BRIDGE BETWEEN CULTURES

Having spent approximately two weeks in Taiwan, it has been relatively easy for me to live like locals in the capital city of Taipei. Because I am fluent in Mandarin Chinese, I can communicate easily with locals and get around the city easily with the aid of my local family members. The only problem I often encounter is with reading Chinese. Although my grandfather (former teacher) has taught me to read and write Chinese up to the second grade level, I still struggle to read Chinese since I have become so accustomed to the English language for sixteen years. As expected, every restaurant and store in Taiwan utilizes traditional Chinese text, which is a bit of an issue for us "ABC's" (American-Born-Chinese). For example, I was at a famous Japanese buffet the other day, Shin Yeh. Since I couldn't read the labels on the Japanese style foods, I picked up a tempura (fried veggies) pineapple, thinking it was potato. The salty breading with the sweet/sour pineapple had a strange effect on my taste buds. I also had to consult my mom when ordering sashimi (I love raw fish) and even ice cream.

(sorry for the fuzzy pic, I forgot to take a picture of the restaurant exterior until we were driving away)

Here are some mouthwatering snaps from that day's feast:

Dobin Mushi (Soup Served in a Teapot), Dobin Mushi (Soup in a Teapot), Vegetables Inside Gelatin (not sure what the actual name of the dish is), Grapefruit Juice

Cha Soba (Green Noodles with Seaweed and Soy Sauce Soup), Edamame, Assorted Fruits

Matcha (Green Tea) Red Bean Ice Cream, Assorted Fruits

The world is made up of a wide variety of unique cultures and cuisines. Food is a bridge between these diverse cultures, often bringing people of different tastes together. Shin Yeh, a Japanese restaurant in Taiwan, is a perfect example of the overlapping of Asian cultures, where traditionally Japanese cuisines are adapted to fit Taiwanese tastes.

Language and communication is another major bridge between cultures. In America, English is the dominant language that brings together individuals of various different cultural backgrounds. When I first entered the public education system, my peers often stereotyped and outcasted me because they did not think that I knew how to speak English. They were obviously incorrect. Due to those unpleasant experiences, I became rather quiet in elementary school. However, I became much more verbal in middle school because I thought that the way to fit in was to act like I belonged and to speak like my peers. In high school, I finally realized that I didn't need to fit in and that my Asian-American cultural background and bilingual skills make me different, but unique from my peers.

The English language brings me closer to my friends and family in the United States, while the Chinese language brings me closer to my traditionally Taiwanese family and allows me to communicate easily with locals in Taiwan. Without language and verbal communication, many inquiries remain unanswered and stereotypes can easily develop. Through language and communication, people can better understand and appreciate the cultural backgrounds of others. Ultimately, food and language are essential structures that beautifully bridge the gap between different cultures.