Merry Christmas All

Hi All,

We just want to wish all our family and precious friends, both here in Taiwan and on distant shores, the merriest Christmas and the happiest New Year. We hope that the blessings of 2008 will be upon you all and those you love and that 2008 would be a wonderful year for you.

Thank you all for your friendship and care. We really do appreciate it.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Queenie and Paul

The Red Kitchen - A Great Steak House

Hi All,

We live in a great part of Taipei. We are very thankful for it. Around our neighborhood are many great and wonderful restuarants. And since we live behind the University, most of them are cheap as they are aimed at students. As a result we thought we could introduce a few of them to you.

One of our favourite restaurants is the Red Kitchen. The Red Kitchen is a brillian family run steak house with probably the best customer service in Taipei. Pei Lei is the young lady who runs the front end of the store. Her brother is in charge of the kitchen and the restuarant is owned by their father. Sometimes the grandmother is there too to help out at the cash register.


(Pei Lei at the Red Kitchen)

They sell all kinds of steak that are very resonably priced. We normally get the minature steaks which are around NTD380. They also sell T-bone steaks but if you don't like rare steaks you really need to tell them to cook it well. Aside from that glitch, the steaks are about as good as any you can get in Taipei. They also sell some chicken dishes and fish dishes for those who don't like red meat.


(Minature Steaks)

Coupled with the steaks is the usual salad bar. Although the salad bar is not as big as some of the other ones we have seen, the salads are always very fresh and the variety sufficient. The salad bar with he normal drinks are included in the price of the food.


(Salad From the Salad Bar)

Good steaks in Taipei are hard to find at reasonable prices. One half of this couple being South African meant that we usually had to fork out quite a lot of money for a decent steak. The Red Kitchen opened around the beginning of 2006 and has been a rip roaring success. It is usually about three quarters full. There is enough seating for about 40 ~ 50 people so it is small and quaint although not quiet.

We used to go there once a week but the food was too much so now we have scaled it back to once every three or four weeks. I think we have taken most of our friends there at least once and many of them agree that the steaks aren't bad at all. We also do go there with Queenie's family quite often so we are really big fans of the restaurant.



(Lu Mama, Queenie and Rochelle at the Red Kitchen)

So if you are in the mood for a steak and have a big enough appetite, I recommend you get over to the Red Kitchen, you probably won't be disappointed. The address AND telephone number are below:

No. 1, Alley 2, Lane 118
Hoping East Road, Section 2

Tel.: (02) 2377-6186

It is quite close to the corner of Hoping East Road, Section 2 and Fuhsing South Road. They are open for lunch between 11:30am and 2:30pm and for dinner they are open between 5:00pm and 9:30pm.

See our Taipei and Taiwan Travel Guide for more restaurant reviews

Christmas has Started in Taipei

Hi All,

(Queenie, Paul and Rochelle at the Tree Lighting Ceremony)

The Tree Lighting Ceremony

On Friday night, after my (Paul's) final exam, we took my niece to the tree lighing ceremony outside the Far East Hotel on Tunhwa South Road. Every Christmas the Far Eastern Group will have light a big Christmas tree and some christmas lights that hang out over the trees on Tunhwa South Road. The ceremony is usually led by the head of the group.

A few years ago Queenie's parents' Church had brought over a choir from Malawi and they were the star attraction. This year though they had a special performance from some kindergarten children, a childrens choir and a string quartet.

The Far Eastern Chairman also made us aware of the group's charitable work with a project for amandoned Children in Taipei. Far Eastern Group donated NTD1,000,000 to an organization that helps these Children. They also donated NTD1,000,000 to World Vision and another charity group (we forgot the name).

The Christmas Story

What really touched us was that the Christmas story of Jesus was told. One of Chiang Kai Shek's old pastors (who is now 80 and used to Pastor the Chinese congregation at our Church) was on hand to tell the whole Christmas story in Chinese. Most of the people in Taiwan have never heard the story and think Christmas is some commercial gimmick with no real roots. So it was great for them to hear the story of Christmas.

