Download - Centered · This month’s issue of Centered on Taipei is full of ‘Beautiful Taiwan’ events, activities and places to go, especially in Taipei. Read about Rediscovering Dihua

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Centeredon TAIPEI

AUG 2017

Beautiful Taiwan

Vol. 17 | 10

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3www.communitycenter.org.tw AUGUST 2017

cultureRediscovering Dihua Street 10The Art Of Tea: A Ladies’ Tea Ceremony Experience 14

photography Peter Urbach 17

home & gardenDr. Leaf’s Miscellaneous Tips for Indoor Gardening 18

around taipeiWandering around Taipei: Beating the Summer Heat 20

outlookAm I A Control Freak? 22Elder Day Care Centers in Taiwan 24

food & drinksCoffee DPT 25

fashion & beautyWardrobe Tips For Stain Removal 26

travelLanyu (Orchid Island) 28

csc From the Editors 5Kiddies Korner 6Recognizing The Community Services Center’s Volunteers (2006 – 2008)/ Center August Gallery/Morning Book Club: August & September 7 Events about Town 8Typhoon and Earthquake Tips 9 CSC Business Classified 30

C O N T E N T SAugust 2017 volume 17 issue 10

Centered on Taipei is a publication of the Community Services Center, 25, Lane 290, Zhongshan N. Rd., Sec. 6, Tianmu, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 02-2836-8134fax: 02-2835-2530e-mail: [email protected]

Correspondence may be sent to the editor at [email protected]. Freelance writers, photographers and illustrators are welcome to contact the editor to discuss editorial and graphic assignments. Your talent will find a home with us!

Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner.

Community Services Center, TaipeiSuzan BabcockRichard SaundersNaomi [email protected]

Siew Kang, Fred Voigtmann

Farn Mei Printing Co., Ltd.1F, No. 102, Hou Kang Street, Shilin District, TaipeiTel: 02-2882-6748 Fax: 02-2882-6749E-mail: [email protected]

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TIGER TOTS PRESCHOOL

Located in & adjacent to the Taipei American School Campus

• Pre-Two-Year-Old Tigger’s Playgroup• Half/Full-day option for 2’s & 3’s• 2/3/5 days a week option for 2’s• Full-day Pre-K & Kindergarten • Mandarin Playgroups for all ages• Grade School Language & Literacy

• Child-centered American Curriculum• Qualified & Experienced Teachers• Engaging Outdoor Play Spaces• Low Student/Teacher Ratios• International Community Environment• Fun Afternoon Classes for Young Children

We’d love to introduce you to our diverse and incredibly special community of learners!

Please call to arrange a visitation. TYPA Main Office: 2873-1815 www.typa.org.tw

Taipei Youth Program Association

AUGUST 2017 www.communitycenter.org.tw

Everyone needs to know why...We’ll help your whole family prepare for the big adventure.

Crown’s service offerings include:

Go knowing

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COMMUnITy SERVICES CEnTER

Adam McMillan

Grace Ting

I-wen Chan, Katherine Chang, Hui-Shiang Chao, Jung Chin, Chiao-Feng Chung, Cerita Hsu, Carol Lee, Miranda Lin, Emilie Ma, Kuang-Shan Wan

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Monica ChengRosemary Susa

Undine Urbach John ImbrogulioAnne JacquetRaleigh HolmesShan LeeGloria GwoLee Ming Yeh

Miyuki Boice, Daniel Chan, John Imbrogulio, Ann LuFiona Mackelworth, Leslie McFarlane, John McQuadeGloria Peng, Emmy Shih

Bai Win AntiquesEuropean Chamber of CommerceGrand Hyatt Taipei

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Accountant Activities Coordinator Assistant Activities CoordinatorCoffee Mornings Coordinator Cross-cultural TrainerCommunicationsEvents Coordinator Mandarin Chinese TeacherSystems Manager

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The Community Services Center (CSC) is a non-profit foundation. CSC provides outreach and early intervention through counseling, cross-cultural education and life skills programs to meet the needs of the international community in Taipei. CSC offers the opportunity to learn, volunteer, teach and meet others. Check out our website www.communitycenter.org.tw and drop by The Center to chat with us about our programs. you can also email us at [email protected].

COT TEAM

WRITInG AnD PHOTOGRAPHy COnTRIBUTORSSue BabcockDr. Hui-Shiang ChaoAlison DavisZee DlaminiKit FarleyKatie GillNomita Kavra GuptaJoan H. HungryinTaipeiJulie HuRika IshidaOlivia Jen

Sydney KoDr. LeafDr. Ting-Yi LinWayen LinJoseph ReillyRichard SaundersCarol SunRosemary SusaGrace TingPeter UrbachWTIC

We would like to extend an enthusiastic ‘Welcome to Taiwan’ greeting to all the 2017 Summer Universiade Games athletes, their families, coaches, support staff, guests and visitors to what promises to be a sensational 2017 Universiade experience. In its 29th year, the Universiade is smaller in scope only to the Olympic Games. This year’s games will bring nearly 10,000 participating athletes from 150 countries to Taipei. Over seventy venues have been newly constructed or renovated for use during the Games, including the Linkou Athlete’s Village. To keep up with what’s going on from August 18th to 30th, go to: https://www.2017.taipei/home. For the medical hotline call: 1922, or call the Department of Health Epidemic Prevention Hotline: 2375-3782. Since the games will be held during Taiwan’s typhoon season, check out weather updates at: www.weatherunderground.com or www.cby.gov.tw. For local English up-to-date broadcasts tune your radio to ICRT 100.7 FM.

This month’s issue of Centered on Taipei is full of ‘Beautiful Taiwan’ events, activities and places to go, especially in Taipei. Read about Rediscovering Dihua Street through the eyes of a millennial, as she wanders along one of Taipei’s most historic streets. Join the ladies from the Welcome to Taipei International Club (WTIC) as they spend a tranquil afternoon learning about the art of tea from Master Lin, Ku-Fang, a tea master at the Taipei Zhongshan Hall, Tea House. Have an unexpected stain and can’t get to a reliable dry cleaner? Check out Zee’s Fashion and Beauty page on Wardrobe Tips for Stain Removal from fabrics. Dr. Leaf is back with tips on household plants for Taipei living. And finally, follow Richard Saunders' advice to visit Lanyu (Orchid Island), a magical outpost of Taiwan for a memorable travel experience.

If you are in the Tianmu area, please be sure to stop by the Center. We would love to have an opportunity to sit and have a nice chat over a cup of tea, coffee or cool water.

Pick COT up at:Uptown: Community Services Center, No. 25, Lane 290, Sec. 6, Zhongshan North Rd.Sprout – No. 33, Sec. 7, Zhongshan North Rd.George Pai’s Beauty – No. 14, Tienmu East Rd.Downtown:Grandma Nitti’s Kitchen – 8, Lane 93, Shida Rd.Ooh Cha Cha – 207, Sec.2, Nanchang Rd.NakedFood – 22-1, Lane 160, Sec.1, Xingsheng South Rd.Samyama (Art) Co., Ltd. – 2F, No. 1, Lane 119, Sec.1, Daan Rd.

Please send email submissions, comments, and feedback to [email protected].

Sue and Richard

COVER IMAGE: Taiping Mountainby Wayen Lin

For more information, please go to our website atwww.communitycenter.org.tw

Suzan BabcockEditor

[email protected]

KCGraphic Designergraphicdesigntaipei.

