2004-11-20 17:00:11設計師 in dreams.
report
when i go oversea,
1. how would i introduce Taiwan?
2. what is 冬至? explain
3. Introduce Dihua street interestly
list:
snacks used in my family in Chinese New Year? C/E
http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp
Most people think of Dihua Street as the best place for shopping for Chinese New Year's goods, but the street is not only busy immediately before the Chinese New Year. Throughout the year, Dihua Street serves as an important market for cloth, Chinese herbal medicine and other goods from China and other countries. While strolling down the street, visitors can also discover many old buildings, some constructed in a unique Baroque style from the beginning of the last century.
On offer are several hundred different ingredients for Chinese medicine, a cornucopia of rare grains, most traditional produce, snacks, spices and the latest imported canned foods. A lot of things you won't find anywhere else you can discover on Dihua Street. Prior to Chinese New Year, the area is literally jam-packed with shoppers, but has a leisurely atmosphere the rest of the year. completely overcrowded, Dihua Street is an ideal place for taking in some of Taipei's old street charm, and going on a treasure hunt for unusual and interesting items.
Chinese New Year in Taipei would not be complete without a shopping trip to Datong district's historic Dihua Street for some traditional New Year snacks. While Taipei empties out significantly over the Spring Festival—which this year will be observed from January 21st - 26th—on the days and nights leading up to it, Dihua Street is a sea of people buying, hawking, and sampling all sorts of wonderful tasty snacks. Taiwan Ho! went up to Dihua Street one recent evening to poke around a little and get some pistachio nuts, dried squid, and most importantly, the Dihua Street story.
Dihua Street is a tiny, normally unassuming stretch of road in one of Taipei's oldest neighborhoods. But for New Year, vendors spill out of their storefronts and set up shop along both sidewalks; the hundreds of bins filled with various nuts, dried goods, and sweets mean there is even less room to navigate. Claustrophobes take note; Dihua Street is not for the faint of heart. At first, all the people make the experience a little overwhelming, like how you might feel at a bustling night market, but it is not too difficult to get caught up in the festive atmosphere and drift along in the crowd, soaking everything in. The sights, sounds, and smells on this street are incredible.
As I shuffled along with my fellow shoppers, I noticed that I was mostly walking on a bed of discarded paper cups, nutshells, candy wrappers and other bits. It was not hard to figure out why the floor was littered so. Sampling is the rule on Dihua Street as merchants entice you with all sorts of free goodies in hopes of making a sale. The leftovers and remainders usually find their way underfoot, creating the pleasing crunchy effect. I shuffled a little, crunched a little, sampled a little, and in no time at all started to feel nice and satiated, albeit still somewhat harried in the thick of it all.
Not only are the crowds on Dihua Street overwhelming, the snacks can be too. There was so much on offer, such an incredible variety to choose from, it was difficult to know exactly where, and how, to start. I think the trick is to put any inhibitions aside and jump right in. At first, when asked to try a sample, I would often decline, as I thought it would mean that I was expected to make a purchase. But this is not the case on Dihua Street at all! Try what is offered you, smile, exchange a friendly word, and if you like it and want to buy some of what they are selling, do it! If not, then just continue on. Don't let the din from obnoxious megaphones put you off—while the vendors can be extremely loud and perhaps a tad bit pushy in their sales pitches, remember that it is Chinese New Year and spirits are especially high. Enjoyment and merriment rule on Dihua Street, so have fun!
So what exactly can you get to snack on over Chinese New Year? The aforementioned pistachios are my personal favorite. They usually cost about 120-150 NT per bag, so I was surprised when I passed one stall and saw them for 100 NT. “From America. Very good!” I was told. Compared with a few years ago, the vendors on Dihua Street seemed more excited to speak English with me, no matter how broken it was. Smiling, I was ready to believe him and make a purchase but then he showed me the bag, on the back of which was stamped “Product of Iran”. I chuckled, sampled an Iranian-American pistachio or two, and walked on in search of more goodies.
