The (reduced) Chen family in Taiwan, part 2
Local brands, local places, local faces
Lately I’ve been thinking about the moment Gwyneth Paltrow makes or misses the London tube car in the 1998 film “Sliding Doors.”
If you’ve seen it, then you remember the butterfly effect of what follows: two unique outcomes, sparked by a single fateful event.
She finds love either way, but the audience is also left questioning whether the timing of one scenario is better than the other.
There are other applicable movie references, too, I’m sure (namely 2004’s “The Butterfly Effect” with Ashton Kutcher, before he became a full-time techvester) but Sliding Doors hits more for me because I watched this romcom every time it was on TV in the late 2000s, and because it also takes me back to London.
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Today, missed and made connections became a sort of metaphor for the dynamics of traveling solo versus with a large group.
That’s because every serendipitous event (strangers who may approach you, places you discover or end up) are all impacted when you’re no longer solo and said group is your friends or family.
“Well duh,” you say.
Of course the travel experience is different on your own than with others.
But as someone who as of late has been traveling solo so much, it drives home what happens when us solo travelers readjust from the free will to choose our own travel style, speed, and destinations.
Such was the case when my recent Taipei trip took on a slower pace after my brother’s family left to return to the U.S. with just enough time to acclimate for back to school.
If part 1 was marked by a frenetic pace of sights and visits to top tourist attractions, then part 2 was all about local faces, places, and restaurants.
Left to remain were my parents and me, which reminded me of my last 2019 visit to Taipei with them before the world shut down.
After the bigger group departed, we moved to other hotels in different locations: from the eastern Nangang district to the quieter and more central Da’an and Zhongzhen districts.
My parents might move a bit more slowly, or have more anxiety or neuroses about small fussy details, but then I remind myself to be grateful for their existing mobility and cognitive ability–they are still largely independent and capable of traveling from point A to B on their own.
On my own, I stumbled back into my favorite shops, savored teas, meals, and conversations with aunts and uncles, and also enjoyed eating at restaurants I might not have ventured into, out of intimidation at not knowing all the characters on a Chinese-only menu.
Taipei shopping
I love shopping in Asia, particularly in Seoul and Taipei.
You can find super cute, original pieces, usually at lower cost but higher quality than in the U.S.
I popped into two of my favorite Taiwanese fashion labels: iROO and MOMA.
Both have locations all throughout Taipei—I might have picked up a souvenir or two 😉 and a couple of pieces for my mom and aunts.
Taipei restaurants
The best part of being with locals in a foreign country is the access and entrée into restaurants that you would normally never be able to entertain.
Such was the case for a few spots that were brimming with locals and absent of tourists. I tried several:
Ma Yeoh Chicken at Atu Sesame Oil Chicken
Fried oyster at Shin Yeh Taiwanese Cuisine
Fish, chicken, and pork liver Nong Lai Taiwanese Restaurant
Chicken curry at Sato Curry
Personal exploits and discoveries
The rain fell out of the sky for several days but after the storms cleared, I got a reprieve as the weather was several degrees cooler.
In my meanderings around town I was able to explore the popular Yong Kang shopping district, and later on I helped myself to the most delicious lemon cream tea drink from WooTEA and a lovely coffee pourover and chocolate cake at Rufous Coffee Roasters.
There is a huge artisanal coffee culture in Taipei, but oddly enough, only the Starbucks and coffee chains are open early.
Many coffee shops open on the later side, like 11am or after.
As my trip wrapped up and I headed out, I thought about how I experienced 2 Taipei itineraries; one more touristy and crazy, the other more subdued and residential.
Now that summer travel’s over, what are you reflecting on?
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Until next time,
Shindy
On Instagram + TikTok
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At least, I know you all are eating well!
Really fascinating comparing the differences of going solo vs with your family or group. You are the best!!!!!