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Richard SaundersCo-editor

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Zee DlaminiEditorial intern

Naomi KalyAdvertising Manager

[email protected]

Nomita Kavra Gupta Editorial intern

Sydney Ko Editorial intern

From the

eDitors

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6 AUGUST 2017 www.communitycenter.org.tw

TexT: NomiTa Kavra GupTa

Here are a few places to visit with your busy-bee kids to keep them buzzing!!

WHAT WHY WHEN AND WHERE

2017 Taipei WaTer FesTival

TaiWan inTernaTional Balloon FesTival

Yilan inTernaTional Children’s Folklore & Folk games FesTival

2017 Taipei Children's arT FesTival (TCaF)

The Taipei water park aims to raise awareness about the importance of health, ecosystems, arts and humanities through water-friendly facilities and activities. During the festival, the park’s facilities are open to the public while indigenous song, dance and other performances are held for their entertainment.

Experience a feast for the senses at this annual festival held in Taitung County, as big, beautiful and colorful hot air balloons float through the air above a beautiful valley.The Taiwan International Balloon Festival took off in 2011, and in 2012 it challenged the world record in terms of duration and scale.The festival includes flying shows, moored balloon rides, a “night glow” music concert, balloon wedding celebrations, and a summer camp.

The Yilan County Government is organizing this event to provide children with a unique opportunity to befriend cultures from around the world. This is one of the representative events of UNESCO’s International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF).In contrast with other festivals that focus on a single form of art, it combines multiple forms, including performances, exhibitions and games.

Each year from July to August, Taipei C ity Government unveils the Taipei Children’s Arts Festival (TCAF), hosting a diverse range of art activities across the city for the whole family.T h e t h e m e o f t h e 2017 TC A F i s "B e y o n d Boundaries."The festival features an average of fifty free-entry theatrical works, arts exhibitions, and workshops, and attracts an average of 200,000 participants each year.

Address: Taipei Water Park1 Siyuan StreetMRT: GongguanTimeline: Until August 31sthttp://engwaterpark.water.taipei/https://www.travel.taipei/en/event-calendar/details/9105

Address: Luye Plateau, 7, Lane 392, Longma Road, Luye Township, Taitung County (In front of Lungku Tea Garden) Timeline: Until August 6thPhone: (089) 324-902http://www.eventaiwan.tw/cal_en/cal_20022http://tour.taitung.gov.tw/en-us/Tourist/experience/HotairBalloonhttps://www.facebook.com/balloontaiwan/

Address: Dongshan River Water Park, 2, Qinhe Road, Section 2, Wujie Township, Yilan CountyTimeline: Until August 31st Phone: (03) 932-2440http://www.yicfff.tw/http://eventaiwan.tw/cal_en/cal_20063https://www.facebook.com/YiCFFF

Address: 3F, 99, Civic Boulevard, Section 5, Songshan DistrictTimeline: Until August 6th Phone: (02) 2528-9580 #191-199Email: [email protected]: https://eng.taipeicaf.org/https://www.travel.taipei/en/event-calendar/details/9426http://english.culture.gov.taipei/ct.asp?xitem=1118542&ctNode=30767&mp=119002

Fun Activities for Kiddies

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A percentage of all proceeds of items sold at the Gallery will go to the Center. Please remember that by displaying your items or shopping at the Gallery, you will be helping the Center to continue to provide valuable services to the international community.

aUgUsT gallerY

meko 100% pUre CoConUT WaTerTaiwan sizzles in summer. If you are a newcomer to Taipei, adjusting to the heat of summer will be a challenge. Quenching your thirst is important, and coconut water is one natural choice. Meko is 100% pure coconut water. It has no added sugars, flavors, additives or preservatives, and is packed full of essential electrolytes and antioxidants. Each can of Meko contains pieces of top-quality coconut from Thailand.

a BeaUTiFUl sCarF ColleCTionThis collection has scarves that are perfect for any occasion. In fact, “A scarf has to be the most beautiful thing ever invented to wear! It’s winding, a continuity, an infinity” (Sonia Rykiel). Come visit the Center to find a perfect scarf for yourself or to give as a gift for someone special.

ink and WaTerColor painTings BY krisTi ThornBUrYKristi Thornbury feels a close connection to nature and tries to illustrate this through how a particular place or time resonates within her memory. Taiwan provides her with endless inspiration, as can be seen through her paintings.

August and September 2017 Morning Book Club Selectionalexander Hamilton by Ron ChernowFor meeting dates, times & location, contact: [email protected]

Kristi is the founder of Yili Arts Studio (opened in 2014), where she holds classes as she fulfills her dream to create beauty through art and her passion for teaching. She can be contacted at www.yiliarts.com

Renate Alison (2006, 2007)Alison Bai (2006, 2007, 2008)Jodi Boyd (2006)Celiane Camargo Borges (2008)Janell Colon (2008)Shana Crook (2007)Mary David (2006)Susan DeSimone (2007, 2008)Ping Guan Ulrich (2006)Violet Guiler (2007, 2008)Cherie Huang (2008)Sharon Jagger (2008)Diane Johnson (2006, 2007)

Susan Karjian (2006, 2007)Jane Leschnik (2006, 2007, 2008)Judy Liao (2007, 2008)Helene Marwood (2006, 2007,2008)Joyce McCabe (2007)Robyn McDougall (2006, 2007, 2008)Deb Meyers (2007, 2008)Junko Mochizuko (2006, 2007)Scott Moses (2008)Bunny Pacheco (2006, 2007, 2008)Gillian Payne (2007)Gloria Peng (2006, 2007, 2008)Susan Popple (2006)

Anne Marie Pot (2008)Sharon Raju (2006, 2007, 2008)Kathleen Rice (2007, 2008)Laureen Rivet (2006, 2007, 2008)Carol Schramer (2007, 2008)Desta Selassie (2008)Nicola Thackeray (2006)Terri Tiland (2008)Mette Trock-Jansen (2006)Rachel Van Haeff (2007, 2008)Elizabeth Weinstein (2006, 2007, 2008)Sandy Wills (2006)Lillian Yiin (2007, 2008)

Recognizing the Community Services Center’s Volunteers (2006 – 2008)

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the many dedicated volunteers that have supported the Community Services Center over the years. The list is quite long and we hope to continue with our acknowledgements of their service

to the Center in future issues.

THE CENTER NEEDS YOU!

Do you have a skill or talent that you would like to share? Or have you found some great places around Taipei that you would like to take others to see? Then why not consider teaching a course or leading a tour for the Center? If you are interested, or would like more information, please contact Rosemary at [email protected].

