Two weeks into September my grandmother calls me. She went to the little bog twenty minutes from her house to scout. Some cranberries were already dark red, others will probably take another week or two. Am I free next Sunday? September is the peak foraging month in Estonia. The short Nordic summer has left the shadowy forest floors and sinking … Read More
Keelung’s Bakery and Traditional Sweets Mrs Kang and her Zhongqi Western Bread Upon entering Mrs Kang’s shop on Keelung’s Yiqi Road, the smell of fresh bakery entices my nostrils. Then, I notice the shiny wide ovens, the steaming pots and other traditional tools. I know I’ve found the right spot to taste some Taiwanese traditional sweets. Even though Mrs Kang’s … Read More
My stomach tends to wake up before me, with a summons trembling throughout my entire being and calling me towards breakfast. I find my only salvation in food… good food. Food to lift the spirits Fortunately for me, Keelung’s doors open as the sun rises, lighting the way down the river and to the Xinyi market, one of Keelung’s best … Read More
Koufu food & Huilong Market The second generation owner of Koufu Food, Chen Yuan Yuan On a cool afternoon in Keelung, Taiwan, the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air as we make our way to Koufu Food (口福食品) on Ren’er Road, where fried twisted dough and buns have become synonymous with the bakery. However, the second-generation owner, Chen … Read More
The Culture of Traditional Markets: History Lessons from a Butcher in Huilong Market Culture of Taiwan’s Traditional Markets | Characteristics of Taiwan’s Traditional Markets | Disappearing Traditional Markets | History of Taiwan’s Traditional Markets Compared its heydays, Huilong Market is finding it harder to attract passerby and a steady stream of patrons. The vendors instead rely on their regulars to … Read More
How did I get to Keelung and heard about Pudu? Six months ago, I decided I wanted to travel to East Asia. I didn’t know where I wanted to go, but with a newly earned bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies and an interest in conducting research, I knew I wanted to immerse myself in a culture I had never experienced … Read More
The Keelung Night Parade takes place two weeks after the end of the Ghost Month. When the time comes, huge dancing figures take over the streets of Keelung. The entire city gets wrapped by the smoke from firecrackers and the smell of incense. The usual noise of the motorcycles is replaced by melodies from trumpets and drums. And people of … Read More
Visiting Keelung History Up Close Before we get to the Ershawan Fort in Keelung, let’s talk history. If you’ve ever been sightseeing in Taipei, you’ve probably noticed that there are hardly any pre-World War II sites left. Taipei is, generally speaking, a city that was deprived of its historical shape by the politics Kuomintang Party governing after the war. It … Read More
Are Aboriginal Taiwanese the ancestors of Polynesians? I explored this claim during my recent visit to Keelung. I’ve been traveling with my family for two years around Asia and the Pacific. Learning about history and culture while we travel is always an interesting way to know more about a place. Coming to Taiwan presented me with the opportunity to explore … Read More
For musician Chen Wen-Ji, Beiguan music was a chance discovery that led to a lifelong love affair. Origins of Beiguan Music In a cramped room with no heating or light, I sat with my friend Mila across Chen Wen-Ji in an informal interview setting. Distant suonas (嗩呐) cut through the air with its uniquely loud screeching, gus (鼓; drums) … Read More