#Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

[cbholganza]

Taiwannabe With You!!!

Had a quick visit to Taiwan recently. My wife and I wanted to give the family a short respite, something we haven’t done together for a long time. The last time we had a fam-time abroad was in 2013, when we had a quickie vacation in Vietnam. (Pls read: Vacationing in Vietnam.) This time, I wanted them to experience a different, yet equally beautiful and proud culture, that of Taiwan. Our…

[i-think-pictures]

[eduseyes]

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

2023.07.03

[jeffd3]

[syaolaurant]

YO THIS IS THE COOLEST THING I DID TODAY!!!!!

I went to Chiang Kai Shek memorial hall in Taipei today and saw THIS!!!!! I was like yooooooo!!! I didn't know there is a Fantastic Beasts exhibition in Taipei before!!! This is so unexpected I jumped and smiled like an 8 years old hahaaa 🤣🤣🤣🤣

The exhibition is called "Monsters and the Fantasy World of Nature", display original props and from the HP and FB movies. And from that highlights the connection between the fantastic beasts featured in rhe movies and real-life natural creatures.

1. Newt Scamander's outfit and Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them book.

3. Unicorn core wands belong to Ron, Draco and Lupin.

4. The Erumpent (It's funny I need to press the "bottle cape shape" button to trigger his action just like the movie haha)

5. The Mermaid from Prefect Bathroom.

6. Mooncalves 🥹 They look too cute irl.

7. Newt's suitcase with Tina's photo inside. I remember I was so happy seeing this scene in the 2nd movie they're my OTP 😭😭 Seeing this today made me so happy 😊

8. The happy 8 years old 🤣🤣

[linghxr]

My trip to Taiwan

I took a break from posting because...I went to Taiwan! This was my first time going there, and I was mostly in Taipei. I had a great time and took many, many photos. I'll share some highlights here (along with commentary) to commemorate my trip.

Left: Liberty Square 自由廣場 Right: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial 中正紀念堂

You can't tell here, but there was a row of porta-potties directly to the left of the archway. That was a funny sight. There was also a stage in the middle of the square. Maybe they do outdoor concerts?

Left: Tamsui Old Street 淡水老街 Right: "Sidewalk"

Besides the main roads, most streets lacked raised sidewalks. Instead, they had a painted path. I had to get comfortable being very, very close to cars and other vehicles.

Left: Motorbike parking lot near Tamsui Old Street Right: Covered sidewalk.

I’ve seen motorbikes before in China, but Taipei took things to a new level. Motorbikes were absolutely everywhere. I even saw this parking lot exclusively for motorbikes. They rule the streets.

In the busy downtown districts, you often don’t need an umbrella due to the covered sidewalks. You can walk for blocks and blocks while staying covered. This was pretty convenient on rainy days.

Left: Jadeite Cabbage 翠玉白菜 at the National Palace Museum 國立故宮博物院 Right: Umbrella rack (also at the museum)

Confession—I didn't think the National Palace Museum was that good. Probably because I've been to the actual Forbidden City in Beijing. And sadly, the Meat-Shaped Stone wasn't on exhibit.

In the US, some stores will provide a plastic bag for your wet umbrella. In Taipei, many stores had a rack or basket outside instead. Most were not as secure or elaborate as the one pictured.

Left: Eslite Xinyi Store (bookstore) 誠品信義店 Right: Sun Yat-sen Memorial 國父紀念館

I bought a couple books and a Yoga Lin CD at the Eslite 24-hour bookstore. I only planned to swing by, but I think I spent 2 hours there. I definitely recommend checking it out if you're in Taipei.

Taipei 101 台北101

It was overcast when I went to Taipei 101, but the view was still nice. On the bright side, there was NO line. 101 is by far the tallest building around, so you really feel that you're looking down at the city.

Taroko National Park 太魯閣國家公園

Taroko was the only place I visited outside of the Taipei/New Taipei City area. It's in Hualien county on the east coast. There were so many betel nut stores in the countryside on the way there.

