Dogs!

One thing that we love about living in Taiwan is that we are constantly finding ourselves amused and entertained by various sightings of dogs and their owners whilst out and about, such as these...

Dogs in clothing

Dogs in pushchairs

(and there were two outside this shop - as well as

a few small children in pushchairs!)

And our favourite...

(though we feel very sorry for the poor dog!)

DOG ON A BODY BOARD!

(and if you look closely, you'll also see a dog with

its owner in a rubber ring!)

Just to share the joy, here's some video footage

that we took ;)

Oh, Taiwan!

A timely visit

Paul's parents came to visit for a few weeks. It was a timely visit, full of catching up, introducing them to people, places and things that have become special and significant to us, involving them in our life and work - and a lot of fun and laughter!

One of the hardest things about living in Taiwan is the distance between us and our family and friends, so it makes times like these even more precious!

Happy New Year - again!

At the moment we're celebrating New Year - again!

This time, Chinese New Year!

新年快樂!

Happy New Year!

Happy New...

This photo, taken in a pizza restaurant, provides a

good example of how Chinese can be read from

right to left, and how that translates into

English...or not!

Happy New Year by the way!!

The Wet Market

Wet Markets are markets which sell fresh fish, meat, vegetables and fruit, and some also sell various other things such as snacks, cooking utensils, clothes, etc. We've been told that they are called 'wet' markets because the floor is usually wet due to water being sprayed over the produce and floor to keep things clean. Wet markets can be found in most neighbourhoods in Taiwan, and they usually run in the mornings, although some are open during the afternoons.

We go to our local wet market roughly once a week to buy our fruit and vegetables. Here's a short video that we filmed on a recent visit to give you a feel for what Taiwanese wet markets are like:

Mid-Autumn/Moon Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the year, on the night of the full moon between early September and early October.

In Taiwan, people celebrate by eating Mooncakes which are dense pastry-like cakes with different sweet and savoury centres such as egg yolk, red bean, and meat which symbolise the moon.

Mooncake with egg yolk centre

People also eat Pomelos - large, pale green citrus fruits that taste a bit like Grapefruit

Pomelos (decorations not included!)

  

One of our favourite things about Mid-Autumn Festival is that lots of people celebrate by having a barbecue!

Barbecue - Taiwan style! Barbecued squid, anyone?!

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Ghost Month

Ghost Month takes place in the seventh lunar month of the year, usually in August/September time. It is said that Ghost Month is a time when ghosts are allowed out of hell to roam freely and visit the living. Many say that it is the ghosts holiday, and they seek food and entertainment.

In order to keep the ghosts happy, the Taiwanese

make offerings (mainly food), burn incense and

paper money

Even big businesses and department stores observe

Ghost Month

Some say that there are various things to avoid during Ghost Month, such as whistling, so as not to attract the unwanted attention of ghosts, and swimming, as it is said that a ghost who was drowned might try to drown someone in order to have a chance at rebirth.

Some say that observing Ghost Month is just a cultural custom or tradition. Some say that it is a superstition. Others say that it is religious.