It is a beautiful day at Taipei today - a sunny day after days of rain.
台北美好的週日早晨，今天做什麼事好？
After I wake up, I see a note on my laptop … My wife has given me a list for grocery shopping and no buying from nearby supermarket but from a traditional market that I need to ride subway for 2 stations. Well, it is a beautiful day and my wife’s order is not to be challenged. Besides, an idea pops up: why not share it on Steemit as an introduction for Taiwan’s local markets! (triggered by @elfkitchen ‘s post one week ago) This idea makes me so positive about my coming chore!! Although my wife sees through my brain and gives me a scornful look..
朋友們，看中文的讀者對於台灣這種傳統市場應該不陌生，我看亞洲各國，大中華圈的傳統市集，大概是賣的東西略有不同，但是那種氣氛是很類似的！我總覺得儘管似乎被認為是不衛生的、不進步的傳統市場，其實正是我們文化的重要成分，這裡面有非常好的生命力與庶民文化，每每我去過市場後都充滿能量的回家！內容我就不多介紹了，今日採購，總金額約38塊美金，下周聽說台灣有颱風要來，物價已經有點漲了，但今天買起來還是挺划算的感覺！這是離我家20分鐘地鐵交通的台北南邊的一個市場...
Anyway, I took my dumbphone, wallet and shopping bag and stormed out of the door! After 20 mins, I have arrived this local, traditional, vibrant, hustling and bustling market! Follow me and see it for yourself via my dumbphone camera!
People, lots of people, more people... is always what you see first entering a market...
But as you blend in, gradually, you see only those beautiful, fresh and delicious nature's gifts on the booths... all kinds of vegetables, peppers, garlics, potatoes, tomatoes...
Roasted chickens, flowers, fruits, fresh fish, chicken... oh, some pictures of pork butcher booth are here and here (in case someone find them too cruel to watch... ) ... I think these are enough for cooking all kinds of meals today!!
If you feel hungry after a bit of shopping and bargaining, there are some treats for your stomach. Even newspapers are here for your casual Sunday read.
In the following, these are ALL the grocery in my shopping bag today!! Aren't they just gorgeous!? Total cost should be around $1200 TWDs, roughly $38 USDs. Given the forecast of coming typhoon next week (therefore pushing up prices for veges and fruits), this is quite a harvest!!
Sometimes when I feel depressed or unhappy, it is quite effective to cheer you up if you just visit a traditional market. You will feel life and energy there - be it noisy bargaining or greetings, pushing and shoving around, or smells of nature in the air - all may revive your inner power and recharge your depleted battery. This is not possible if you go to modern supermarkets.
下次到台灣，一定要找個上午，很早就到傳統市場去逛逛看看，感受一下在地生活的脈動，當然更可以順便吃點便宜又好吃的早餐啦！
(a pepper signature gift from @papa-pepper!)