Left: Pond at NTU 國立臺灣大學 Right: 228 Peace Memorial Park 二二八和平紀念公園

Taipei has the best parks! They really put American parks to shame. Before going, I didn't understand why so many Taipei parks are tourist destinations with 4.5+ star reviews, but now I totally get it.

Elephant Mountain 象山

I didn’t realize how mountainous Taiwan is. Taipei is cradled by mountains, so there are many places to hike, even within city limits. I braved the rain for the famous view from Elephant Mountain.

Subway billboard 臺北捷運

The Taipei Metro/MRT was amazing. So fast, clean, frequent, and convenient. US subway systems are a joke in comparison. These are from an amusing series of billboards promoting riding etiquette.

Some other observations:

I was quite impressed by all of the English signage in Taipei. I think it would be very easy to navigate even if you don’t know Chinese. Many stores and small eateries had menus, signs, etc. in English.

I knew Taiwan had many convenience stores, but I was not prepared to see a Family Mart or 7/11 on every block. Someone needs to open this style convenience store in the US ASAP.

I saw numerous adds featuring Korean actors like Son Ye-jin and also kpop groups like IVE and NewJeans. I also heard kpop playing at various stores, whereas in America, I only hear it at Hmart.

I was struck by how many street signs and subway stops names used pinyin romanization. There was a lot of inconsistency and mixing of different romanization systems. For example, you have Taipei vs. Beitou (same character: 北).

There were many Japanese stores, pharmacies, and restaurants. Upon further consideration, this makes sense given Taiwan's history, but it stood out to me nonetheless.

Overall, I had a lovely time in (mostly) Taipei. As a big city (but not too big) surrounded by beautiful nature, there's something for everyone. I already want to go back! Of course I also want to see some other areas of Taiwan too. Maybe next year.

[ejamesquijano]

LET’S GET OUT SOMEWHERE FAR THIS TIME In search of kindness, purity, and serene happiness

There is this one question that always stuck with me ever since I have read it somewhere: When was the last time you did something for the first time? Such a simple sentence yet the weight of it lingers in me thereafter. Today though, I’ll have an answer to that question, this is also a simple one but certainly one for the books of this dear existence too — Another first time to ever happen in my life was that I lived in a different country for a month.

And it really warms my heart to meet you again, Taiwan.

Since I tell the stories of my life in here and if you’ve been reading them, you would know that I did have a rough start this year and it was just recently that I am slowly bringing myself up from the chaos. But in the middle of 2024, I was offered an opportunity to work overseas and I seized it immediately. I can say now that it was one of the best decisions I have made this year because I never thought that this work trip would save me in more ways than one. I was working, yes, but for lots of reasons this felt like some sort of an escapade.

The Supercut:

Quick stop at Geo’s. Morning rush. Sunny flight. Hello again Taipei. Meeting the Taiwanese team. Stayed at Taoyuan. Life in Aspire Inn. Rm 3107. Ah Mu Ping adventures. Ximen Reservoir. Sesame Hotel’s grandeur. 13 shooting days. 2am Walk. Quick visit at Dihua St. Reverse Shoot calls. Nightly pagpags. Rainy afternoons. 7 Eleven nights. Google Translate. Night out at a Breeze rooftop bar. Midnight snacks at Mcdonald’s. An afternoon photowalk in Taoyuan. Digicam Memories. Fun times with actors and crew. Learning Taiwanese phrases. Appreciating new-found Taiwanese friends in the same field. 2 days in Taipei. Night biking at Chiang Kai-shek Park. Dinner x Booze night with Art Department. One bottle at Revolver. Visited Eslite Bookstore. Golden hour walks at Chiang Kai-shek Park. Foodtrip at Raohe Night Market. Booze night with Camera Department at Jellyfish Bistro and Bar. Picture wrap at Sesame. Afternoon road trip to Taipei. Quick photowalk x biking at Ximending. Visited The Red House x DVD Shop. Passed by Fong Da Coffee. Explored the roads around Ximending. Wrap Party at a KTV room in Partyworld. Sing-along featuring Meteor Garden OST. Bought treats x Xing Fu Tang milk tea at Ximending before calling it a night. Packing my stuff at dawn. 6am ride to the airport. Feeling everything at this point. Lim Giong’s 單純的人 in my playlist. Airport things. Afternoon Manila touchdown. KFC for lunch. Another stop at Geo’s before my bus ride home.