In addition to pistachios, tasty watermelon seeds can be had for around 80 NT a bag, but chances are you will waste half of them perfecting your seed-opening technique. Dried fruits and vegetables—mangoes, bananas, apples, peaches, taro, and much, much more—are somewhat pricier. I got a very small bag of bananas and mangoes for 200 NT, but they are oh so lovely. Dried squid costs about the same as dried fruit, but 100 NT should be more than enough to keep New Year’s visitors content. Squid smells…good. Bad news for those with a sweet tooth—bins upon bins of chocolates, sweets, yogurt covered raisins, and more beckon here. The treadmill can wait. Plus, there are traditional dried mushrooms, fruit and almond teas, fishy delicacies, sausages, and other meaty treats. Basically, one does not want for snacking options on Dihua Street.
Crowds will continue to pack Dihua Street until New Year’s Eve on January 21. Make sure you are among them.
The Hows and Whats of Dihua Street:
Getting to Dihua Street is relatively convenient on the Metro (MRT). Get off at Shuanglien Station on the Danshui / Hsintien line and turn left out of exit #2. Walk 50 yards or so to the bus stop from where you can take the 518 bus west along Minsheng West Rd. to the Dihua St. intersection. The Capital Bus company runs a festive 518 Lunar New Year Shop-Around Special Bus and even has employees working at the bus stops. The drivers on this route are very helpful in directing you to Dihua Street and other attractions. They are also dressed in tradition Chinese costume.
Because Dihua Street is a traditional market, the common unit of measure there is the catty or "jin". The jin is equal to about a pound and 1/3 or 2/3 of a kilogram. So whether you buy by the “jin” or by the NT, just buy! However, it’s easy to get a little carried away, especially when the vendors are so darn cute, so remember to budget.
Despite the mild warnings in our recent News Roundup stories entitled "The Hazards of Holiday Snacking" and "More Snack Hazards" , shopping at Dihua Street should not be missed. Be sure to keep an eye on your personal belongings and of course avoid dipping your hand into any bin or taking a sample that you just witnessed someone sneezing on. Apart from that, roll up your sleeves, take a deep breath, and get in there. It's Chinese New Year after all!
1. how would i introduce Taiwan?
2. what is 冬至? explain
3. Introduce Dihua street interestly
list:
snacks used in my family in Chinese New Year? C/E
http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp
Most people think of Dihua Street as the best place for shopping for Chinese New Year's goods, but the street is not only busy immediately before the Chinese New Year. Throughout the year, Dihua Street serves as an important market for cloth, Chinese herbal medicine and other goods from China and other countries. While strolling down the street, visitors can also discover many old buildings, some constructed in a unique Baroque style from the beginning of the last century.
On offer are several hundred different ingredients for Chinese medicine, a cornucopia of rare grains, most traditional produce, snacks, spices and the latest imported canned foods. A lot of things you won't find anywhere else you can discover on Dihua Street. Prior to Chinese New Year, the area is literally jam-packed with shoppers, but has a leisurely atmosphere the rest of the year. completely overcrowded, Dihua Street is an ideal place for taking in some of Taipei's old street charm, and going on a treasure hunt for unusual and interesting items.
Chinese New Year in Taipei would not be complete without a shopping trip to Datong district's historic Dihua Street for some traditional New Year snacks. While Taipei empties out significantly over the Spring Festival—which this year will be observed from January 21st - 26th—on the days and nights leading up to it, Dihua Street is a sea of people buying, hawking, and sampling all sorts of wonderful tasty snacks. Taiwan Ho! went up to Dihua Street one recent evening to poke around a little and get some pistachio nuts, dried squid, and most importantly, the Dihua Street story.
Dihua Street is a tiny, normally unassuming stretch of road in one of Taipei's oldest neighborhoods. But for New Year, vendors spill out of their storefronts and set up shop along both sidewalks; the hundreds of bins filled with various nuts, dried goods, and sweets mean there is even less room to navigate. Claustrophobes take note; Dihua Street is not for the faint of heart. At first, all the people make the experience a little overwhelming, like how you might feel at a bustling night market, but it is not too difficult to get caught up in the festive atmosphere and drift along in the crowd, soaking everything in. The sights, sounds, and smells on this street are incredible.