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The Taipei 2017 29th Summer Universiade

August 19 – 30Taiwan is excited about the upcoming Taipei Summer Universiade. In accordance with FISU regulations, the Mother Flame Lighting Ceremony for the 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade was held on June 20th in Turin, the first city to host the Universiade in 1959.With the lighting of the relay torch, the countdown began for this year’s sporting events. Taipei Mayor Wen-Je Ko explained that more than six years has gone into preparation for the games. There will be 22 sport categories and 33 competition venues; Taipei is ready for the 10,000 athletes and delegation members.For further information about the sporting events, venues and schedules, go to:https://www.taipei2017.com.tw/homeFor tickets: https://tickets.2017.taipei/ticket/area/17_Tpe_opN/2315 (For English, see top of page)

Maokong Gondola

Located at the southern edge of Taipei city, the Maokong Gondola is a must for first-time visitors to Taipei. There are four stations: Taipei Zoo, Taipei South Zoo, Zhinan Temple and Maokong, where a wide variety of high quality tea houses await the curious. Please note that the gondola service may be suspended due to thunderstorms.MRT: Taipei Zoo, exit 2For more information check out: https://guideoftaipei.com/visit/maokong

Guided Taipei Tours

Tourmeaway offers free walking tours in Taipei. They offer a variety of packages; the Old Town Tour, Taipei Chill Out, Hunger Game, and Drinks and Fun: Night Out in Taipei Tour. Historic stops include Longshan Temple, the Bopiliao Historical Block, the Presidential Office, 228 Memorial Park, and Four Four South Village. TripAdvisor reviews give them a high rating for tourists that want a break from the usual type of tourist fare.Check them out at: http://www.tourmeaway.com

Keelung Guided WalksThere’s a new tour group in town, called “Keelungforawalk”. Born and raised in Keelung, this team of enthusiastic young people is offering a fresh approach to local tourism.Among the things they are trying to do is to create person-to-person opportunities for tour guests and local citizens to exchange different viewpoints as they learn about each other’s culture. Keelung has a diverse cross-cultural history, which includes lingering influences from the Ketalagan aboriginal tribe, and a brief Spanish and Dutch presence. Sample delicious area specialties and visit beautiful temples. If you come during a festival, you’ll be immediately made to feel welcome by the warmth of Keelung hospitality.Call: (0968) 60 7676 Email: [email protected]: https://keelung-for-a-walk.com

LOCAL ARTISTS AND DESIGNERSThe Songshan Cultural Creative ParkAddress: 133, Guangfu South Road, Xinyi DistrictThese former tobacco factory

warehouses have been turned into exhibition spaces and shops for local artists and designers.MRT: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall station, exit 5Tel: (02) 2765 1388www.songshanculturalpark.org

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

A renovated wine factory, and one of the oldest, best preserved structures in Taipei, has been turned into a space for young designers, classes, theater productions and more. Hours: 9:30 am to 9 pmTel: (02) 2358 1914Address: 1, Bade Road, Section 1, Zhongzheng DistrictWebsite: huashan1914.comMRT: Zhongshan Xinsheng station, exit 1

Taipei Arts Festival 2017Theme: City and its FutureDates: August 7 – September 17

THEATER Deutsches Theater Berlin, Germany: Warten auf GodotDates: August 11 -12 (7:30 pm),

August 13 (2:30 pm)Venue: Metropolitan Hall Duration 135 minutes, with no intermission (in German with Mandarin subtitles)Coordinated with the Goethe Institute Taipeihttp://www.eng.taipeifestival.com

Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation will issue a special discount one-day pass for parents with children until August 31st. This promotion is to encourage families to spend quality time together during the summer months by taking the Taipei Metro.The special summer vacation pass allows one adult over 18 and one child under the age of 12 to use the same day pass for unlimited Taipei Metro rides on the same day that the pass is purchased.Contact any Taipei Metro Information Desk to purchase this special card for only NT$150. 24-hour hotline: (02) 218-12345 Taipei Metro Website: english.metro.taipei.com

Taipei vegan restaurantsIt’s a Vegan Affair – www.veganaffair.tw – a map of popular vegan restaurants

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events about town

THE TAIWAN POW CAMPS MEMORIAL SOCIETY’S 10TH FEPOW EVENING EVENT

Date: Saturday evening, August 12Venue: SPOT Theatre18, Zhongshan North Road, Section 2Time: The doors of the theatre will open at 6 pm. The program will begin promptly at 6:30 pmAdmission: Free – space is limited to seventy people. Reservations are needed.RSVP to: [email protected] no later than Wednesday, August 9.

Description: This will be a full evening honoring POWs associated with Taiwan. There will be a display of POW and military artifacts from the Society’s museum collection, a short memorial service to remember the POWs, and then a showing of the film, A War Story. This is a moving documentary drama highlighting the life of a Canadian POW doctor, Major Ben Wheeler, and his time at the infamous Kinkaseki POW Camp. Following a brief intermission, a short film will be shown for the first time in Taiwan, Kinkaseki Then and Now. Please note that there are no Chinese subtitles for this film.

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Typhoon and Earthquake Tips

help the homeless Project

T he typhoon season in Taiwan runs from April through October. Emergency supplies you should have on hand include: candles, matches, flashlights, batteries, portable radio (for English news updates turn to ICRT 100.7 FM), fresh drinking water,

important papers and documents in a packed bag ready to go, and clean clothes. If you are taking medicine, make sure that you have enough to last you through an unexpected emergency. Pet carriers should be within easy reach for transporting pets.

Earthquakes have no season and can occur at any time. If an earthquake strikes and there is a table to get under, do so and hold onto the table legs. This will help to protect you from flying objects and broken glass. When exiting a building, take the stairs, NOT the elevator.

Are you traveling this Summer? Make sure to bring your unused hotel shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. back to Taipei to donate to the Help the Homeless Project. This project collects hotel size toiletries and distributes them to Taipei’s homeless.

There is a collection box at The Center but if you are unable to come in please see below for 3 other delivery options:1) Meet up Ximen MRT station – to arrange

email: [email protected]) Ship by post – should not cost more than

NT$70 if its below 5kg A d d re s s : D o re e n L e o n g, 2F-3 N o.11,

Changsha St Sec Sec 2, Wanhua District, Taipei 108. Tel : 0920 802 730. 台北市108萬華區長沙街2段11號2F之3

3) Ship by 7-11 convenience store – will cost NT$60.

Using iBon machine, send to store code : 992130

Address : 185 Hanzhong Street, Taipei city Tel : 0920 802 730 (To : 龍淑嫻)

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culture

A s a new summer journalism i n t e r n a t t h e T a i p e i Community Services Center and a full-time student during

the year at the Hsinchu International School, I was totally unprepared for the Taipei I thought I once knew. In the past, Taipei was always about funky new Italian restaurants, skyscrapers, and crowds of people.

H o w e v e r, w h e n I g o t my f i r s t assignment to explore one of the older areas of Taipei, I was somewhat hesitant, because Dihua Street has never really appealed to me. Maybe this is because I am a millennial. So in the end, I decided to adjust my attitude and go with the flow for this assignment. Going with the flow meant going to Dihua Street.

Establ ished in the 1850s, Dihua Street is one of the oldest streets in Taiwan. Even today, it has managed to capture the essence of what life must have been like when Taiwan was still known as Formosa. Located in Taipei’s Datong District, this street was a center for trade in commercial products such as fabric, medicinal herbs, Taiwanese tea and items for the home.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Dihua Street is also home to some of the greatest t rad i t ional Taiwanese food on the planet, like fish ball soup. Thinking back on that day and considering that the scorching sun felt like it was a thousand degrees Celsius, I must have had a slight case of sunstroke to even think about eating hot food. But in reality, all I could

think about was devouring a bowl of homemade fish ball soup from the famous Jiaxing. Not even a cone of ice cream could have had the same effect on satisfying my craving.

a TaiWanese ClassiCI have to explain why I love this soup

so much. Fish ball soup has always been a staple and favorite dish with my family. At least once a week, it shows up on our dining table. Without fail, everyone in the family helps themselves and devours the whole pot within minutes. Perhaps it was this sense of familiarity that washed over me and prompted me to finish my bowl of hot fish ball soup on that hot summer day with such speed and gusto.

As funny as this soup’s name may

Rediscovering Dihua Street

TexT : SYdNeY Ko imaGeS: riKa iSHida

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sound, believe it or not, it dates all the way back to the Qin dynasty. It all started when Shi Huangdi demanded that fish be served to him at every meal. He also ordered that there were to be no bones in any of the fish served to him. This seemingly outrageous demand later led to the invention of what is now known as fish balls. Through time, they were further modified and used in a variety of ways, one being in soup. This is how this delicious soup came to be.

