My life can be explained in two different parts: before Taiwan and after. It has already been about five years since I left South Korea, my native country, to study in Taiwan. In 6th grade, I visited Taiwan a few days before transferring to the new school.
To gain more experience in Taiwan prior to starting school, my mom and I decided to take a trip to Taipei. Little did I know then that the trip would turn out to be a significant turning point in my life. My initial impression of Taiwan is still with me today.
On the day of the trip, the skies were clear blue, and birds chirped away under the warm sunshine. I still remember the exact date; it was the 14th of April in 2019, and my mom and I were bored staying indoors every day, so we decided to explore Taipei.
Everything was peaceful until we researched the bus station and faced our first unforeseen challenge on this trip: the language barrier. We could not read or speak Chinese, but the city’s map was only written in Chinese without an English translation of the stations’ names. The breeze, which had felt pleasantly warm, all of a sudden felt like it was burning me, and I stood in the heat, wiping the sweat off my forehead that was clearly caused by the unavoidable stress of the moment.
When we struggled to translate the words on the map, one stranger at the bus station noticed us. She knew we were foreigners and asked if we needed any help. I explained that we were trying to go to Taipei but could not read the map. Soon, many others at the station had gathered around us. My mom and I were standing to the side awkwardly while the people put their heads together to discuss which bus we should take.
All around us, the air was filled with chitter chatter of a language that I knew was Mandarin, but at the time, my ears could only register it as gibberish. Several minutes later, one girl approached me and explained the various ways of getting to our destination. When I got on the bus later, I realized that she was also going in the same direction, and she kindly told me when it was time to get off the bus.
My mom and I would have gotten lost without the people’s help, but we could reach our destination safely thanks to the caring people. It was touching how strangers we have never met would step out of their way and lend a helping hand. This experience was my first impression of Taiwan, which I still believe is true. For introverted people like me, Taiwan would be the best place to travel since people are attentive and gentle. Not long after I moved to Taiwan, I was still afraid to travel outside my neighborhood. Traveling in unfamiliar lands can be scary and challenging, but in Taiwan, with such gentle people, journeys can be taken without much concern.
On the day I moved to Taipei, I remember how our stomachs were empty and growled like beasts. It was time for dinner, and we needed to figure out what to eat. Then one of the people from the bus station flashed through my mind. It was the girl who recommended us to go to the night market.
It was my first night market experience, so I was thrilled about the sights and authentic food I would try. The first thing that caught my attention after arriving at the Shilin night market, one of the biggest night markets in Taiwan, was the colorful lights of the exterior signages of businesses. The night market was crowded with diverse people from different countries and so loud that I couldn’t hear anything my mom was saying. The next thing that stimulated my senses was the aroma.
At one point in the night market, some strong sense of smell amazed all of us. It was the stinky tofu. The scent was not pleasing, but I decided to try it. The fried stinky tofu was served with pickled vegetables, and I could no longer smell the stinky odor. As I took a bite, the hot soft tofu broke through the crispy skin and warmed my mouth.
It was a meaningful experience, and I learned not to judge a book by its cover. Like the stinky tofu, I tried many other foods I had never had, like tanghulu, jipai, and rolled ice cream. The food in the night market felt familiar but also differed from what I used to eat back in Korea. Trying local Taiwanese food will give opportunities to gain new experiences and ideas. And most importantly, Taiwanese food is as lovely and warm as its people.
Stepping out of my comfort zone and going on adventures used to be the most complex challenge of my life, but the people here and the food I tasted from the night market gave me a chance to overcome this struggle. Taiwan is my second home, so I feel personally connected to this country. Therefore, as written above, Taiwan would be the best travel destination for any of us. If you are looking for a country that is vibrant and makes you feel at home simultaneously, Taiwan would be the perfect choice!
By: Hyunjin Lee
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