A Small Town “Jiufen” in Taiwan - A City of Sadness

From Taipei Railway Station, take the 40-minute inter-city trains, sub-10 minutes by bus to this town, called “Jiufen”. Before came to Taiwan, almost all my friends recommended me here, in the eyes of many people, “Jiufen” is Hou Hsiao-hsien, "Jiufen " is a City of Sadness".

Walking on the road in the street of "Jiufen", lined shop on both sides forcing the  roads  are crowded, many tourists speciallycome here , but too large to be sideways. The shop selling the most is tourist souvenirs and local snacks, the price is not high, but most similar, in fact, plainly, is selling  the memory  of “Jiufen”， The town was originally mine, now dilapidated, but  the color dark gray cannot change . Though not waterfront, but slightly higher where the yin and yang can be held the sea not far, most of the days in the year are unbearable humidity, rain is always unexpected, and even the air had become cold . The atmosphere and mood are in fact suitable for artists.

 last ten years, they gradually have dozens of artists came from big cities like Taipei, putting down roots, the artists seek share of it lightly and quiet, those fleeting inspiration and creation, are quietly scattered in that dizzying among small shops will always find some corner inadvertently may be hand-painted T shirt or a postcard, self-made owl lamp or various crafts on the cats, each one has a story.

They will not go down from the streets, just a few minutes journey. You will find that even the air seemed to be quiet down. Only away from the tourist areas can breathe real air of "Jiufen". Find a B & B from the Internet, really made me extremely surprise. Abstract to the flowers from mountains, simply take a glass bottled up and place in the living room, are of particular vitality like, . Since the host is about a pair of three-year-old young couple, started from scratch, make money by selling noodles Snacks, spent ten years built this B & B, and also owes a debt ass. Cook their tea, coffee for guest, when we chat about trivial; Speaking of the room every brick stone, they have feelings. When curiously asked them, why hast forsaken do this? Their answer was natural: because he wanted to, because he like.