The FaBriC markeTAfter finishing my bowl of fish ball

soup, I decided to look for the Yongle Fabric Market. It was really not my first choice, but I decided to check it out because TripAdvisor highly recommended it. As I entered the building, I was suddenly hit by a wave of nostalgia. All around me were bright, colorful fabrics, which reminded me of earlier trips to Dihua Street, when my mom and I would go to buy fabric for me and my brother’s Halloween costumes, when we were little.

I learned that the name “Yongle”

was given to this building during the Japanese colonial period. I also learned that this fabric market remained a trading center for fabrics even during the 1950s. However, due to the current economy here in Taiwan and other outside competition, the market is no longer as prosperous as it once was. Even so, it is still known as the place to go for many young artists and designers.

Inside this rather run-down, shabby-looking building are fabrics ranging from silk to muslin, leather to denim, complex prints to plain colors. This market is a treasure island for talented handicraft people, especially for women and children. I immediately became enamored by everything that was in front of me. At first, it seemed like Matisse had spilled his artwork into the interior of this building. Even now, as I sit here typing, it is hard to describe the full blast of color that met me when I first entered the Yongle Fabric Market.

As I continued walking through the Fabric Market building, I stumbled upon another separate fabric store called “Two Sisters” (二嫂的店). Inside this shop, neatly stacked from floor to ceiling, were bolts of the most colorful fabrics I had ever seen. I thought to

myself that what I was seeing looked like something straight out of a vibrant Salvador Dali painting. Much to my added surprise, I found that all the fabrics on display had cartoon prints on them.

The Two Sisters store was the very first fabric shop to sell cartoon prints in Taiwan. The shop staff are also able to teach buyers, right in the shop, how to make bags and small pouches out of

Rediscovering Dihua Street

TWO SISTERS FABRIC STORE21 Dihua Street, section 1 (Shuanglian MRT) (迪化街一段21號)

BAO’AN TEMPLE17, Lane 49, Bao'an Street (Yuanshan MRT)(保安街49巷17號)

LIN LIU-HSIN PUPPET MUSEUM79, Xining North Road (Shuanglian MRT) (西寧北路21號)

JIAXING FISH BALL SOUP SHOP 21, Lane 210, Yanping North Road (Daqiaotou/Shuanglian MRT) (延平北路210巷21號)

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AUGUST 2017 www.communitycenter.org.tw12

culture

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the intricately patterned fabric. What’s more is that all the fabrics are imported from Japan.

TaiWanese pUppeTsAlthough I could easily bluff people

and say that I had a sudden urge to get educated about the origin and history of puppets, it was actually TripAdvisor and the recommendations of more experienced travelers that motivated me to go and see the Puppet Museum.

Puppets in Taiwan have been a form of entertainment for a long time, as can be seen by the popular puppet shows on Taiwanese television. Puppets can be used to communicate ideas about real-life situations. As a matter of fact, puppet art is said to be 3,000 years old. With such deep roots, it’s no wonder that puppet shows remain a popular Taiwanese cultural tradition.

The Puppet Museum was established in the year 2000, by Dr. Paul C.F Lin and Dr. Robin Ruizendaal. Their main purpose was to preserve this important aspect of Ta iwanese cu l ture and traditional Asian puppet culture. There are two parts to the museum, the puppet exhibition and workshop, and

the Nadou Theatre.In the exhibit ion and workshop

section are exhibits about the history of puppets and how different countries have their own puppet forms and variations. I was blown away by the beautifully displayed marionettes and the incredibly well-structured puppet performance stages. Next to the exhibition and workshop area is the Nadou Theatre. It had an interesting list of small-scale puppet, music, dance and theater performances for the public to attend.

a hisToriC landmarkOnce my visit to the Puppet Museum

came to an end, I started walking towards the nearby Bao’an Temple. There are over 15,000 temples in Taiwan, so why my sudden interest to go visit this particular one? The Bao’an Temple isn’t just any temple. It’s a historic landmark, founded in the 1800s by immigrants from Fujian Province.

S e v e r a l y e a r s a g o Ta i p e i C i t y Government recognized its historic importance and approved a lengthy renovation, which lasted from 1995 to 2002. This renovation signified a

significant step towards preserving Taiwan’s temple culture. However, what caught my attention was that this temple, which is surrounded by food stalls and vendors, received the prestigious UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for its dedication to the revival of temple rites and festivities.

When I received this assignment for Centered on Taipei, it never occurred to me that this old street would hold my attention for an entire day. So much has changed over the last decade, from when my mother would drag me to Dihua Street, much to my 7-year old indignation. It may not be a hangout spot or playground that children enjoy, but it sure is a place of fascination for me, now that I am older.

T he Great Getaway

Sydney Ko is an avid coffee drinker and an aspiring writer with an insatiable hunger for hard truths. She wishes to travel the world one day, but before that happens, she will patiently sip her mocha and read the nearest book she finds.

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T he Great Getaway

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culture

14

T he art of making tea is an ancient one. In Taiwan and China, years of study and practice are required to earn

the title of ‘Tea Master’. Therefore, to be in the presence of a professional tea master during a tea ceremony, is not only an honor, but an experience of a lifetime.

Last fall, on a warm sunny afternoon, a group of women from the Welcome to Taipei International Club (WTIC), gathered at the Taipei Zhongshan Hall to meet Mr. Lin Ku-Fang and his lovely wife. Mr. Lin is the Dean of the

Taipei Lecture Hall, a Zen master and musician. Mrs. Lin oversees the running of the Tea House, whose tranquil ambience instantly instills a sense of calm in those that enter.

a Warm WelComeFr iendly greet ings of welcome

were given to each of the ladies by

Mrs. Julie T. Chien, the founder of Welcome to Ta ipe i Internat ional Club (WTIC) and the three cultural Exploration Group Co-chairwomen, Olivia Jen, Alison Davis and Carol Sun, as they entered the Tea House. This gracious welcome greatly enhanced the afternoon’s enjoyable and rich tea ceremony experience.

the Art of tea: A Ladies’ Tea Ceremony Experience

TexT (collaboraTion): olivia Jen, alison Davis, carol sun, sue babcock images: Welcome To Taipei inTernaTional club (WTic), olivia Jen anD carol sun

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culture

learning aBoUT TaiWan’s Tea and Tea CUlTUre

Ta i wa n h a s t h e we l l-d e s e r ve d international reputation for producing and exporting high-quality oolong, black and green tea. Its geography, s u n ny c l i m ate, ra i n fa l l a n d h i g h m o u n t a i n r a n g e s a r e i d e a l f o r cultivating tea trees that produce first-class yields. Taiwan is also recognized as a major tea culture society.

Te a i n Ta i w a n i s h a r v e s t e d throughout the year with three distinct s e a s o n s; s u m m e r (J u n e t h ro u g h August), fall/winter (late October to March) and spring (March through May). Each season’s tea has its own distinctive fragrance and taste because of its different climate. Taiwan teas are classified according to their region,

the harvest season and how the tea is processed.

QUaliTY TeaMaster Lin, with the Mandarin/

E n g l i s h t r a n s l a t i o n s u p p o r t o f Carol Sun, introduced eight teas of exceptional quality: West Lake Long-Jin Tea, Bao Zhong Tea, High Mountain Oolong Tea, Dong-Ding Oolong Tea, Muzha Tien-guan-yin Tea, Oriental Beauty Tea, Ta iwan Tea #18, and Yunnan Pu’er Tea. Master Lin also stressed that fine tea leaves, when brewed, will give a special bright shine

and transparency to the tea.

