Coutryside (Taiwan)

If you live in Taiwan don't count how long you been and how far you know about Taiwan. No matter where you come from, but you could compare your own city in your motherland with cities in a small island called Taiwan.

101 Building, Taipei City

      Taiwan several years ago well known as 1 of 4 Asian Tigers Economy is a small island belong to Republic of China (ROC), a state in East Asia. Before I came to Taiwan, I thought Taiwan is a country, in fact it's not. Taiwan is an island which has for all practical purposes been independent since 1950, but which China regards as a rebel region that must be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. The residents of the state itself called their own island as FORMOSA. Formosa is Taiwan historical, especially prior to 1945, from Portugese; llha Formosa, it's mean ''Beautiful Island.''

        Taiwan is a beautiful island. Taiwan very famous with its beautiful mountains, beaches and cities. The biggest city in Taiwan is Taipei as capital city, located in the north. Kaohsiung is noted with its harbor located in the south. Both Taipei and Kaohsiung play an important role in the country's developments. Many big buildings and substantial offices built in that city. Some significant businesses also running from both cities.

Kaohsiung Harbor

     As a modern city, people run their business everyday almost 24 hours. Taiwan also has a strong emphasis on education and work. If you pay a special attention, you will see how busy the city in the morning due to the people go to work and schools. The crowded will start again in the afternoon, when the people returned home. I really impressed with such activities. It's no wonder if the country had a big progressed and changed just in a short time. Either Taiwanese or Chinese well-known very diligent, hard-working and studious. Sometimes I imagined if Indonesian people just like them, maybe Indonesia no need to send its citizen to go to work overseas. 

       Night markets are places where you can grab some bites, buy some clothes, and souvenir also provided. Many visitors came from other countries, they came to Taiwan as tourists and some as students on purpose. Taiwanese themselves got a big influence from foreigners involved their costumes and traditions. The main language in Taiwan is Chinese Mandarin, nowadays known as a top language in the world besides English. A lot of poeple from other countries came to Taiwan just want to learn Chinese language. My friend from Italy and Brazil can speak Chinese very well, otherwise I just spoke a little Chinese.

Shilin Night Market, Taipei

     Such other countries in Asia, Taiwan has rural town. In advance, I didn't know if in Taiwan also has so many villages, just like in Indonesia, but more contemporary. Taiwan also has a small population of aborigines who comprise about 2 percent of the total population. I stayed at suburbs place, so that many former and gardeners. Most people in my place like to do something in some traditional ways. I thought only Indonesian people washed their clothes in the rivers, but also in Taiwan some people did. I live in a township somewhere in Hsincu County, my place is more feasible as countryside. Partly people in my neighborhood are retired. They fulfill their days with many activities, such gardener and plants. Sometimes I got complementary vegetables from them. They said, it's more healthy to eat vegetables from their own crops. I thought so, and it's cheaper than we bought from supermarkets.    

        Certain traditional manner is when they want to get clean water. Most people got the clean water directly from the mountain, me included, even though some still bought in the supermarkets. The water from the mountain is more fresh and clean. They installed faucet filter and water hose washed every day. While in the long term it does not rain, we took a long line to fetching the water. Everyone should not cut in line or jumping the queue, we must wait our turn. Sometimes in the summer, I took more than two hours to take the water because there are too many people want to take it. It's Okey, besides I enjoy the queuing, I also gathered with them. I like had a conversation with them due to improve my Chinese language skills.

Queuing