The sounds of Taiwan
After the church bells of Switzerland, the first sound we noticed in Taiwan was the pleasing and lyrical chime that announces the arrival of the garbage truck each evening.
Taiwan
Banishing a troublesome spirit
To mark the start of The Hungry Ghost Month, a tale about a visit to a temple to banish a troublesome ghost.
When you speak, I understand!
For a tone-deaf foreigner attempting to speak a language with four tones, this was high praise indeed. Speaking Chinese is difficult.
Something fishy about your name
People can change their names three times in Taiwan. You might get lots of free food, and even make some money, but it can also lead to problems. Is Dr Salmon available?
Repeat after me: Bu hao yi si
Words and actions are what makes the Taiwanese social machine run smoothly. The use of courtesy umbrellas when it rains is great too.
Cold out? You need a bowl of sugar
People need to be very careful about what they say and how they say it in Chinese. Be especially careful about borrowing someone’s pen.