The Lamest Father Christmas Ever

Now, as a rule, we try not to be negative about performances. We also really do appreciate Far Eastern Group trying to bring a little of the Christmas spirit and festivities to Taiwan, but really, next time get a person who can act like a Father Christmas, and not dress some lame duck corporate executive in a Father Christmas suit! The guy didn't have a clue as to what he was doing. He arrived on the stage with some fairly lame "ho ho ho's" and then proceeded to give a very uninspiring talk of about two-minutes and then left the stage. Ten minutes later he came back onto the stage, just as lamely, and started to give out some sweets!

Next year the really do need a Father Christmas who will take the stage and dominate the crowd. Maybe even get the crowd going with a few Christmas Carols ("we wish you a merry Christmas" which everyone in Taipei knows) and a few more hearty "ho ho ho's".

Christmas Has Started

So the Christmas lights outside the Far Eastern Hotel have been turned on and Christmas in Taipei has started. We will put our tree up soon and hopefully have a great festive season with everyone. Christmas is not a holiday in Taiwan, so we will have to take leave on the day.

May God bless you all and keep you safe during this Christmas season

God Bless Everyone
Queenie and Paul

UPDATE: SOUTH AFRICA TRAVELOG ADDED

Hi All,

I finally added the South Africa Travelog. You can see the slide show and the table of contents below:

• Travelog: Return to SA - A Pictorial
• China Travelog -- A pictorial
  

Enjoy.

Paul and Queenie

Getting 100% for my Exams!

Hi All,



Okay so this week I (Paul) am writing two exams for a course I am doing. One of the modules is really tough and I have pulled out quite a few hairs. A friend of mine suggested the following:

Dear Paul

If you really don't want to read books you can eat below food can help you to get a perfect score....100%. Wow ha ha ))))))))))))

Anyway

Good luck to you~

Your perfect friend ^_________^
V

So now you all know what to do! Eat a chicken legs and some boiled eggs and you should be good!

Well now, after suggesting that to my classmates, one of them suggested a bottle of Tsingtao and two meatballs (see below) would, in his words, "have the same effect"! So your choice!



Anyway, whichever one works for you, good luck

Paul

Mimi Passed Away

Dear All,

Our cat Mimi passed away on November 9, 2007. She fought a brave but futile fight against both polycystic kidney disorder and diabetes. She was a wonderful friend and daughter to Queenie for 14 years and to me for 8 years.



Queenie was with her at the end. Here is what she wrote:

last moment with mimi

I told her that mami and dadi loves her very much and I spend a few moment with her alone. She is very very weak and very light while I am holding her after one week staying in the hospital. This time, the hospital nurse keep her quite clean. She has tried her best to open the eyes to see me, and she tried to say hello to me. She wouldn't raise her voice.

I thank her for these 14 years life with me and I told her it is OK to sleep and stay in the heaven, and watch her for the final injection. I have singed the " amazing grace" to her, and ask her to remember mami has played piano and sing the songs to her just like before.


She actually resists for another injection, her body just refuse for any of the pain. her spirit is gone right after the injection, and she left this world with eye open. I watch her with tear and she left with peace.

I am pleased that my mother and brother has come with me, they make sure the last payment and everything is done properly

She has been a great friend and great daughter for us, and I hope to see her in heaven.

Thank you for loving her so much.

Mimi -- R.I.P November 9, 2007

Friends: Mashed Lit

Please consider visiting my friend Richard's blog, Mashed Lit. You can see it here:

http://mashedlit.blogspot.com/

Richards describes the blog as:

a hack writer cobbling fictions together from other people's written words? Or a textual dj remixing to find textures not originally envisioned? You choose.

I assure you that this website will be a thought provoking experience and encourage you to visit regularly. Richard will also be serializing and online novel early next year. We will keep you posted.

Congratulations Whitney!

(Whitney with her book in Eslite Bookstore on Hsin Yi Road, Taipei)

One of our friends in Taipei, Whitney Dilley, has completed and published a book on the work of Ang Lee, one of Taiwan's pre-eminent movie directors famous for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain. The book was a long time in the writing and has finaly been published. We are very excited for her. We know how long it took and how much effort she put into writing this book.