The FragranCe oF TeaSince green tea has not been not

fermented, it will have a light, lingering, refreshing grassy taste to it. Black tea is fully fermented, with a sweet honey aroma. Oolong tea is half-fermented and has a sl ight floral aroma. The best oolong tea is grown in the high mountain areas at elevations above 1,000 meters.

The arT oF Tea BreWingThe tea masters at the Tea House

WEST LAKE LONGJING TEA (non-fermented green tea)

MUZHA TIENGUANYIN TEA (heavily fermented oolong tea)

85 – 90 oC

TEA AND WATER TEMPERATURE

100 oC

85 – 90 oC

100 oC

85 – 90 oC

100 oC

100 oC

100 oC

WEN-SHAN BAOZHONG TEA (lightly fermented green tea)

ORIENTAL BEAUTY TEA (heavily fermented oolong tea)

HIGH MOUNTAIN OOLONG TEA (lightly fermented oolong tea)

TAIWAN TEA #18 (fully fermented black tea)

DONG-DING OOLONG TEA (semi-fermented oolong tea)

YUNNAN PU’ER TEA (post fermented dark tea)

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recommended the following steps for brewing a pot of tea.

First, rinse all the tea cups with boiling-hot water, which will elevate the temperature of the tea cups so that the tea will taste more fragrant.

Second, use a dry wooden spoon with a sharp tip to assist in removing dry tea leaves from their container and place them into a tea funnel. The amount of dry leaves needed is about 1 /4 to 1/3 of the size of the tea pot.

Third, pour boiling hot water into the teapot and cover with the lid. Wait for thirty to sixty seconds before pouring this water into an empty jug. Distribute the brewed tea from this jug.

Fourth, additional pots of tea can be made from the original tea leaves.

Add fifteen seconds to the original steeping time for subsequent pots. It is important to never let the tea leaves soak in the hot water for long periods of time. Boiling water can be poured onto the tea leaves for up to six times, or until the taste begins to fade.

Fifth, use the wooden tea spoon to remove the fully expanded tea leaves from the pot. Place them and any left-over tea water into a large bowl, to be discarded later. Use new tea leaves and boiling water for a fresh pot of delicious tea.

The Tea hoUse – an oasisThe Tea House offers a tranquil

space and ambience to unwind from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

Guests can also enjoy cups of fine tea while learning the art of flower arrangement, calligraphy and other topics related to the tea arts and tea culture. It is a lovely oasis in downtown Taipei.

culture

A lovely afternoon for WTIC ladies

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tea plantation in taiwan by Peter Urbach

A Taiwan Photo GalleryThis month, we are pleased to present Peter Urbach.

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home & garden

I n summer, Taipei is hot, hotter, or Bar-B-Q sizzling, with a humidity that makes people feel like non-stop sweat machines. Trust me, gardening

outdoors at this time of year is not for the faint-hearted. So, with this in mind, Dr. Leaf’s choice for the August issue of Centered on Taipei is some tips for indoor gardeners.

There is nothing more refreshing than to walk into someone’s living space and immediately feel a sense of peace, tranquillity and freshness. Let’s face it, plants are the lungs of our earth. They produce oxygen. Without Mother Nature and her environmental gifts, our life span would be shorter.

Clean air planTs For indoor spaCes

We need clean air in our homes, work environments, dining venues, h o s p i t a l s , m u s e u m s , p l a c e s o f worship - the list goes on and on. Four suggested categories of plants are ideal for growing indoors: herbaceous foliage plants, herbaceous flowering plants, trai l ing plants and woody plants.

High humidity doesn’t seem to affect varieties of the begonia, the peperomia caperata, the Fittonia vershaffettii and the bird's nest fern, which is why they are popular choices with designers and city dwellers alike.

Dr. Leaf’s Miscellaneous Tips for Indoor GardeningTexT: Dr. leaf images: Web

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Begonia varieTiesThere are 1,500 varieties of begonia

plants. They are lovely, and bloom throughout the entire year. However, I am going to be upfront about them for it is important to understand that they are toxic to children and pets (especially to cats and dogs).

T h e l e ave s o f t h e b e go n i a a re asymmetrical, they have thick succulent stems, and their flowers bloom in clusters. Place them near a shady but warm window sill, hang them in an attractive basket or place a single pot near your computer workstation.

Begonias need a steady dose of indirect sunlight, and the top of the soil should be 50% dry before watering. Too much water is an invitation for mildew, mold and root damage. Normally, begonias are pest free. Terracotta or clay pots are best, because they encourage rapid water evaporation, which is good for maintaining rich, well-aerated soil conditions.

peperomia CaperaTa This undemanding plant, with its dark

green leaves and reddish-purple stems, belongs to the pepper family. The Peperomia caperata’s tolerance of high humidity, its need for indirect sunlight and only a little water, makes it a good plant to place in the kitchen, bathroom or living room, where it will thrive.

It likes a light soil mixture, having looseness around its roots and growing ins ide a quick ly-dra in ing pot. I ts succulent-like leaves will store water, so the soil should not be wet, although it should not be allowed to become too dry either. A good rule of thumb is to water carefully, only when the top is dry.

A note of caution: it's best to keep it away from children and pets.

FiTTonia vershaFFeTTiiThis p lant loves to travel. Th is

creeping perennial has oval green leaves with intricate red, pink, silver or

white veins and fuzzy stems. Fittonia vershaf fetti i (the nerve or mosaic plant) loves high humidity: the higher the better. It's a perfect house guest for it requires minimum maintenance and has several varieties from which to choose, all of which are durable and attractive.

Since the Fittonia is a creeper it does best in large, shallow containers or hanging baskets, growing in peat-based soil. However, watering this plant requires more attention than most. You want your plant to live in a moist soil; however too much water will cause a yellowing of leaves and may attract gnat fungus or mealy bugs, which love soft, limp leaves.

Bird's nesT FernI have been saving this plant for last.

Overall, it does more for improving the quality of the air indoors than any other plant. Second, it’s hard to kill. Before I realized that it does best in indirect sunlight, I had it outdoors in full sunlight. It still managed to survive.

This plant received its common name of bird's nest fern due to its shape when fully grown. It requires good-quality potting soil, a large container and a watering routine that leaves the soil moist, but not soggy. Quite by accident, I discovered that my bird's nest ferns love being misted every so often, in addition to being watered. It seems to improve the evaporation process, thus creating the humidity that they require to thrive.

Dr. Leaf is an avid environmentalist living in the heart of downtown Taipei, and whose rooftop garden is the envy of many neighbors.

Peppermint scares off pesky plant intruders

Here’s an organic foliar spray recipe for pests such as ants or mites that love plant leaves and your home. Put ten drops of peppermint essential oil and 750 ml clean water in a spray bottle. Before you spray, it is always good to do a "patch test." Observe the few leaves that have been spray - tested to see if there is any discoloration, or if the plant seems distressed. Be sure to place a newspaper or cloth under the plants, because essential oils can stain painted surfaces, flooring and furniture.

Spray the infected leaves once a week before sundown, when it is cooler, and the aroma and stickiness from the peppermint will deter new pests from having a free leaf meal.

For ants, dab a few cotton balls with a little peppermint essential oi l and place them around in t h e co r n e rs o f b o o ks he l ve s, the bathroom, l iv ing room or anywhere that ant armies like to march.