Sometimes my life seems like a blur when I am working, but as I write this and reminisce, I can actually say that I was so fucking happy. This second visit to Taiwan was an escapade indeed, and now it seems like I am coming back to reality. Well, it just feels surreal living somewhere far for a month and doing the job that I love which is making a film. What an experience, truly. And it felt really bittersweet to think that every great thing always ends in goodbyes. But I am happy, I won’t dwell in the blues today ‘cause this memory will always bring me indescribable delight.

That’s a wrap Taiwan. You will always have a special corner in my heart, so I’ll see you again someday.

*** 35mm Kodak Gold 200 June, 2024

[calpicowater]

Week 26.8/52: June 24th - June 30th 2024 | National Palace Museum 🥬

national palace museum (so much pretty things in there!)

taiwanese hot pot for lunch

chiang kai shek memorial hall

ximen night market for dindin

daily sausage for lily

[heyyyypril]

Rain in Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

[momotravelyt]

Taiwan Vlog: What to do and eat in Taipei ✈️ | Traditional Food, Old Street, Taipei 101

Yes, finally I finished this vlog! This will be an introvert's solo 5 day trip to Taiwan. We will go interesting places and enjoy lots of amazing food.

Taiwan, an absolute jewel in Asia, is my one of my top destinations to visit, because of its beautiful landscapes, warm-hearted people, and delicious food. I really enjoyed tasting street food like taro rice balls, soy milk, marinated eggs, braised pork rice matcha cake, browsing the souvenir shops, sitting in the coffee shops watching people coming and going. Taiwan has so much more interesting places to explore that I have never visited. I really enjoyed this trip.

Where to go in Taipei: Elephant Mountain 象山登山步道 Jiufen Old Street 九份老街 Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall 中正紀念堂 Yong Le Market 永樂市場 Ningxia Night Market 寧夏夜市 Shi-men Ting 西門町 Taipei 101 台北101

What to eat in Taipei: A-Mei Teahouse 阿妹茶樓 Matcha One Moon Moon Food 雙月食品社 A Fighter Cafe 逆風樓咖啡館 Fuhang Soy Milk 阜杭豆漿 西螺祖伝麻糬大王

Where to stay in Taipei: Grand Hyatt Taipei Taipei Marriott Hotel Sheraton Grand Hotel Taipei

#taiwan #taipei #sololeveling #solotrip #台灣 #台北 #travel #travel #taipei101 #taipeifood

Free Music for Videos 👉 Music by Rytas - Don't Look Down - https://thmatc.co/?l=76C6018F

[gaybd1]

Fuck Chiang Kai-Shek (especially on 6/4)

His memorial looms

The sharp white angles and tented roof,

Larger than life.

It should have been torn down decades ago

Or at least renamed.

It faces a square full of decades of history

Blood, sweat, tears, and wild lilies

Some stand here tonight

Survivors of another square, separated by decades and thousands of miles.

His memorial looms over a white tent

Full of photographs of hopeful faces and shrouded bodies

Juxtaposed together

A woman on a bicycle hides from tanks under a bridge

Candles outline a date

Four forbidden numbers that people across the sea get arrested for.

A pillar of shame stands nearby

And I wonder if he would even feel any.

As prayers are led and activists give speeches in Cantonese

It’s hard not to think about the precarious threads

Separating a few countries’ fates from each other.

The amount of Hong Kongers in the crowd is noticeable.

