Sundays are free days, so today was another opportunity to meet up with friends and family at my own pace, rather than starting the day at 7:30 and following a succession of planned events.
I took the Taipei Metro to Liuzhangli, where I met Kysen, a friend from Toronto who had recently completed the "I Love Taiwan" mission program, run by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. The program gives students the opportunity to experience the Taiwanese lifestyle, take part in local church ministries (i.e. helping teach English), and grow together spiritually with other group members and local Taiwanese youth.
We then headed to Ximending (yes, my second time), where we browsed around and visited the arcade. We played their very awesome air hockey, with an auto-dispensing puck machine and multiple puck challenges. We had lunch in the basement food court of one of the buildings.
鐵板 ("Iron Plate", also known as sizzling platter - and can be found in Toronto as well).
There were vegetables too, but they weren't ready yet, so they guy brought it to us later.
Cost: $130 NT (~4.25 CAD).
After lunch, we walked eastward to the 228 Peace Park, only about ten minutes away. The park was renamed in 1997 to commemorate the tens of thousands of Taiwanese that were killed in the 228 Massacre. The massacre occurred in 1947, amid tensions between the Nationalist Chinese forces that fled to Taiwan after losing the civil war in China and the local Taiwanese people. An incident involving the KMT police killing a Taiwanese woman illegally selling cigarettes on the eve of February 28th led to more confrontations. Within a week, the KMT had requested reinforcements, with the arrival of thousands of troops randomly and systematically killing the Taiwanese elite – teachers, local politicians, doctors, students - anyone who could potentially pose a threat. The 228 incident marked the beginning of 40 years of "White Terror", the longest period of marshall law in modern history.
During this period, and the years following, 228 was rarely discussed - the KMT prohibited talk about the massacre during Marshall Law, and the topic was considered taboo in the following years. It took almost half a century before the government apologized for the incident, with an official apology in 1995 and the renaming of Taipei New Park to 228 Peace Park in 1997. Many memorials have been built since then, including the iconic monument in the Peace Park.
Left: Front gate; Right: Taipei 228 Monument
Kysen and I at one of the many beautiful landscapes in 228 Peace Park.
Near the south-end side of the park, the Taiwan Justice Action Church was setting up for a 2:30 service. They were very welcoming towards two young foreign students, and friendly conversation soon followed with questions about why we were in Taiwan, our parents, and connections between their church and the Taiwanese church in Toronto. We even met someone who previously attended our church in Toronto, as well as the founder of the "I Love Taiwan" mission.
The service was simple, taking place under the trees and among nature, reminding us that we don't need a physical building to connect with God - we can be even closer living with nature. A cross was tied to one of the trees; we sang hymns while the cicadas buzzed and held the sermon with a stray dog wandering among us.
The service started with a fifteen minute warm up - stretches and motions to keep blood circulating, with tips on how to maintain mental alertness and health, allowing our congregation to fit in with the many throughout the park who were meditating, practicing martial arts, and doing yoga. After refreshing our body, we sang a hymn that translates to "People Are Praying for You". The service was in Taiwanese, and was accompanied by the usual hospitality and humour of Taiwanese people that I have grown accustomed to -despite the heat (actually, under the shade with a breeze, Sunday's weather was relatively good) and the fact that I can't really read the Mandarin characters in the songs, I felt right at home.
Left: Music, and my Pocket Bible. Right: The congregation.
The sermon discussed good governance and its relation to God and Christian morals, since it was a lack of morals - corruption, greed, selfishness - that led to economic crises and the falling of nations. After service, we were invited to some snacks and to more conversation with the members of the church. At around 4:20, we decided to say goodbye, and continued walking around the park. The north side features Taiwan's oldest museum, the National Taiwan Museum. Coincidently, the museum turned out to have free admission as soon as we walked in (4:30 - free for half and hour until closing). We quickly skimmed the west wings of the 1st and 2nd floors.
Exhibits in the museum, showcasing Aboriginal culture and the effects of natural disasters.
There's lots of art at the Taipei MRT stations as well, this statue at the NTU Hospital Station.
Soon, we left the Museum and took the Taipei Metro from the NTU Hospital Station (bordering 228 Peace Park) to Zhongxiao Fuxing station, where the SOGO department stores are. There, we met my cousin, his wife, and my Great aunt (the eldest out of my mom's sisters, and my cousin's mom), who was back in Taiwan for the week. For dinner, we went to Din Tai Fung, one of Taiwan's most signature restaurants, specializing in Shanghai style steamed pork dumplings (xiao long bao, 小籠包).
Left: You can watch staff cook in the kitchen through a window.
Right: Order while you wait!
With great food comes great lineups, with a 40-50 minute wait despite reservations. We walked around the 11+ story department store (not including basements), before returning to the line to order food so that food would start arriving at the table as soon as we sat down. By the time we were seated, the waiting time had reached about 80 minutes. But the long line up means that it's worth the wait - here are some pictures!
After dinner, Kysen departed for his aunt's house as I went to my cousin's place to celebrate four birthdays: My Great Aunt, the two twin boys celebrating their first year, and my own - all taking place during the same week!
Almost one year old! (Daniel on the left, Alex on the right)
Cake cutting! (note: the numbers are spelling 19 backwards, not 61 =P).
Overall, another great day! Thanks to my cousin and his wife for the day's dinner plans, Rev. Michael Stainton for suggesting the Taiwan Justice Action Church and providing information, and Kysen for a good time =).
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