EXPLORING XIMENDING BY FOOT ON TAIWAN TRIP THIRD DAY

Location: Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan

Ximending at night

We woke up in the morning disappointed because there was rain and it was pouring hard. With this, we did not obliged ourselves to wake up early. We walked to a 7-Eleven four our breakfast just two blocks away from our accommodation. This is where we usually take our breakfast since early in the early in the morning, no establishments are open where we can buy food.

The Nishi Honganji Square

Despite of heavy rains where we just equipped ourselves with locally bought rain coats at NT$10 or P20.41, we walked to Carrefour for shopping, but along the way, we happened to pass by the Nishi Honganji Square. I am reminded when I was still working in Qatar where we also shop on its Carrefour Department Store and Supermarket.

Waiting for the rain to subside

Since it was really raining, we stayed longer at the Nishi Honganji while we were alternating taking pictures. This is just five blocks away from our accommodation.

Putting on our raincoats ready to leave Carrefour

We were obviously soaked in rain when we arrived at the Carryfour. However, my shoppaholic friends are unstoppable to have their shopping and they were equipped with ecobags because wherever you buy in Taipei, they would not give you a bag. You will pay for the small bag at NT$4 or NT$5 for the bigger one.

Approaching Carrefour

The following are the pictures I have captured while were inside Carrefour. I only bought chocolates for "pasalubong" and no more no less. But really, I find their items cheaper compared when you buy back home in the Philippines.











Hungry after three hours of shopping

Though I did not go on extensive shopping, I also felt hungry because by the time my companions finished their shopping, it was already lunch time and so we decided to go to the fourth level of Carrefour to look for a good restaurant to eat.

The restaurant where we decided to have our lunch

It is a funny thing that some establishments when asked about their English name, the staff or even the manager cannot translate their Chinese name to English. This is the reason whey I just posted the name of the restaurant we dined in for lunch.

The Sunmerry Bakery

Sunmerry Bakery sells Taiwanese traditional pineapple short cakes individually packed or also in boxes with different flavors which are good as giveaways back home or "pasalubong". The staff gave us something to taste on so that we will know how delicious their product was. My companions bought some so that they can bring them back to the Philippines to give to their families and friends. Surprisingly, these products are not expensive.

The Sunmerry Bakery products on display

After buying some items in Sunmerry Bakery, we went back to our accommodation to unload our shopped items and be ready for the afternoon's trip at the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and the Taipei 101 where both has separate posts.

In the evening, I went to the Red House. I noticed that during the evening, it is always open and so I went their alone while my companions where busy shopping some items in the shopping row of Ximending.

As a background, the Red House was constructed in 1908 by Japanese architect Kondo Juro, which was the first government-built public market in Taiwan and also the most well-preserved Class III historic building in the nation. It consists of "Bagua" shaped Octagonal Display Hall as the grand entrance for it's meaning - people visiting from all around the world, a characteristic Cruciform Building as main construction and adjacent South and North squares. (Source: The Red House brochure)

Something that you will see inside the Red House

Inside The Red House you will find he perfect place for a relaxing teatime "The Red House Tea Shop", a Taiwanese style craft shop with goodies selected from all over Taiwan "The Red House Select Shop", "Creative Boutique" is an exhibiting and sales space which is also dedicated to promoting small business in Cultural and Creative Industry and a professionally equipped performance space with retro and elegant decoration. The Red House also has events promoting different cultural experiences such as regular-scheduled guided tours, creative seminars, craft workshops, weekend handicraft market, theatrical performances from time to time and special exhibition in Central Display Area. (Source: The Red House brochure)

The Red House Reception Area

The following are my captured photos of what you will inside the Red House.

















The Art Exhibit Area









The Theater

The Cityscape from The Red House door

The Red House has been through few functions, shifted from public market, storytelling saloon, cinema, to a theater. More than a decade has passed since 2007 when Department of Cultural Affairs entrusted Taipei Culture Foundation to manage The Red House as a platform to promote Cultural and Creative Industry in the goal of reviving Ximending's community. After gathering years of cultural and creative energies, The Red House is now considered as the most iconic location of Cultural and Creative Industry in not only Taipei, but all around Taiwan.(Source: The Red House brochure)