cultural distinctions

I am once reiterating my inability to fit into Taiwanese culture - especially among the youth. I don't know if I can really classify myself as youth anymore now that I'm in my early 20's. 我又注意到我跟台灣的年輕人環境格格不入 (I only got this sentence right thanks for my sister). But nonetheless, I shall categorize "youth" as late teens to mid 20s. Why the sudden return of this insecurity? 為什麼又想到這些無ㄝ謀ㄝ的? This afternoon, I went to a popular youth hang out spot - XiMengDing 西門町 - a pedestrian zone known for the trendy and usually affordable shops. I left my mom this afternoon from SOGO and departed to meet a friend (finally!) at this popular spot. Once I MRT-ed there, I was instantly surrounded by young people...whom I believe are probably younger than me by their appearance and behaviour. Anyhow, I never really enjoyed going to 西門町 before because of all the people, smokers, and the 怪叔叔, but I went today since I haven't been in a while and to hang out with my friend. The shopping actually was just so-so. Bought some stuff at the Korean Body Shop equivalent called Skin Food and bought a pair of pretty warm gloves for about 8 CAD. Other than that, I didn't see any jewelery or clothes that I liked.

While walking around, I just couldn't help but notice all the young people smoking and swearing. I thought youth have progressed to become a smoke-intolerant cohort, but that wasn't what I witnessed today. From what I remember from my prior trips to Taiwan, the youth seemed more naive and down to earth. Now, the youth seem obsessed with appearances. Call me old fashioned. Maybe I've just outgrown this sort of thing. Maybe I shouldn't be classified as youth anymore. It's no wonder that my friends call me an old soul, 奶奶, 45 year old, etc. There's also no reason why I have to fit in either. But I suppose it's mainly driven by the fact that I don't have many friends here in Taiwan. People identify with a location when there are existing, similar types of people. I love having family here, but I still need people my age that I can identify with to hang out with.

Anyway, I've had my emotion spillage of the day. Before heading to 西門町, I went to XingTian Temple 行天宮 with my mom to "bai bai" (I've mentioned this tradition in my Chinese New Year post). 行天宮 is a temple devoted to Guan Yu 關羽, the patron god to businessmen (thank you wikipedia). It happened to be 關羽's birthday today so there were many people and employees there to wish for good business and obviously fortune. It was extremely crowded and my hair smelled like incense. I'm not sure if I believe in "praying" for good fortune as I find it slightly superstitious. But it's one of those instances when people aren't sure, but do it anyway just in case it does work. It was interesting to see how many people still believe in this tradition and I see it as a distinct part of Taiwanese culture.

People rushing to be the first to stick their incense in at the start of New Years...

OMG Anthony Neely was there!! <3

After 西門町, I had a lovely Indian dinner with my parents in 天母 and it was so delicious. It's been a while since I had such delicious Indian food since Masala Bay in Waterloo. The dessert was the best part. It was this carrot mash with some spices topped off with vanilla ice cream. Sooo goood....I have to go back for more.

Tomorrow, I'm going for lunch at my childhood nanny's house. Can't wait for Peking duck 北京烤鴨! Night time, I'm off to a violin trio concert with my sister at 中正紀念堂.
It's going to be a great weekend hopefully!

Enjoy the fro.

Wow Day 6 already?

This morning I went to the open air market with my mom. I never had fond memories of the market growing up - the crowds, the smells, the noise, the rude old ladies. Did I mention the smells? Well, that remains unchanged and I accept it as a part of Chinese culture (and probably similar in many other cultures). For those who have never been to one of these open air markets, it's really not THAT open air. It's not nice and pretty like a farmers market in North America. The one I went to had a skylight throughout the narrow strip of road with vendors and shops on both sides and even in the middle of the narrow road.

When I was there, I just wanted to get what we needed and get out. I didn't want to linger or anything. My mom just had to get her produce from the vendors furthest from the entrance we entered from (but closest to the exit). While struggling through the crowds, I noticed a cluster of people slowing down. I realized that there was a man on the ground. My first reaction was that he had fallen but no one was helping him. Then I realized he was handicapped and crawling on the ground begging. What was worse was that people were just disregarding him and stepping over him. I almost burst out in tears in the middle of the market. I know it's a common occurrence in many markets, but the disregard for his presence felt so cruel. Unfortunately, I didn't have my wallet on me so I wasn't able to contribute to his cause. I think many people also take this with a grain of salt because there have been incidences when people fake it or are used by "owners" as beggars. But still, the act of crawling on the dirty market floor and begging feels so undignified from my perspective. I don't even know what the man feels, but it must take a lot of courage.

After the exit (more like escape) from the market, I just stayed home, had some lunch, and planned my South East Asia trip with Denise. It's going to be a pretty fabulous trip! I also got a phone call from a friend I haven't seen in a while! The day withered away very quickly at Beard Papa's with a cream puff and a latte. Then it was time for dinner with my parents and another family friend.

 Beard Papa's! 

So delish

dinner.

Finally going to get my hair did tomorrow. I hope it'll look okay.