The book, The Cinema of Ang Lee: The Other Side of the Screen,has received excellent editorial reviews on Amazon.com. Chris Berry, Goldsmiths College, University of London said:

"The first major study of a director who deserves much more attention ... Essential reading for any scholar of either contemporary Chinese or American film."

And, Ian Haydn Smith, editor of The Cinema of China and South East Asia said:

"An excellent and incisive overview of the career of one of contemporary cinema's most fascinating and acclaimed figures. As passionate as it is erudite, this is a welcome volume for both film students and those with an interest in the director's work."

If you are interested, you can buy the book from Amazon by following this link: Amazon.com: The Cinema of Ang Lee: The Other Side of the Screen

Dad in the East 4: A Grand Tour

Hi All,

(Sunset from the top of 101)

On the third day after their arrival, we took Dad and Yvonne on the usual tourist circuit. We started out at the Chiang Kai Shek memorial hall, headed out to Yong Kang street to eat sushi, went across to Sun Yat Sen Memorial, walked through Hsin Yi district, went to the top of 101 and finished the day off with a steak in our favorite steak restaurant.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

(Chiang Kai Shek Memorial)

On the bus to Chiang Kai Shek memorial hall an old Chinese lady got on board. She was incredibly friendly and very excited to meet some foreigners. She couldn’t speak any English, and since Queenie was in the back of the bus, I (Paul) turned into the official translator. The lady was a Christian and very excited to learn that we too are Christians. In the end all she wanted to do was hug Yvonne and she felt they were sisters.

Chiang Kai Shek memorial is grand. Two identical buildings, the National Theater on the right and the National concert hall on the left, flank the memorial. The wide-open space in the front of the hall is also impressive. There were the students practicing their mass dance maneuvers, and the sun was really bright. We watched the students for a long while, walked through the gardens and the parks and went to the museum at the bottom of the memorial.

(Dad and Chiang Kai Shek's Car)

Sadly the memorial hall was being renovated so we could not go up the steps or inside and we could not watch the changing of the guards. Dad and Yvonne enjoyed walking through the museum, which outlines Chiang Kai Shek’s life and contribution to Taiwan. Unfortunately his name is becoming a divisive figure in the Taiwan political landscape and there are moves afoot to change the name of the memorial to Freedom Hall.

The Sushi Express

After spending some time in the museum, we walked up Hsin Yi road to Yong Kang Street where we stopped off in the Sushi Express for lunch. Now although Dad and Yvonne had been real troopers about the food, I think they were starting to long for some good old western fair. Dad’s theory about sushi is that it is a small piece of fish on a big portion of rice only and that when you have a drink, the liquid swells up the rice to make you feel full. But after an hour and a bathroom break you will feel hungry again! We had a good debate about sushi and the need to try different foods but in the end we promised them steak for dinner.

During the meal Yvonne decided to walk around outside and to look at the neighborhood. Unfortunately, as she was doing this she slipped and fell and grazed herself quite badly. She was surprised at how quickly people around her came to her aid. Taiwanese people are like that. Whenever we are in distress they help.

I (Paul) remember the first day I came to Taiwan. I was still trying to find my hostel. I walked into the train station to get directions. The lady I asked couldn’t speak English but I did have the address in Chinese. Within the blink of an eye she grabbed one of my bags, indicated I should follow her, and was gone. She walked me, and my bag all the way to the hostel.

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

(Sun Yat Sen Memorial)

So after we patched up Yvonne’s knee we jumped into the taxi and headed off to Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall. Once again there is a big garden outside the hall and we spent a considerable time walking around there. Dad of course found a bunch of people to talk to. In this case it was a group of teenage girls. I (Paul) wasn’t with them so I couldn’t translate and Dad said they couldn’t speak English. No matter, Dad still felt great that they tried to communicate with him.

(Dad and his new friends)


(Dad and the Philosopher)

I managed to get a good rest on the island in the middle of the lake. I just lay down on one of the benches and waited for Dad and Yvonne to finish their meanderings through the garden. The gardens are big and they both love the vegetation. It was good for me to relax there. Our lives are always busy and to find moments in time when there is nothing to do is like finding the only pearl in a million oysters.

