Shilin Market

Ambassador Basilio told us earlier to visit the ShiLin night market. He said we haven’t been to Taipei if we haven’t seen any of the night markets.

I asked my colleagues if they wanted to go to the night market, only Raymond Garcia was interested and RP Manhit. Tonyboy invited them for a re-cap at the hotel’s coffee shop, so patay na, wala na akong kasama to the night market. I actually didn’t expect that these guys would be curious to visit shilin.

I went up to my room and changed my clothes. I was bundat na bundat from all the food kaya going to the night market would help me walk-off some of the calories. I saw the guys sipping coffee and yun na nga, ayaw na nila lumabas. So bahala na, I can take a cab. It’s a lot safer to take cabs and explore the streets of Taipei than in Manila, sad to say, so I am not at all worried.

When I reached the lobby, I saw some Filipinos. I don’t know them and they don’t know me but I was so kapal-muks, I asked them “Hi, where are you going?” They said, ShiLin (wow, teng teng teng, perfect I have kasama na)
I was super kapal talaga, humirit pa ako “May I go with you?”
Bong bong bong, wrong question because they did not answer. Meaning….. hindi pwede.
Humirit pa ako (kapal ko talaga)…. “Saan kayo sasakay? May I ride with you?”
BONG BONG BONG AGAIN…. THIS TIME I got the hint
Me….. It’s okay, I can take a cab.

I turned to ask the concierge for taxi direction, then Sec. Domingo appeared “O Annie, sama ka sa amin, pupunta kami sa night market”. Long story short, I got so lucky. I had companions and a free ride.

Next…. Wala akong NT dollars.
Secretary Domingo said that wouldn’t be a problem, pwede akong umutang.
Our DTI officer who’s been assigned in Taipei since four months ago helped me exchange US$100, I got NT$300 in return.

The place is very interesting. Maraming mga games-games parang may fiesta.

Parang pag may fiesta, ganito nung bata pa ako, yung palaro sa plaza. Ang daya naman nitong mama, halos maabot na nya yung shoo-shoot-an

This little kids must be asleep by now

The fruits were so sweet, ang sarap ng free tastes.
I told Sec. Domingo yung suot nya hindi pang tiangge.

they’re making what looked like sesame with sugar, or pinipig, ewan, pero ang bango. I did not taste it kahit libre tikim.

Oh, I’m wrong, hindi pala pinipig kundi peanut candy

Body massage thru flagellation. Bagay ito pag gusto mong magsisi sa mga kasalanan mo, Hahampas-hampasin ka nung bamboo walis.

The crowd is very young, kasi tulog na daw yung mga matatanda sa ganitong oras. The market opens at around 7 pm and closes at 2 am.

Inihaw na mais

They call it CARBON Barbeque, siguro kasi inihaw, yung coal nagiging carbon.. ganun ba yun?

Where are your parents? It’s way past your bedtime.

We all admired this lady’s innovativeness and imagination. She placed the pins on the umbrella which made it easier for prospective buyers to choose. She could easily fold the umbrella when the night is done. Very handy store indeed.

My parents liked champoy. I hated the smell and the taste.

Mangoes? bakit kaya orange

Chinese pancakes

I bought 3 big atis for NT150 each. Ben helped me bargain from the original price of NT200.

This is our DTI officer in Taipei, he was so helpful. although he has only been assigned here for 4 months, he has picked up the language. He could bargain and ask for sukli. He bought one piece of this huge sausage which we all tasted. Masarap sya ha, very tasty. I couldn’t eat more than a bite kasi I was bloated talaga.