His memorial looms over the candles, the photos, the speeches

And wonder I about if things had been different.

With less than a year separating the Tank Man from the wild lilies

What would have happen if they had succeeded

Or those here had failed?

[i-think-pictures]

Taipei, Taiwan

[riley-travels]

Independent Excursion 1- Black Hat Jazz, Presidential Office Concert, and Music Politics in Taiwan

Sabrina and I wanted to hit a jazz cafe and bar called Black Hat while we were in Taipei, and the performance was so amazing that I chose to focus on the music culture for my independent excursion. The band was so good and they ended up having a jam session with other musicians at the , improvising the songs fantastically. As we had chosen to right about this, we also thought it would be a good idea to go see the Presidential Office Concert that was being held outside of the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. It was free to get in so we got there early and got amazing seats. The concert was absolutely breathtaking and had an amazing energy. There were so many genres of music represented, with indigenous music and languages being highlighted in the beginning. There were some songs where most of the audience knew the words, as well as a few where only the adults knew the words, which reminded me of going to music festivals with my dad.

Academic:

The study, “The Politics of Implementing Local Cultures in Music Education in Taiwan”, by Wai-Chung Ho on the politics of implementing local cultures in music education in Taiwan provides a comprehensive analysis of how Taiwan's political and cultural dynamics influence its music education system. The research highlights the efforts to incorporate local Taiwanese cultures, particularly indigenous and aboriginal music, into the school curriculum as part of the broader cultural and educational reform movements reflecting on the broader implications for cultural identity and national unity in Taiwan.

One of the critical cultural aspects discussed in the study is the inclusion of indigenous Taiwanese music in the school curriculum. Indigenous Taiwanese music encompasses the traditional musical practices of Taiwan's aboriginal communities, who represent about 1.7% of the population. These groups have distinct musical styles that are integral to their cultural identities, including unique instruments, vocal techniques, and performance practices. The promotion and preservation of this music through education are seen as crucial for maintaining Taiwan's diverse cultural heritage and fostering a sense of belonging among all of the students instead of just some. The Taiwanese Ministry of Education (MoE) has made significant efforts to incorporate indigenous music into the school curriculum. These efforts include revising teaching materials, organizing cultural events, and promoting local artists. The school music curriculum now includes a range of indigenous musical styles, such as the call-and-response songs of the Puyuma tribe, which have become popular in both traditional and contemporary contexts. Additionally, the MoE has encouraged the use of indigenous languages in teaching, aiming to preserve these languages alongside their musical traditions.

Despite these efforts, several challenges remain. The study highlights the limited support for teacher education in indigenous cultures, resulting in many teachers feeling unprepared to teach this material effectively. Additionally, the curriculum reforms are often criticized for being superficial, lacking depth in teaching materials that would allow students to fully appreciate and enjoy indigenous cultures. Many, both students and teachers, may also just not be interested in the indigenous music, leading to half hearted attempts regardless of the curriculum. There is also a tension between the localizing tendencies of these reforms and the globalizing influences that dominate contemporary education, making it difficult to balance local and global musical traditions in the curriculum. However, reflecting on the indigenous music of Taiwan, provides an opportunity to explore broader questions of cultural identity and preservation. In Taiwan, promoting indigenous music is part of a broader effort to assert a unique national identity distinct from China. This process involves both celebrating local cultures and navigating the complex historical and political relationships between Taiwan and mainland China.