We finally went into the hall and quite coincidentally ran into the changing of the guards. As it is in most countries the changing of the guards is an impressive routine. This one lasted for ten minutes (approximately) and I am always amazed when I see how they twirl those heavy rifles with one hand. I often think the guards’ wrists will snap off, but of course they never do.

We then meandered across the Hsin Yi district, through the department stores, to 101. On the way we stopped to price some of the clothes and a golf shirt for a man in one shop cost around NTD15,000 (USD500). Fairly expensive but that is the Hsin Yi district for you. Actually I am always amazed at the number of such high-end department stores in Taipei and by the fact that they can survive since they are all so expensive.

101

(101 Reaching for the Sky)

The top of 101 is always exciting. I love going up there and just sitting down and watching the city below. It makes me feel quite at home and reminds me of my first night in Taipei (December 22, 1998) when I went to the top of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi building, which was then the tallest building in town. The views from 101 are spectacular. The sky was clear enough that we could see the ocean near Tamsui.

(Looking out to Tamsui)


(View from the top of 101)

We also decided to pay the extra money to go onto the outdoor viewing deck. The first time we went there was with Luis, a friend we knew from China. On that occasion there was quite a wind. On the other occasions we have been on the viewing deck the wind was not nearly as strong. Of course there are long, narrow bars with narrow gaps dissuading people from suicide attempts and security guards walking around to make sure no one is trying to jump.

After walking around for some time, we went to watch the movie that shows the building of 101 and then returned to the indoor viewing deck to watch the sunset and the night-lights. Being summer we had to wait quite a long time but eventually the sun did go down and we got to see the spectacle that is Taipei by night.

A Final Culture Shock

We ended the day by shopping in Jason’s, a western specialty store and then going over to the Red Kitchen for a good steak. This was the final cultural adjustment my poor father had to make. They served warm beer in small glasses with ice-cubes. I think I have never seen Dad so shocked at the desecration of beer…The perils of travel I tell you!That’s it folks,

Until the next time,

Queenie and Paul

Dad in the East 3: From the Grand to Snake Alley

Hi All,

(Entrance to Snake Alley)

When people come to Taipei, there are certain places they must see. Two of those places are the Grand Hotel and Snake Alley. They represent vastly contrasting views of Taiwan. The first is a luxury hotel that presents a grand history of wealth and opulence and was commissioned by Madame Chiang Kai Shek herself. The second is a night market tagged onto a temple and the red light district in the heart of old Taipei.

(The Grand Hotel)

The Grand Hotel

We decided to head off to the Grand Hotel for the afternoon tea buffet and then go to Snake Alley to see the contrast afterwards. Of course, before actually entering snake alley we also visited the famous Longshan Temple too.

The foyer to the Grand Hotel is impressive. I read that it used to be one of the largest foyers in the world. It impresses all first time visitors. The foyer is decorated in a rich red carpet and the typical Chinese décor adds to the opulence. Dad and Yvonne were no different to anyone else visiting for the first time. It took them ten minutes to get through the door. Yes, they thought it was amazing.

Well once they got through the door we found the restaurant on the left side of the foyer where the afternoon tea buffet would be. Of course we made reservations but being a Tuesday it was hardly necessary. There were plenty of chairs available.

We made ourselves comfortable in our seats and while Dad and Yvonne continued to be amazed by the size of the foyer and the whole layout of the hotel, I decided to start eating. The food was spectacular Chinese cuisine with some Japanese sushi thrown in. I don’t remember there being too many western dishes available.

In the background were two people strumming away on traditional Chinese instruments. We really felt that we had been taken back a few decades to some great and grand colonial era.

(Two Musicians)

Sitting opposite us was a family with a young lady who has Downs Syndrome. Yvonne has a nephew who also suffers from Downs and therefore has a lot of compassion and understanding for people with this Syndrome. She of course made friends with the family and told them about her own nephew. She said these families like to know that they are not alone in the world and that people with Downs also like to know other people with the same condition. So we took a picture of her, got her address and promised to return a picture to her of Sean, Yvonne’s nephew.

