Night markets

One of the most important things in Asia is food. They constantly ask me "have you eaten already?" "let's go eat something together!" or tell me that I have to eat this or that. Main topic of everyday conversation is food, and if you compliment their cuisine they are very happy. On our course's placement test I told the teacher that I liked Taiwanese snacks and that is probably why I'm in the advanced class now (there can be no other expanation...).

The reason I'm writing about food is because yesterday we visited yeshi 夜市 - a traditional Taiwanese night market. You can buy a lot of stuff there, but it is mainly about food. A lot of food.

First I tried jiaozi 餃子- dumplings with pork filling, which were delicious (and cost only 4 Taiwanese dollars a piece. In the photo below you can see how they are made). Next came papaya coctail with soy milk and some sweet pumpkin. I wanted to eat a lot more, but unfortunately my stomach has it's limits. I'm glad that I'll be here quite long, so I can taste a lot of stuff.

The atmosphere is also typially Asian - it's crowded, loud, colorful, fun and overwhelming. When people see a "white" (mine is usually red due to this temperature) face they try to talk to you, ask you where are you from ("America? No? Oooooh... Poland? What's that?"). The most persistent ones are old ladies who (beware!) touch your face or your hair and comment that it's "like a baby!". Personal space does not exist.

Last thing I wanted to write about today is bubble tea, which is becoming more and more popular in Poland. Here everybody drinks zhenzhunaicha 珍珠奶茶. Basically it's tea with milk and little tapioca balls. I'm a big fan of tea and I have to say that bubble tea is really worth trying!

Dumpling making on the market:

Me drinking bubble tea: