From Bali to Tibet, from Malaysia to India. “I truly wanted to know, deep down in my heart, who I am? What is the purpose of this life? That’s why I embarked on this spiritual journey.” It was on this very journey that Mr. Mau met the love of his life: Da Lat…
“A friend told me I should try Da Lat,” Uncle Mau recounted. “Da Lat? Why Da Lat? What does Da Lat have to offer?...” Putting aside his thoughts, Uncle Mau set off again. He went to Da Lat, strolled through its streets, ate its food, and met its people. His first trip to Da Lat lasted two weeks. It was a fleeting experience, neither too short nor too long, but it seemed to have planted a “seed” in his heart, waiting to blossom. “I returned to Australia, but it seemed my soul no longer belonged there. My mind was solely focused on Da Lat. I missed the scenery, the atmosphere, the kind people I met. I wanted to return to Da Lat.” Undeterred, Uncle Mau returned to Da Lat. Once, twice, then three times... And so, a deep bond formed between him and Da Lat, until, with tears welling up from his heart, Mr. Mau realized he had fallen in love with Da Lat without even knowing it. To be certain of this major life decision, Mr. Mau, along with his son and younger brother, returned to Da Lat once more. “Here, I have family. That’s me, my younger brother, my son, and all the Vietnamese people around me. They care for us in a way we’ve never experienced before. In Australia, people aren’t this close. The human values I’m looking for are in Vietnam, in Da Lat. Human feelings are expressed in the purest way: through sharing. Fortunately, my son and brother have integrated very quickly and are ready to join me in seeking a new life in this country, in this city…” Mr. Mau confided to me, truly moved. Immediately after Uncle Mau's struggles yielded results, the Australian army and government compensated him for his contributions and sacrifices, and the three men finally arrived in Da Lat. This time, it wasn't just a tourist trip, no more longing for the future. "My new life and the lives of my loved ones truly began," Uncle Mau said...
As the sun set, Mr. Mau proudly shared with me that he had invested in several businesses in Da Lat and was reaping the rewards. He and his family had also completed the procedures for registering their residency in Vietnam and were trying to learn Vietnamese. The man smiled contentedly: "Da Lat, this place is home..."
Source: http://baolamdong.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202501/den-de-yeu-va-gan-bo-voi-da-lat-2fd7e42/
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