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Wandering around Taipei: Beating the summer heatTexT: kiT farley images: Web

around taipei

S ummer is a perfect time to be near water. For those brave souls who venture outdoors in the blistering August heat, you deserve a cool reward for your efforts. Situated all over Taipei are lovely ponds,

where you can feed fish, sit quietly among ancient banyan trees watching artists paint flowering lotus, or take delight in watching children splash buckets of cool water over themselves, at a local water park. Here are some spots to get you started.

The loTUs pond The Lotus Pond and the gardens behind the National Museum

of History are a quiet urban oasis. Located at 49 Nanhai Road, this serene pond is surrounded by lush green flora and banyan trees. Lotus leaves and flowers float gracefully above the surface of the pond, only to be occasionally disturbed by one of the pond’s resident ducks. To visit the Lotus Pond, take the MRT to Xiaonanmen Station, and leave by exit 3. A quick three-minute stroll will bring you to the Museum and walkway to the Lotus Pond.

Chiang kai-shek memorial gardens Not too far away from the Lotus Pond is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Gardens, also known as the Zhongzheng

Memorial Park. Use exit 5 of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall MRT stop to get there. If you go early in the morning, you'll see people practicing martial arts, doing folk dancing and (if it isn’t a rainy day) an elderly gentleman playing a wide selection of music on his saxophone. Take a leisurely stroll across one of the park’s two moon bridges, stopping halfway to watch the many fish swimming below. Purchase a small packet of fish food from any of the vending machines at the entrances to the gardens, and have fun watching the fish as they jostle with each other to get a nibble or two.

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Kit Farley is currently traveling on assignment between Taiwan and Hong Kong.

heading oUTside oF Taipei For a healThY soakThis may sound a little weird, but taking a summertime

sulfur hot spring soak can help your body to relax and feel refreshed. Locals enjoy going to Lengshuikeng, which is less well-known among the foreign community. Bathing suits are not required. Visitors are separated by gender into two separate huts. Pre-washing is required, so bring your own soap, washcloth and towel with you. From Jiantan MRT Station take the S15 minibus directly to Lengshuikeng. Hours: 6 am to 9 pm, closed the last Monday of each month. Admission free.

The da-an ForesT park The Da-an Forest Park is by far the largest park in

downtown Taipei, and is easy to reach, as it has its own MRT station. Take the red line to Da-an Park station and leave by exits 2, 3, 4 or 5.

The park was created in 1994, after the demolition of a long-standing squatter’s village. Situated on 64 acres of prime municipal real estate, the park has two lovely ponds. It's not uncommon to see egrets standing near the water’s edge, or geese flying gracefully overhead. The pathways are well-kept, bordered on either side by palm trees, bamboo groves, well-groomed shrubs and seasonal flowers.

Taipei WaTer parkTo help beat the Taipei summer, this is the place to go

for relief. It's an easy walk from Gongguan MRT Station, exit 4 to Shiyuan Street and the entrance to the park. Signs in English make it easy to find. For children, this is a water playground wonderland equipped with water slides, shallow pools and other fun entertainment. For adults, swimming and lounging areas are popular, especially when the temperatures crank up. Swimming suits and caps are required. The park is open 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and tickets are sold until 4 pm.

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outlook

am i a Control Freak?

O f t e n w e h e a r o t h e r s describe their partners, f r i e n d s, o r p a re nt s a s co nt ro l f re a ks. M ay b e

even you have been labeled as being one. What does this mean? Is being controlling a bad thing? Aren’t we supposed to be able to manage and control our lives? Definitely we are; however, too much control can cause p ro b l e m s i n o u r l i ve s, d a m a ge d relationships, or serious health issues. Therefore, we need to understand the signs that indicate over-controlling behaviors and how to get help for them.

oUr need For ConTrolHave you ever driven on an icy road

and your car went out of control? Meanwhile, every vehicle around you is trying hard to avoid being hit by your car. Everybody felt overwhelmed and tried their best to regain some control.

We hate losing control, or even feeling out of control, because we experience strong emotions such as anxiety, panic, being overwhelmed, or freaking out. That’s why we need rules, schedules, and some daily routines to keep our lives, not only in order, but also predictable. In this way we gain a certain degree of control of our lives.

Feeling in control is a basic need in human life. People need different degrees of control according to their psychological maturity. General ly speaking, younger children need more control than adults for a sense of security. Once their safety needs are met in childhood, they usually become more flexible and able to adapt to more change when they are older.

However, some adults whose needs for safety are not met in their childhood might look for a greater amount of control in their life.

People who had been traumatized or abused might crave a sense of control as their primary need. For example, people who grew up and suffered from an unstable financial environment might base their sense of safety on money; thus they control their finances more than others. People who were abused emotionally or physically as children might look for partners who are non-aggressive or submissive. Moreover, they might even back away from entering into an intimate relationship because of their fear of losing control.

In the movie pay it Forward, the main character, Eugene (played by Kevin Spacey), is a teacher who sticks to his strict routine in order to feel in control of his single life. He is a control freak. This is because of being abused and hurt by his alcoholic father early in life. When he met Arlene (played by Helen Hunt) Eugene needed to gather up all his courage in order to break out of his daily life of solitude, so that he could have a relationship with her. For Eugene, or those who need to be overly controlling, intimate relationships can mean losing their stability in life and running the risk of being hurt or abandoned.

looking aT oUT-oF-ConTrol Behaviors

Feeling out of control is somehow different from actually losing control. Some people unconsciously spend

their entire energy and time feeding their need for control, although they are not in any danger or facing any life-threatening out-of-control situations.

The control freak needs to focus on certain situations, behaviors, routines, people, or relationships to give them reassurance, thus meeting their need for control and mental comfort. Once they gain their sense of control and ease their mind by making sure things, people, or relationships are the way they expect them to be, then their internal tension levels decrease for the time being.

People who need to always be in control have little tolerance for change or ambiguity. They are unable to be flexible. They prefer stable, predictable life structures or experiences. Cross-cultural experiences may be very uncomfortable or even threatening to them, because they are not familiar with the rules and different social structures in different cultures.

If in a cross-cultural marriage, they may constantly feel out of control. They find that there are too many new and different cultural norms and values for them to handle with ease. They find these hard to accept, especially when scheduled plans or appointments change suddenly.

They not only expect loved ones to accept their way of thinking, but they also push themselves to meet their own high rigid standards. They easily jeopardize their physical and mental health, due to rigidity.

Very often, we hear about “terror lovers” on the news. They are another form of over-controlling people. These

TexT: Dr. Hui-sHiang cHao image: Web

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individuals need to have excessive control over their partners, including the way they dress, spend money, schedule their time, and even use ways to intimidate them about who their friends and family members can be.

Individuals who have the need to be in excessive control will usually begin a relationship by showing great amounts of attention and love. Eventually, their partners begin to feel suffocated and find themselves having no freedom at all within the relationship. The process of breaking up can be very difficult or even dangerous.

Some over-control l ing partners may threaten or even carry out life-threatening acts towards their partner and to themselves.

Being over-ConTrolling does desTroY lives

Over-controlling behaviors only offer temporary relief from outside pressures and give a false sense of control. They do not solve any problems. These behaviors exhaust energy resources and place control freaks and their loved ones inside an invisible "jail," where

they are trapped from experiencing a healthy life.