In my own culture, the promotion and preservation of local music and cultural traditions also play a significant role in shaping national identity. For example, in the United States, there is a similar wealth of musical traditions, including Native American music, African American spirituals, and folk music from various immigrant communities. These musical traditions are integral to the American cultural landscape and are often incorporated into educational curricula to promote cultural understanding and appreciation. However, also similarly there remains push back against learning anything that was not created by the dominant group of ‘modern America’, in this case white (often christian) europeans. Taking elective music classes during my whole schooling up through highschool, I cannot recall a single time that indigenous music was taught or even spoken. Though, thankfully, we did consistently learn pieces created by African American artists. Between the Taiwanese and American contexts there is an emphasis on preserving and promoting diverse cultural traditions through education. In both cases, there is a recognition that music is a powerful tool for fostering a sense of cultural identity and community. However, the specific challenges faced in Taiwan, such as the tension between local and global influences and the political implications of promoting indigenous cultures, differ from those in the United States. In the U.S., the challenges often revolve around issues of representation, inclusion, and the heavy commercialization of cultural traditions by others for a profit.

I chose to focus on the cultural aspect of indigenous music in Taiwan because it resonates with my interest in the intersection of cultural identity and education. Indigenous music in Taiwan represents such a rich and diverse heritage that is crucial for understanding the island's history and identity. Moreover, the efforts to preserve and promote this music through education reflect broader global trends in cultural preservation and identity politics.

The 2024 Presidential Office Concert in Taiwan serves as a notable example of the country’s commitment to celebrating its cultural diversity. This event featured performances from various cultural groups, including indigenous musicians and in indigenous languages, and aims to showcase the richness of Taiwan's cultural heritage. The concert provides a platform for indigenous artists to present their music to a wider audience, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation and the role of music in national identity and global showcasing.

[to-taiwan-from-fanny]

07/15/2024

July 15 - Chiang Kai-Shek memorial, Grand Hotel, and Shilin Night Market

Day 4 started with a bang; i.e., the sound of Faith dropping something next to my bed and awaking me from my slumber. It was for the best though, as if I had woken up any later, I would've been late for our first meeting in an actual classroom. We quickly went downstairs and did our readings before heading out to do the actual touring part.

TMI, but today was probably the most I've ever sweated in my life. Having lived in Miami for all 19 years of my life, I had confidently told Faith before our study abroad trip that I could take whatever torturous conditions Taiwan threw at us, a statement which she instantly scoffed at. It might've all been in lighthearted fun but I'm definitely eating my words: it's way too hot - every day feels like I'm being progressively lowered into a giant melting pot.

I loved all that we saw today though! Had to pat myself on the back for doing the readings beforehand because it really contextualized the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. We went to a few more things after, ending at the Shilin Night Market which I had gone to with Faith before the program started. Totally exhausted, I convinced her to leave with me and we ended up back at our hotel by 7pm, a nice early time to sleep. Too bad I stayed up watching the newest season of Love Island instead. I didn't do my laundry today, so I completely avoided whatever hell everyone else went through today - it reminded me to count my blessings.

no backstories behind my photos today, just pretty views

Academic Reflection

As I mentioned earlier, the readings we had done on Chiang Kai-Shek just an hour or so before visiting the memorial made me enjoy our tour that much more!

It's so interesting learning about the amount of work that goes into creating a personality cult: the level of intricacies that go into keeping one afloat. Layers upon layers of hypocrisy: condemning the actions and figures of other leaders (ex. Chairman Mao) whilst employing the very same strategies they use to spread his influence across the nation. From what Peter was telling us, Taiwan under his rule felt very much like a dictatorship. From the generational passing of power, to the one-party system, to the infinite presidential time, I was getting deja vu to North Korea hearing him list everything out.

It's hard to imagine Taiwan go from that to being one of the most democratic and progressive nations in the world (ranked number 8 according to Peter!) just an odd century later. I'd later learn that, much like most things past the 1800's, it was due to pressure from America that the government changed its ways. It's a wonder how big stick diplomacy continues to work time after time again.

