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For those of you that don't know, I had the opportunity to spend a month in Taiwan this summer. While I was there, one of my favorite activities was going to the night markets, called 夜市(yèshì). The night markets present a great opportunity to shop (utilize that exchange rate!), eat delicious and exotic food (crickets, anyone?), play games, and practice your Mandarin. Aside from all of my new friends and having access to an unlimited amount of dumplings, night markets are one of the things I miss most about Taiwan.
Thanks to TASC Binghamton and their volunteers, I got to re-visit a Taiwanese night market this weekend--and I didn't even have to sit on a plane for 13+ hours to get there. They had everything from dumplings and scallion pancakes to games and prizes. My friend, Annie, and I put our chopstick skills to the test in an M&M race--whoever transfers the most M&Ms from one container to another in 30 seconds, wins. Annie won. I'll definitely be working on my chopstick-coordination in the next few weeks because the dexterity and precision was just not there. I transferred a total of two M&Ms. Two. Pretty pathetic.
We also tried a game called Bottle Up. Using only a string with a small ring attached at one end, you must stand a glass bottle up. Super easy, right? Nope. I waited in line for ten minutes, and didn't see anyone stand their bottle up successfully. I couldn't do it either. I clearly need to step up my night market game.
My favorite part of this weekend's night market was the recreation of the Taipei International Flora Exposition. This exposition, which opened in November 2010, was the first internationally recognized exposition held in Taiwan. The many pavilions showcase the natural beauty of Taiwan and the surrounding area . TASC members and volunteers adorned an entire wall of the night market with gorgeous flowers, creating an explosion of captivating colors. Pictures to follow.