Those that are unable to meet their own control needs might compensate by turning to other addictive behaviors such as eating, cleaning or drinking. Because their need for control is so excessive, these alternative behaviors can endanger their health, career, relationships and possibly even end in death.

hoW To TreaT over-ConTrolling TendenCies

Observe how you react when things do not go your way. What do you do when people do not respond the way you would like them to? How do you feel when your body, emotions, or mind don’t work the way you expect? Do you get annoyed? How do you face the unexpected? Can you accept that people make mistakes and that accidents can and do happen? Can you accept that we do not have to control everything, everyone or even ourselves to have a happy and peaceful life? If you have a sense that you may need to work on your control issues, try the

following.First, observe and write down in a

notebook those things that cause you stress and a need to be in control.

Second, f ind a specif ic memory which might relate to these areas. For example, those that have been robbed may show a greater need for having security in their home.

T h i r d , e x a m i n e h o w y o u f e l t about the experience. If you still feel vulnerable, create ways or strategies to make yourself feel less vulnerable and more at peace. Find a trusted counselor to work with you. It always helps to have someone by your side.

Dr. Hui-Shiang Chao received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education a n d S u p e r v i s i o n in 2005. Her professional areas of expertise include individual, marital and family counseling.

Join the Center’s Newcomer Orientation Workshop for a fast-paced and fun introduction to living in Taiwan. This

half-day workshop is full of helpful hints, stories and useful information. Topics covered include: practical daily life tips;

typhoon, earthquake and disaster awareness; health and medical information; and, understanding the local culture.

If you would like to stay afterwards to chat with Center sta�, lunch will be available at an additional cost of NT$300.

9:00am - 12:30pm

$800 NT (optional lunch add $300 NT)Registration required

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST

Newcomer Orientation

www.communitycenter.org.tw

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outlook

Elder Day Care Centers in Taiwan

S ince 1993, Taiwan has been c l a s s i f i e d a s a n “a g i n g s o c i e t y” i n a c c o r d a n c e with the United Nation’s

definition; 7% of the total population is over 64 years of age. Demographers are predicting that by 2018, Taiwan’s aging population will be the second fastest-growing in the world, second only to Japan.

Chang Chung-han’s family was lucky. He was able to attend one of the thirteen senior community day care centers commissioned by the Taipei City Government. These centers were set up to serve the growing aging population, particularly elderly people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.

Each morning, Chang wakes up around 6 am, gets on a bus and arrives at a local assembly hall for a flag-raising ceremony. His "school’s" program has a variety of programs aimed to help the elderly regain their confidence. Act iv i t ies inc lude music therapy, ball games, study-groups, handicraft lessons, cooking demonstrations, karaoke and even mahjong.

FamilY ChallengesMany individuals within a family are

working, and often have no choice but to leave their elderly parents at home alone. If a family member is able to remain at home as a caregiver, looking after their elder relation can have a serious toll on family life, and disturb the routine of the family, particularly if

the elder is suffering from dementia.While these centers have helped

some families like Chang Chung-han’s, the government’s goodwill is not always readily accepted. For example, the Ta-Tung Health Promotion Paradise Center is able to accept thirty seniors. However, only 17 are currently being cared for there.

soCieTal Social stigma is a factor. If a family

sends a parent who does not show phys ica l d i sab i l i t ies to a center, gossip and rumors from conservative neighbors or relatives may spread, saying that the family are abandoning their elder, or shrinking from their filial duty. These people are unaware of the benefits of a senior day care center because they are holding tightly onto stereotype thinking.

expensesMany people worry about the cost

of elder day care. The maximum charge for government-run senior centers for people that have been admitted to a center is about NT$16,000 per month. This includes al l costs for Monday to Friday care, from 7 am to 6 pm, regardless of the elder’s health condition. All services, including lunch, are free for low-income families. Special arrangements can be made for minimal care, if a family cannot afford the entire monthly fee. Private daycare centers are normally more expensive.

loW salaries For CaregiversIn addition to low day-care salaries,

there are other issues day care centers face such as unskilled workers, high turnover, job disinterest, and low professional image. It’s important to improve the quality of elder care service, to develop useful skill sets and to assist in communication between the elder patient and the hospital. To do so will save valuable time and money.

a need For CommUniTY sUpporTGrowing old in a community in which

you are familiar is important. With the rise of the elder day care center, elders, especially those suffering from dementia, will be well taken care of in a center, and their families will have greater peace of mind. Elder day care centers provide a dual advantage for the elder, who can stay with their family at night and be socially active during the day. Yet challenges remain. Now these challenges are out in the public view, questions are being raised and hopefully, answers will be forthcoming.

Dr. T ing-Y i L in – i s a f u l l - t i m e fac u l t y m e m b e r a t t h e N a t i o n a l T a i w a n University of Science and Technology

TexT: Dr. Ting-yi lin image: Web

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food & drink

TexT: Joan H, HungryinTaipei imaGeS: HuNGrYiNTaipei

Joan created Hungr y in Taipei in 2005 when she moved to Taiwan from California and couldn't find much in format ion on l ine ab out restaurants in English. She has since blogged about over six hundred Taipei restaurants, found places to fulfill her Mexican, cupcake, BBQ and pho cravings, and explored Taipei's night markets, shaved ice, dumplings and fine-dining scene. Hungry in Taipei has been mentioned by BuzzFeed, CNN Travel, NY Post, Lonely Planet Taiwan, Taipei Times, Bizarre Foods and the Culinary Institute of America. http://hungryintaipei.blogspot.tw/ A n y o n e w h o h a s l i v e d i n

Taiwan for awhile knows that finding a good chocolate chip cookie here is actually not

easy. Most tastebuds here like crispy, not chewy cookies, and they are thin like wafers, or crunchy.

This is not. This one is a massive, cheat-day

worthy soft -baked cookie rivaling what I had in New York City. The guilty pleasure is rounded out with farm-fresh milky vanilla and valrhona swirled soft-serve.

To find the tiny Coffee Dpt, you first have to head towards the middle of Huashan 1914 Creative Park, near the parking lot. On my visit, I spotted a DPT in the distance, but when I found the store, it was filled with clothes; no cookies in sight. I stepped back out and around the corner, and finally saw the small shop, basically a window to order and a few tables and seats, also outdoors.

The menu is very simple, and perfect for an afternoon snack after browsing an exhibition at Huashan, or shopping for gadgets at Syntrend across the street. There's espresso, Americano, latte, cappuccino, cold-brew coffee or tea for drinks and there are cookies, sandwiches and ice cream for food.

I cannot tell you how long I have been waiting for a cookie like THIS in Taipei. The dairy fresh soft-serve and cold brew coffee were also really good, and I usually dislike black coffee! Thank you @coffeedpt and @tiffleezzz for the treats, and for baking up these cookies in Taipei. I enjoyed every bite! At NT$120 it might be one of the most expensive cookies you've ever tried. But it’s probably also one of the biggest. And in Taipei, a good chocolate chip cookie is a rarity. So it's a small price to pay if the craving hits. Out of all the cookie shops I've tried over the years in Taipei (Anyone remember i-baked or We Love Cookies?), this is one of the most satisfying, with the chewy, soft-baked center and plenty of chocolate chips.

COFFEE DPTHuashan 1914 Creative Park7B, 1 Bade Road(八德路一段1號中七B館)Tel: (02) 2341-6520Hours: 12 noon - 8 pmMRT: Zhongxiao Xinsheng station, exit 1website: on Facebook (Coffee dpT)

COFFEE DPT

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fashion & beauty

sTain removersFood or grease stains can be swiftly dealt with using some good

old dishwashing liquid in warm water. I’m a big chocolate lover, and dishwashing liquid has been a life-saver when removing chocolate stains from my clothes. It’s just like washing your clothes with Surf, except you are using a soap designed for kitchen utensils. Simply add a little dishwashing liquid to a bowl of warm water, and gently rub the fabric. Please keep in mind though, that before using dishwashing liquid (or any of the other stain removal methods described here) you must check the fabric care instructions on the garment.

