Beading is the “hottest” craft trend in Taiwan right now. There are so many beading supply stores open everywhere. My aunts and their neighbors are also very crazy about beading, and have been beading day-and-night whenever they have spare time. They gave me many of their beaded works during my last trip back home. When I said many, I meant over 30 pieces. I had to bring an additional suitcase to bring them back to the US with me. So, now, we have beaded animals displayed all over our house, just like my cousins’ houses, my parents’ house and my grandmother’s house. Everyone is “benefited” from my aunts’ beading hobby

Oh, the classic Taiwanese style slippers. We called these slippers, “blue & white slipper” and “red & white slipper". If you grow up in Taiwan or have ever visited Taiwan before, most likely you’ve seen people wearing them in the streets all the time. To most Taiwanese people, they are not just slippers. They are part of Taiwanese history and culture. They have gone through generations, and the up and down of Taiwan economy. They still maintain their original style and look as they were 50 years ago. And, they are still MIT, Made in Taiwan.

I brought back three pairs of them from Taiwan with me. They are our perfect backyard slippers!

I visited the famous Rueifong Night Market in Kaohsiung with my family during the recent trip home. It reminded me how fun the Taiwanese night markets were! When I was a child, my grandmother would take my brother and I to night markets at least once a week. We would play all sorts of games in the markets. The manual pinball game was one of our favorites, and I could see my nephews enjoyed the pinball game as well! They won quite a few toys as prizes.

You can usually find lots of street foods, clothing vendors, interesting items, and games in Taiwanese night markets. Next time, if you have a chance to visit Taiwan, don’t forget to ask people about the local night markets, and experience the Taiwanese-style night life!