Shengkeng Old Street :TOFU!

TOFU...TOFU..I love TOFU! So, when my new host mother Grace said that we were going to go to Shengkeng Old Street, I shot up and stood at the door way with my backpack on and rain gear in hand.  Grace took me and my host cousin by bus up the mountain a bit. We arrived at the street and I could already smell the tofu!

Throughout the past months of my exchange, I have just fallen more and more in love with tofu. I enjoyed it before I came, but I have experienced so many different ways to eat tofu and to enjoy it since being in Taipei. Many of you have probably heard about a little thing called "stinky tofu", which is a very famous way the Taiwanese enjoy there tofu. It is sold at every night market, and roadside stands all over. You can't miss it because it is indeed "stinky tofu." It is produced by fermented milk, vegetables, and meat. It can include other items as well. I have eaten tofu so many times however, it is the one way I do not enjoy tofu. The stench of it makes it difficult to put near your nose, but then when it is in your mouth it is like you are eating the stench. Not enjoyable! However, there are so many other different tofu snacks.

My favorite, is something called "dou-gan." That means dried tofu. This tofu is dried and pressed, however it still  moist within. Once it has completed the drying process, you can then eat it plain or marinate it in any kind of flavor. It is incredible and for sure my favorite snack!

There is also a form of sweetened tofu. It is flavored by coconut, peanuts, various beans, tapioca, and some kind of sugar. This is called "dou-hua" and it is so good! In winter you can eat it warm and in the summer you can have it cold with crushed ice. A wonderful way that I  have enjoyed eating tofu. This weekend, I tried a new way of sweetened tofu in the form of tofu ice cream. Also, quite good!

I also tried some new items that my host mother introduced me too. Taiwan has many unique fruits that I have never seen before.  I love most any fruit, it is one of my most favorite things here.  Grace introduced me to a traditional taro snack that was very populat many years ago. It has dried taro inside and a sticky outer layer. This snack does not have an English translation.  But, just know it so good and I wish you could be here to try it with me!

Thank you Grace for the wonderful day and the smiles you brought to my face! I learned so much, and enjoyed delicious TOFU! I appreciate you sharing the day with me!

Ama.

I rarely write blogs immediately after something. But this one is SO very special to me. Tonight, I spent the last night with my Ama.

My heart hurts right now and I am sad to be leaving my Ama. Ama, my host grandma for the past four months, has been so much more than my host grandma. She has truly been my best friend. We spend every night together in the house, just she and I. When I come home from school and she is in the shower, she finishes and then we eat together. I shower, then we spend the next few hours talking, or across the hall from each other as she watches T.V. and I go about my night. Ama and I laugh at dinner because she speaks Taiwanese not Chinese, and I speak Chinese. She always tells me at dinner how her teeth hurt so she can't eat things like I do. We pass each other in the hall way and scare each other as she makes her tea and I get my water. We have our laundry nights. We have "learn an English phrase night". Ama's favorite is "Good night." I will miss accidently walking in on each other, in the bathroom, in the dark, at six in the morning. She brightens my day with her special compliments and her rubbing my face. Together we have made each other laugh so hard, sometimes my stomach hurts we laugh so hard. At 90 years old, she still does nightly stretching with me. I will miss Amas's beautiful eyes, soft skin, rubber-banded shirts, aching knees, awesome laugh and smile, but beneath it all, the most amazing heart!

Ama and I just said goodbye to each other with tears and the biggest, warmest hug.  My heart if full of thankfulness and happiness that this woman has been a part of my life.  An indescribable bond and an absolutely indescribable feeling.

I miss you already. I love you forever Ama.

Earthquake(s)

On March 27, there was a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that shook Taipei. It was my second earthquake since being in Taiwan, hence the title of this blog. The first I experienced earthquake was in the 5.0 magnitude range. I was in Chinese class in the morning and as my teacher was talking, our desks moved, the chairs moved, the speakers started making noises and shaking side to side on the wall, and you could feel the floor rumble a bit. It was really fast and we just moved on with class which yes...I know is a bit weird. But, it is kind of like a fire drill for the US because it happens so often here just not big ones.

However, this week's earthquake was scary. I was once again in Chinese class, but on a ten minute break. I was the only person standing in the room at the time and was talking to my classmates. All of sudden I felt like I was moving and I became light headed. I had gone running in the morning and thought I maybe didn't drink enough water,  but then I really felt like I was moving. I stopped talking at this point, and it was silent for a moment. A few desks moved, books slid, and I definitley swayed back and forth. It was over in a little over a half a minute. My teacher gave us the talk about the procedures that we should follow in the future, should we be in this position or a stronger earthquake.

I am fine! My mom told me a few of you had contacted her and I also received a few messages. Thank you for your concern. I am all safe and good! Just another first and a memorable experience!