(Dad, Yvonne and Family)

Well, after sitting and eating for more than an hour, Dad and Yvonne went exploring in the hotel. It is almost like a museum and they do allow tourists to wander around the public areas. We must have stayed there for quite some time looking around. After Dad and Yvonne bought some trinkets and wandered around for an hour we left the hotel and headed out to Wenhua District where Snake Alley and Longshan are located.

Longshan Temple

We first spent some time in Longshan Temple. Once again this is usually a major cultural adjustment for most Westerners. The busyness of these large temples is something to behold. The place was half full, not bad considering it was a Tuesday afternoon. Patrons were practicing the traditional worship rituals that included doing Bai Bai prayers with incense, throwing down lucky beads and determining their fortunes in other ways.

(People Worshipping in Longshan Temple)

Dad being a builder was interested in the intricacy of the carvings on the wall. Longshan temple is old and impressive. He also got chatting with an elderly man about the state of the world. This man couldn’t speak much English but did want to introduce Buddhism to us, and the importance of peace on Earth.

(Longshan Temple)

Snake Alley

When Dad and Yvonne tired of watching the different rituals, we went across the road to the Snake Alley night market. Before we entered the Alley we met a very friendly vendor who was only too happy to introduce herself and her wares. She is typical of the vendors in Taiwanese night markets who serve with happy faces and do not try to rip off foreigners.

After leaving the vendor we finally went inside Snake Alley. Dad has longed to come to this night market for many years. When I first came to Taiwan he had a friend who came here on a business trip and told him about the place. Ever since then he wanted to come see for himself. Fortunately we never saw any snakes being slaughtered live but we did see a video at one of the stores showing how they do it. This utterly disgusted Dad as they pull the heart out of the snake while the snake is still alive.

The video below shows an inside view of snake alley outside one of the many many fish restaurants. Lots of seafood is sold alongside the snake meat and blood. Anyway, it gives you an excellent overview of the inside of the alley. This is on a Tuesday night so it was not too busy.

We spent a good time walking through the market and came to the end all hot and flustered. At the end of the walk we found a small fruit juice shop where we paused for some refreshments and just watched the crowd go by. It was here that Dad gave me his comments on the place.

We finally ended the evening by going back out the main entrance of the market and walking through the small allies that are the heart of the red light district in this small neighborhood. I was actually quite surprised we were offered some “tea” because Yvonne was with us. On second thoughts we should have gone in and had a chat so Dad and Yvonne could see the other side of Taipei, but we didn’t. It was an interesting way to the end the day.

We finally got home at around 9:00 pm after a very busy and rewarding day.

Until the next time,

Queenie and Paul

Dad in the East 2: A Day in the Clouds

A trip to Wulai, South of Taipei....

(Dad and Yvonne in Wulai)

Getting There

After Dad and Yvonne had been in country for a few days, they wanted to get out of the city and into the country. So we decided to go to Wulai, a small Atayal village nestled beneath a waterfall about an hour South of Taipei. So we caught the MRT to Hsin Tien and jumped on the bus.

The weather on the day started out great but as we got closer to Wulai the weather started to come in and the rain came. A little summer rain in Taipei is not enough to deter intrepid travelers like us. And besides, we were already in Wulai.

Of course the bus ride as usual was stunning. Driving on road that runs to Wulai in the valley next to the river is beautiful. The natural beauty of the road up to Wulai amazed both Dad and Yvonne. It is always difficult to believe that such places exist when living in the congestion of Taipei. A little effort is all that is needed and a person can be away from the bustling crowds.

(On the road to Wulai)

The Atayal Village

After a 90-minute journey we arrived in Wulai. We walked through the small, narrow streets and Dad and Yvonne tinkered around the little shops buying some trinkets and knick-knacks. Yvonne bought a traditional Atayal hat that she wore all the way on the Journey.

What I haven’t seen there before was the Atayal museum. The Atayal people used to be headhunters apparently. And the village is like any other tourist village in the world. But never the less, it is quaintly nestled in the valley with the river running next to it. While we were there we also tried some special almond milk. I remember thinking it was heavenly. Dad and Yvonne also stopped and chatted with lots of the local folk. Of course this was challenging but I managed to translate for them.

