January 9th, 2014: 每天坐捷運!

Do you have a special affinity for dumplings (水餃)? Well in case you do, I have just-as-special news for you: I had the wonderful opportunity of making dumplings (and eating them) twice in one day for lunch and dinner. As you can see to the right side, I have picked up the wonderful skill of making beautiful dumplings, as taught to me by my fellow Chinese-fluency-seeking Japanese students. According to my teacher (老師), dumplings are eaten when crossing into the new year because they look like ancient gold ingots.

However, according to history, this type of food that I had the pleasure of masterfully wrapping (perhaps if masterfully was a connotation for messy), is the forefather of many other cultures' foods such as Italian ravioli.


It is always interesting to learn about Chinese food, because I often hear of the pride that Chinese people have in the Chinese culture being far more advanced in ancient times than other peoples. Often, evidence of such progress can be found through influences in other countries such as the story of Marco Polo bringing back new culinary arts back from China.

Other things that have survived from ancient times that can be found in Taiwan are temples dedicated to Daoism and Buddhism. Despite the density of buildings in Taipei, within nooks and crannies one can find temples where people visit and appreciate; some to worship and some to admire the intricate architecture. Throughout our study abroad programs we often come across many of these beautifully created temples, as I mentioned last post, but I have failed to elaborate on my main mode of transportation: the MRT (捷運), or as I would say back in the States, the metro rail.

If there are any of you out there who believes we can brag about the New York metro rail, please give me a call quick, because the Taipei MRT is nothing to scoff at. They are automated, quick, clean, and even English accommodating!
However what is most impressive are the social expectations of the MRT that I have not seen in the metro rails from New York, Washington D.C., to mainland China. People know to line up when boarding the metro car, which allows for organized and efficient leaving and boarding of the metro. Also, people are not allowed to eat or drink on the MRT in order to keep metro clean. Furthermore, people are encouraged and know to to keep the volume of conversations and cell phone calls quieter so the MRT is not rowdy and other people are not bothered. The overall impression that one gets from these layers of social expectations is a clean, updated, and efficient method of transportation that makes you want to use it.

Although I have seen the less squeaky-clean parts of Taiwan, I will always have admiration for the way that Taiwan has decided to educate its people. Though every person has differing levels of empathy for other people, they have managed to make the MRT generally a peaceful and quiet place where the average population respects the space as a public space instead of their own private living room. Perhaps this is due a long-term investment of education of younger generations of good public manners. Perhaps, this is also due to being a metro rail that was built relatively recent, which gains the advantage of newer updates and lessons learned from other countries' metro rails. In very specific analysis, because people display good practice of good habits while on the MRT, the product is a presentable MRT. However, I can only hazard that the underlying perspective of why people follow this practice is because Taiwan has made it a point to educate its people in values that show a cultivated and enlightened people. In other words, when compared to mainland China, a unique culture built with respectable values. Whatever Taiwan has done to make its MRT have social expectations of respect, it works and only speaks good of its people.

Chinese studies are going well, but still quite difficult! Next time I plan to write about meeting with a friend from high school, of whom I have not seen for more than 6 years! I had the pleasure of asking him much about adjusting to Taiwanese culture and having the opportunity to compare Taiwanese culture to culture in the United States.

Until next time!