TAIWAN ANALOGUE PICTURES

While I wait for my analogue film roll to be developed, here are some analogue pictures from my other two trips to Taipei over the past 12 months.

I had no idea I would create such a "bond" with a country so far away from where I’m from. The people here have an essence that I haven’t experienced in any other place. I feel so fortunate and grateful that I can spend some time here. To give you a perspective: upon our first restaurant visit, I had a cold and a blocked nose, so I wasn’t able to taste or smell the food. Our waitress said she would go with me to a pharmacy, and when I was about to pay with my card (the pharmacy only took cash), she paid for the nose spray and put it on the restaurant bill. Spoiler alert: there is no tipping culture in Taiwan.

Something I admire about Taiwanese people is that it seems to me that they are quite happy. Proud of being teachers, proud of working at a coffee shop, happy to be a waitress, happy to work at the supermarket and so on. The art of being happy for the ordinary, the everyday, to me people seem happy and content and its an art to that imo.  I did some digging, and the living costs are reasonable, and it is a very modern society. It is amazing to spend time in a country where people are nice to the core without expecting anything back.

It was here that my passion for tea and Ging Fu Cha really blossomed. I went on my first guided tea trip and visited the jade market. This is where I met the kindest man who has become a good friend. He teaches me about tea while we drink it for hours in his shop and at the jade market.

And maybe the reason why I love the Taiwanese people so much is that I feel so equal. I feel that everyone is treating everyone with kindness, respect and with deep compassion. There is something along the lines here that reminds me of home, the people and nature; there are 265 mountains that are over 3000m. Spending most of our time in Macau and Asia, so far away from home, I do appreciate something that gives the essence of home. I saw this IG video of cellist Franck Bernède talking about Taiwanese Buddhism, and that resonated very much with me (watch it here).

Have you been to Taiwan? Do you want to visit Taiwan?  Share with me in the comments. 

Loads of love 

Helena