(Dad and Yvonne outside the Museum)


(New Friends)

After hanging out in the village for about an hour, we caught a taxi to the waterfall. The taxi driver was a hoot. He told us that he had a wife but that he also had a number of girlfriends. He also mentioned that his wife didn't seem to mind too much and he said that is the way of a real man.

The Top of the Waterfall

(Dad and Yvonne at the Top)

We finally got to the waterfall. A cable car takes people to the top of the waterfall where there is a restaurant, pond and some other activities. We decided to eat at the top so bought the cable car tickets and tickets for lunch

The cable car ride is always fun but it was the first time I was doing it in the rain. Dad and Yvonne also managed to make friends with a bunch of kids in the cable car and, even when we arrived at the top, managed to initiate a language exchange. It was really amusing. We spent some time looking at the view from the cable car station and then headed off for lunch.

(Language Exchange Partners)

The coy fish in all the ponds fascinated Dad and Yvonne and so getting to the hotel took a lot longer than we thought it would. We finally arrived and had a great traditional Taiwanese lunch. We had a great time just relaxing in the hotel dining room.

(Dad Feeding the Coy)

(Lunch)

Nearly Headless Paul

My one abiding memory from Wulai will always be my first trip there. Queenie first took me there in 2000. At that time there was a small amusement park at the top of the falls. In the theme park was a roller coaster that seemed a bit small but the attendant assured me that I could go on it. So I did. Well, I remember going over one of the rises on the roller coaster and as we came down the other side I saw a steel bar running across the tracks precisely at the height of my head. I managed to duck really quickly and kept as low as I could for the rest of the way. I don’t think the roller coaster is there anymore.

The Obstacle Course

After the meal we went walking on some of the trails at the top of mountain. There is also an obstacle course so we decided to try our luck on the course. We used a considerable amount of energy pulling ourselves over the different obstacles but it was fun. I was most impressed with my father who, even though had a sore knee, still managed to climb over the obstacles.

(Dad on the Obstacle Course)

After walking around at the top for sometime the rain started to come down in buckets. We had to flee. By the time we found some shelter we were completely drenched. Bt by that stage we were really in a rush to get home because we needed to meet Queenie’s family for dinner. So we trudged through the rain to the cable car station.

(The Weather Turned)

The End of the Day

We took another 70 minutes on the bus to get back to Gongguan and then walked through the university home. It was a great day in the clouds above the waterfall. Everyone usually has a great time there. If you have some time it is a great day trip. You might even try the hot-springs, which are also great but we never got to try

Anyway, that's it for this time

See our Taipei and Taiwan Travel Guide for more day trips outside Taipei

Dad in the East 1: The First Few Days

Hi All,

(Paul and Dad in our Alley)

Arriving

I (Paul) have now lived in Taiwan for nearly nine years. Queenie and I have known each other for eight of those nine years and been married a little over five years. In all this time the only person from my family to visit me was my mother so of course, when my dad said he wanted to come over to see us we were thrilled.

Dad and his wife Yvonne came when it was best for me (after my exams) in the middle of the summer heat. Taipei in summer can be hot, but we have air-conditioners in our homes here (unlike South Africa) so the heat is bearable.

Dad and Yvonne flew into Taipei on a typical summers day. I (Paul) went down to the airport to meet them and of course we were excited. When they finally came out of the gates they had big wide grins on their faces and I think they never really knew what to expect. Here they were, the first time in the East, and far from anything they had experienced before. Of course, before we got into the cab to drive home, they needed a cup of coffee. So we did! They also wanted to stretch their legs since those flights from South Africa to Taipei are long and convoluted.

After coffee we got into one of the hotel taxis and headed off home. They were bristling with questions about Taipei and Taiwan. Taipei is a magic city and Taiwan an amazing country. And we love to have visitors and to show them around. They were going to be here in Taiwan for two weeks and spend one week in Hong Kong. Of course, we had a schedule planned but it would be up to them. I (Paul) had also taken a couple of weeks off work to spend with them.

During the taxi ride home I managed to give them a brief introduction to this country we love, but they were more amazed by the sheer congestion of homes and streets. It is difficult to convey to people the level of congestion in Taipei and Taiwan. To think that this country has (I think) in excess of 24 million people on a little stretch of land that at its longest is about 400 km and widest is about 300 km is difficult. The only way to understand it is to come and see for your self!

