4ever Discovering
Old Town Taipei
Walk and learn people
The first tour we went on was “Old Town Taipei”, this tour begins at the National Taiwan Museum, where they introduce themselves and the building. COOL FACT: the National Taiwan Museum was actually founded by the Japanese. During our tour, there happened to be a protest, so the area was packed with people wearing oranges shirts and holding signs. They were on their way to the 228 Peace Memorial Park, apparently they were protesting labour laws- it was quite the coincidence because it was Labour Day weekend back in Canada.
We had to stick close together and make our way through the maze of protesters. We took some stops to talk about the history of the Peace Park and how it has changed over the decades. Now it is a place where people hang out, and hold peaceful protests. We took a little break to do a health check, by walking barefoot on rocks, and you would read your diagnostic on a sign, which depends on where the pain is located. Mine concluded that I had a weak liver….. Hmm… I wonder why.
We walked by the Presidential Office- I mean legit walked by- the guards don’t like it when you stop. Apparently, they get very nervous and since there was already a protests going on they were even more stressed. The guides told us the guards at the Presidential Office resemble the ones at Buckingham Palace; where you can make silly faces and they can’t move an inch.
After that, we made our way through one of the oldest markets in Taipei, where women would go to get clothes, and shoes! Lots of shoes! Now days, it’s still these women who go there- the older generation, it was nice to walk through and see all the little shops.
Mid-way through, we stopped to get a bite at the oldest homemade ice cream store in Taipei- where you could get really odd flavours of ice cream. I mean the craziest flavours; everything from spicy chicken, mango, to wasabi. Danielle and I got a wine infused ice cream and might have had a buzz for the rest of the tour… We continue our tour and made our way to Ximen station, where we walked through the streets to find a beautiful temple- called the Tian Hohu Temple. It was beautiful. I think all temples give off this foreign power and mystery. They are truly breathtaking with all the detail in the architecture and especially with the hanging lanterns.
The last stop was “The Red House”, it was kind of hidden, and you walk by and into a little opening and see middle-aged women on the walls, dressed in beautiful gowns with hair and make-up done. You begin to think what kind of building is this, especially with the name “The Red House”, you think it might be another form of woman entertainment but it is a live singing show. Where these women show off their beautiful voices and that’s all ;).
The tour lasted about 2 and a half hours, it was very good, the guides were great. They could speak great English and gave you all the background of the buildings. I highly recommend it- I think they offer this one 3 times a week, so check it out and please give a donation to keep the organization going!