As I shuffled along with my fellow shoppers, I noticed that I was mostly walking on a bed of discarded paper cups, nutshells, candy wrappers and other bits. It was not hard to figure out why the floor was littered so. Sampling is the rule on Dihua Street as merchants entice you with all sorts of free goodies in hopes of making a sale. The leftovers and remainders usually find their way underfoot, creating the pleasing crunchy effect. I shuffled a little, crunched a little, sampled a little, and in no time at all started to feel nice and satiated, albeit still somewhat harried in the thick of it all.
Not only are the crowds on Dihua Street overwhelming, the snacks can be too. There was so much on offer, such an incredible variety to choose from, it was difficult to know exactly where, and how, to start. I think the trick is to put any inhibitions aside and jump right in. At first, when asked to try a sample, I would often decline, as I thought it would mean that I was expected to make a purchase. But this is not the case on Dihua Street at all! Try what is offered you, smile, exchange a friendly word, and if you like it and want to buy some of what they are selling, do it! If not, then just continue on. Don't let the din from obnoxious megaphones put you off—while the vendors can be extremely loud and perhaps a tad bit pushy in their sales pitches, remember that it is Chinese New Year and spirits are especially high. Enjoyment and merriment rule on Dihua Street, so have fun!
So what exactly can you get to snack on over Chinese New Year? The aforementioned pistachios are my personal favorite. They usually cost about 120-150 NT per bag, so I was surprised when I passed one stall and saw them for 100 NT. “From America. Very good!” I was told. Compared with a few years ago, the vendors on Dihua Street seemed more excited to speak English with me, no matter how broken it was. Smiling, I was ready to believe him and make a purchase but then he showed me the bag, on the back of which was stamped “Product of Iran”. I chuckled, sampled an Iranian-American pistachio or two, and walked on in search of more goodies.
In addition to pistachios, tasty watermelon seeds can be had for around 80 NT a bag, but chances are you will waste half of them perfecting your seed-opening technique. Dried fruits and vegetables—mangoes, bananas, apples, peaches, taro, and much, much more—are somewhat pricier. I got a very small bag of bananas and mangoes for 200 NT, but they are oh so lovely. Dried squid costs about the same as dried fruit, but 100 NT should be more than enough to keep New Year’s visitors content. Squid smells…good. Bad news for those with a sweet tooth—bins upon bins of chocolates, sweets, yogurt covered raisins, and more beckon here. The treadmill can wait. Plus, there are traditional dried mushrooms, fruit and almond teas, fishy delicacies, sausages, and other meaty treats. Basically, one does not want for snacking options on Dihua Street.
Crowds will continue to pack Dihua Street until New Year’s Eve on January 21. Make sure you are among them.
The Hows and Whats of Dihua Street:
Getting to Dihua Street is relatively convenient on the Metro (MRT). Get off at Shuanglien Station on the Danshui / Hsintien line and turn left out of exit #2. Walk 50 yards or so to the bus stop from where you can take the 518 bus west along Minsheng West Rd. to the Dihua St. intersection. The Capital Bus company runs a festive 518 Lunar New Year Shop-Around Special Bus and even has employees working at the bus stops. The drivers on this route are very helpful in directing you to Dihua Street and other attractions. They are also dressed in tradition Chinese costume.
Because Dihua Street is a traditional market, the common unit of measure there is the catty or "jin". The jin is equal to about a pound and 1/3 or 2/3 of a kilogram. So whether you buy by the “jin” or by the NT, just buy! However, it’s easy to get a little carried away, especially when the vendors are so darn cute, so remember to budget.
Despite the mild warnings in our recent News Roundup stories entitled "The Hazards of Holiday Snacking" and "More Snack Hazards" , shopping at Dihua Street should not be missed. Be sure to keep an eye on your personal belongings and of course avoid dipping your hand into any bin or taking a sample that you just witnessed someone sneezing on. Apart from that, roll up your sleeves, take a deep breath, and get in there. It's Chinese New Year after all!