[irismfrost]

July 16 - National Palace Museum and Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence

The National Palace Museum contains China’s most precious artifacts. During the 20th century, China was involved in many wars, including civil wars, sino-japanese wars, and world wars. The government wanted to keep these artifacts safe, so they were boxed up and moved around to different locations throughout the first half of the 20th century. Eventually, these artifacts were shipped to Taiwan during war times. The National Palace Museum was founded and opened to the public in 1965. There are so many artifacts that the museum rotates the items every 3 months. The museum has 3 floors of artifacts. They are organized a little bit by time period and you can tell by the type of material and designs of the artifacts. All of these artifacts are priceless. We took a look at this one blue-ish ceramic bowl. It was pretty basic looking and if it didn’t have any history attached to it, I would pay 10 USD for it at Goodwill. It is worth 36 million USD. It was interesting to see the influences of each dynasty on these pieces. It’s crazy how hundreds of years of history can be squished into an hour or two walking around a museum. 

We also visited the Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence. Yesterday, we visited his memorial. He was the first president of Taiwan, fleeing to Taiwan after losing the Civil War in China. He positioned himself as a savior and a powerful leader. The people around him respected him and were a necessary proponent of his success. His residence had a beautiful garden and a large house, I assume it was especially large for the time period. This house welcomed many famous people and many important political conversations took place within those walls. I particularly want to draw attention to his wife, Soong Mei-ling. She knew how to play politics and would join Chiang in important conversations with guests. She grew up in the US and went to Wellesley College majoring in literature. She was a fan of the fine arts, an avid painter, writer, reader, and also enjoyed movies and music. Chiang also appreciated these and was known to always have a book on hand. Chiang died in 1975 in this house, surrounded by family and friends. Soong Mei-ling passed away in 2003 in New York City. 

Reflection

There seems to be a divide within the people living in Taiwan. Part of this divide stems from Chiang Kai-shek. Some people love him and associate him with freedom and democracy. They see him as a savior because of his efforts against communism in China. Others see him as an invader and authoritarian leader that highly encourages others to adopt his ways. I think that even though everyone lives in Taiwan, some also associate themselves with their Chinese heritage, while others do not. The National Palace Museum, for example, is more like a museum for Chinese culture instead of Taiwanese culture, despite the fact that all of the artifacts belong to Taiwan.

[brookebeebe-blog]

July 16th - National Palace Museum and Chiang Kai Shek Shilin Residence

Today, I woke up early and couldn’t go back to sleep. Of course, I still had clothes to dry because the dryer did not dry my clothes last night. I went back to the laundry room and put my clothes in for another two hours to see if that would finally do the trick (it did not, they are still wet). Anyway, I decided it was time to reconnect with nature after the tragedies I kept experiencing in the laundry department. I went to a bakery close to the hotel, got a croissant, sat at a park and contemplated life. We had an activity pretty early this morning, so I went back to the room and got ready for the day. We started with the National Palace Museum. The artifacts were all super beautiful. It was crazy to see how much some of them would sell for. One tiny teacup would go for $38 million US dollars. Next, we got some all you can eat BBQ, which was very exciting. Lastly, we visited the Chiang Kai-Shek Residence and honestly, I expected more. From seeing extremely extravagant memorial hall the day before, his house was actually quaint compared to it. It was still large and ornately decorated, but I was expecting hundreds of rooms and golden doors. We came back to the hotel after this and I am working on the dinner situation.

Academic Reflection

The reading today is based on the National Palace Museum. The construction is a bit controversial because of the narrative that can be spun by selecting specific artifacts and exhibits to paint a picture of history that they want to portray. Furthermore, the collection of antiques and arts traditionally represents sovereignty, which is something a bit controversial. When the museum was built, it had to represent a modern republican status, but still maintain its Chinese lineage. The main issue is the fight for sovereignty between Taiwan and China. It will most likely remain a complicated issue for years to come. The museum was extremely beautiful and it was impossible to tell this convoluted backstory surrounded it. Some of the most interesting things I learned were that jade and gold almost always go together and while gold represents wealth, jade represents class. Another rather sad fact was that artists would be commissioned to create these insanely complex pieces and their lives and families lives would be threatened if they were not completed within a specific amount of time. Lastly, women were expected to die with their husbands and would often commit suicide to go into the grave with them.