I think they had trepidations about the place in which we lived and thought we lived in a shoebox. After navigating the taxi through the alleys and lanes to our home, they were shocked by how big it is. My father kept on saying he expected something smaller.

The first day with them was very relaxed. We just sat around the house and talked about things in South Africa. Of course we compared the economies and the living standards and the crime rates and the congestion. These are the things travelers do. We always seem to use the place in which we were born or have lived for a long time as the measuring yardstick for all other experiences. Having lived in Taiwan for a long time now I am out of the habit of comparing Taiwan to South Africa and compare everything to Taiwan. Taiwan is my new yardstick.

To Gongguan and Back Again

After relaxing at home we took Dad and Yvonne for a walk through the Taiwan University grounds, which is at the back of our home. The Taiwan University (Tai-Da) is a green belt in the city. It has a lot of vegetation and greenery. There is even a pond with ducks and fish and it is a great place to let people walk off jet-weary feet.



After that we headed out into the Gongguan night market on Roosevelt Road. We spent some time hanging out in a teashop that had a great view of the streets. Dad and Yvonne could not stop staring at the motorcycles and the people. Gongguan on a Saturday night is impressive. There are just so many people. Sometimes I am amazed we can walk through the market, but somehow the crowd moves and we move with them.


(Gongguan Night Market)

I must confess that when I (Paul) first came to Taipei, I used to be amazed by the congestion too. When I first came here I lived in the Happy Family II hostel on the corner of Chung Shan North Road and Civil Boulevard. I used to walk over the bridge (that has since been knocked down) between the train station and Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store and just stare at the people. So Dad and Yvonne’s surprise at the congestion of people did not surprise me at all.

After walking through the market we got them a helping of gua-bau (Chinese hamburger) and zhong zi (traditional food eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival). Now both these foods can look rather odd to a Western person and we think it was with much skeptism that they ate the food. To give them credit they did seem to enjoy it at the end and they were full, which is important I guess.


(Zhong zi and Gua-bau)

The Flower and Jade Market

On the second day, the Sunday, they didn’t want a hectic schedule. They did want breakfast and asked what we had! Of course, we don’t cook and so we had nothing! They were shocked. They wanted toast. There was none! They wanted to buy us a toaster, but we said there was no need as we would never use it. Rather, we went down stairs to our local breakfast shop and got them some egg rolls, hash browns and fried carrot cakes. Once again they were amazed by the food and what we ate on a regular diet.

So after our hearty breakfast we headed off to the Chien Kuo flower market and jade market. Dad and Yvonne are very used to the nurseries in South Africa but here in Taipei, if we want to buy flowers, we go to the Chien Kuo flower market. They have all variety of flowers and trees including orchids and bonsai. Yvonne and my father were so impressed with the flower market that on their second Sunday in Taipei we took them there again. My father also bought us a wonderful water fountain as a belated wedding gift that stands proudly in our living room.


(Dad and a Bonsai Tree in the Chien Kuo Flower Market)

The jade market was also a unique experience for them. There is not much jade in South Africa and even the jade in Taiwan can be expensive. Unfortunately, if you don’t know what you are looking at you could very easily buy fake jade (which is common). To buy jade in Taiwan it is best to find someone who knows about jade (not us) and ask them for help.

The Subway and Church

My Dad and Yvonne were also curious about the MRT system in Taiwan. So I took them to the above ground rail and we took a ride through the city to the zoo, and back again. Once again the level of organization, cleanliness and the way in which people are respectful of each other even though it is crowded amazed them.


(On the Mucha MRT)


In the evening we headed off to Church. There my Dad and Yvonne met many of our close friends and they were fortunate because that evening our Church had their outdoor café. They had the opportunity to mix and mingle with a lot of the people.



So the first few days for them were a success. The crowds amazed them and the friendliness of the Taiwanese people stunned them. The general cleanliness of most places was unexpected and we think (hope) that those two days did not shell shock them too much.

Until the next time everyone,

Ciao

Queenie and Paul