Taipei has a big wine-drinking culture, and there is nothing more frustrating than dealing with wine spills. My go-to wine spill stain remover is carbonated water (club soda). Pour the club soda onto the stain, while blotting with a paper towel, and soak in soda until the stain disappears. Boiling water also works well for this type of removal if the fabric is suitable. Pour the water through the fabric until the stain disappears.

Cornflour is our household favorite for removing tough oil stains; if you don't have it, talcum powder is a good substitute. Sprinkle the cornflour onto the stain, and leave it overnight. In the morning brush the cornflour off, and if the stain is still there, try the dishwashing liquid method above, using hot water.

Wardrobe Tips for Stain Removal

TexT: Zee Dlamini images: Web

W ardrobe stains are a regular nuisance, and can be caused by common daily activities that involve anything from grease, oil and sweat to makeup, ink, or food. Different stains, however, are removed in different ways.

Stubborn stains are usually the ones that lead to retiring your precious garments, but the good news is that most stains can be dealt with by simple over-the-counter products, or other household products that you may already have.

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Zee Dlamini i s a d igi ta l PR strategist turned fashion stylist/fashion blogger, in addition to being a full-time mommy with a zest for life and a lover of all things good.

As a makeup addict, I have had my fair share of annoying makeup stains. For lipstick and liquid foundation stains, I have found that witch hazel is excellent. Pour a little witch hazel onto a paper towel, and rub it onto the fabric gently. Then follow with a mild laundry detergent. Mascara and eyeliner will come off easily in dishwashing liquid and warm water.

Mildew stains on clothing are very common in Taipei. Since mildew can be harmful to your health, you may want to remove it outside, to avoid spreading the spores around your home any further.

The standard cleaner and most effective mildew stain removal is chlorine bleach (it kills the mildew spores and also disinfects your clothing), but before applying bleach, as usual check the fabric cleaning label, to confirm that it's safe to use it. Allow the fabric to soak in water with a little bleach for thirty minutes. For really tough mildew stains, launder the fabric with laundry detergent and a little bleach in the hottest water allowed for the fabric.

oTher hoUsehold remediesThere are other traditional, tried-and-tested kitchen materials that you

can use for removing stains, such as white vinegar, lemons and baking soda.Lemons are the oldest whitening agent, and can be used to get rid of

stains from white clothing. Socks, linens and dinner napkins can be easily cleaned over the stove using boiled lemon water.

Lemon juice can be used to remove sweat stains from white clothing too by just spraying it on the affected area, then washing your clothes as usual. To make lemon-infused water for cleaning, fill a pot with water and a few slices of fresh lemon, and bring to a boil. Turn off heat, add linens, and let them soak for up to an hour; finally launder as usual. For extra brightening, spread them out in the sunlight to dry.

Baking soda is another old favorite for stain removal in old and new clothes; it not only cleans, but can be a fabric softener as well. It also absorbs odors and helps to break down grease. Mix baking soda into a paste (four tablespoons of baking soda and an equal amount of water), apply to stains, and wash. For new clothes, pre-soak them in 1/4 cup baking soda to one gallon water.

White vinegar is naturally acidic, and is a great agent for cutting through grease and whitening fabrics. It softens water, and whitens fabrics when added to the rinse. Add white vinegar to the water during the first rinse, then rinse again in fresh water. The amount of white vinegar you use depends on the size of your load: add anywhere from 1/8 cup to 1/2 cup.

So, to keep all your clothes stain free, always have dishwashing liquid, club soda, white vinegar, corn powder, laundry detergent, and a few store-bought stain removers in your laundry room!

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travel

L anyu (Orchid Is land) i s an absolutely magical outpost of Taiwan. It’s quite unlike anywhere else in the country;

far more rugged and pristine even than Green Island, its nearest (and far more commonly-visited) neighbor, and although things are changing here, and visitor numbers increasing, so far Lanyu remains amazingly undeveloped, in comparison with Green island, Penghu or Kinmen.

To get to Lanyu, you first have to get yourself to either Taitung or Kenting; boats from each of these places cross the ocean to Lanyu in about three hours. Unfortunately it’s a notoriously rough crossing, and many people are sick on the way. The alternative - a quick flight from Taitung - is a breeze, but

getting tickets for this route is extremely tricky, so book a couple of months in advance if possible.

H o w e v e r y o u a r r i v e, t h e f i r s t impression of Lanyu is spectacular. It’s a rugged volcanic island, but also an amazingly lush one, and looks and feels quite unlike anywhere else in the ROC.

Members of the Dawu tribe make up the vast majority of the population, although Taiwanese settlers have been arriving in increasing numbers over the last few years, setting up homestays all around the island to supplement the couple of rather dour hotels that were once the only places to stay here.

Lanyu is a fantastic place to explore, whether on the back of a bike, on foot, or with mask and snorkel. The scenery around the island is simply superb.

lanyu (orchid island) TexT & imaGeS: riCHard SauNderS

RICHARD SAUNDERS EXPLORES TAIWAN'S LESS-TRODDEN PATHS

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richard Saunders is a trained classical musician and writer who has lived in Taipei since 1993. He has written several books (available at the center and in bookshops around Taipei), including yangmingshan: the guide (a complete guide to the national park on Taipei’s doorstep), Taipei escapes i and 2, which together detail sixty day trips and hikes within easy reach of Taipei city, and The islands of Taiwan, a guide to Taiwan’s offshore islands. His latest book, Taiwan 101: essential Hikes, sights and experiences around ilha formosa, is out now.

Bizarre coral or volcanic formations such as the Jade Girl Rock and the Twin Lions are familiar from tourist brochures, but the whole island is a showcase of bizarrely eroded rocks, such as the huge natural sea stack known as the Old Man, the weird contortions of the Dragon’s Head, and (my favorite) the stunning Mantou Rock, which looks like a rough, pointed pinnacle from the north, but when seen from the south turns into a shapely, symmetrical dome rising out of the blue sea, looking just like one

of those steamed bread buns found in 7-Eleven.

Although there are a few small beaches, Lanyu’s shorel ine offers (much) more to divers than swimmers and sunbathers, but the i s land’s wo n d e r f u l co a sta l co l d s p r i n g s, bubbling out of the coral and forming deep pools, are a fantastic place to cool off on a hot afternoon, and completely undeveloped, unl ike the amazing coastal hot spring on Green Island, which these days has become a spoilt tourist trap.

Lanyu’s natural heritage enchants, but what truly makes the island unique and memorable is its aboriginal culture. More on this, however, in a future installment!

By the way, now is best time of year to explore Lanyu and Taiwan’s other beautiful offshore islands, all of which are described in detail in my book, The islands of Taiwan, available at the Community Services Center.

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#14 Tienmu E. Road | Telephone 2871-1515 | [email protected]

CsC BUsiness ClassiFied

Taiwan 101: Essential Sights, Hikes and Experiences on Ilha Formosa

by Richard Saunders

Taiwan 101 presents Taiwan’s finest attractions to anyone who wishes to get to know this island of kaleidoscopic charms, complete with transport information and GPS coordinates of nearly 800 fascinating places.

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Download - Centered · This month’s issue of Centered on Taipei is full of ‘Beautiful Taiwan’ events, activities and places to go, especially in Taipei. Read about Rediscovering Dihua

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