凱傑樂 x 台湾

(1469) Harmony in Contrast - Taiwan abroad final project - YouTube

Okay so I’m writing this a little late because packing nearly devoured me whole... but now that I’ve had a breath, I just want to say: the final day was honestly perfect in that fleeting, warm-sunset kind of way.

I started my morning with Kylie at this cute lil spot called Underwater Coffee. We ordered a ripe mango oolong and a momo oolong (momo like peach, not mochi), and also split an earl grey tea cheesecake because we’re fancy like that. I ordered for us in Chinese and it felt really nice to get a lil practice in before heading back. The vibes were immaculate. Very cozy. After that, we stopped by the Chia Te pineapple cake shop that Yeh Laoshi recommended and stocked up on some final sweets (plus souvenirs for my fumu). Then it was time to meet up with Peter and the rest of the group for lunch!

Lunch was so good but also a little seafood-heavy, which isn't necessarily my thing lol. Still, we wrapped it up with a delicious birthday cake for Ryan and that made the whole thing feel a little like a celebration.

Afterward, Da’moni, Justin, Kadence, and I wandered around Ximending for one last round of goofy shopping and chaotic impulse buys. I snagged a few final goodies that I definitely needed for survival (and by survival, I mean I need to justify the purchase of a second suitcase). We eventually made our way back to the hotel where I immediately face-planted into bed for an hour before dinner.

But the real star of the day? Our little night adventure to New Taipei Metropolitan Park 🌃 The park was... unreal. Trampolines built into the ground, giant slides, a bridge with skyline views, and people doing karaoke in the grass like it was the most normal thing in the world. We ran around like kids, screaming on the slides and laughing until our faces hurt. It was the kind of fun that makes you forget you're growing up. I'm glad we went late at night. It was quiet, a bit magical, like the world paused just for us. I felt really lucky to be there with Da’moni and Kadence, just being goofy and alive and still in Taiwan for one more night.

There are so many things I want to say, but honestly? I just feel full of memories, full of warmth, full of mango tea and moonlight and all the silly beautiful things that made today feel like the kind of goodbye that doesn’t quite say goodbye. I hope my goodbye to Taiwan is more of a zaijian than a farewell.

For my second independent excursion, I chose to visit the Tainan Art Museum, where I spent most of my time with the “Golden Years: Where Art Resounds” exhibit. It was a space that asked big questions. About time. About memory. About aging. It resonated deeply with me, not just because I’ve spent years drawing and painting, but because I’ve also spent years studying psychology and the brain. The exhibit's mission, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow,” was poetic, yes, but also deeply grounded in science which made it stand out to me.

This exhibit offered a rare bridge between artistic reflection and scientific truth. According to the World Health Organization, the global average life expectancy has risen dramatically from 46.5 in 1950 to over 73 today. We’re living longer, but the questions we ask about aging haven’t caught up. The exhibit asked not just how we age, but what it means to grow. That shift in framing mirrors current research in gerontology and neuroplasticity. More than ever, scientists are emphasizing how the brain continues to adapt and change, even in old age. Creativity, connection, and personal expression remain essential cognitive tools in healthy aging, particularly in dementia care.

As someone who once studied Alzheimer’s and memory loss through visual art, the exhibit felt like familiar territory, but expanded. In high school, my art portfolio became a language to explore how memory fades and reappears in flickers. A child half-remembered, a face fragmented by time. Seeing this theme again in a professional gallery setting, supported by research and curated thoughtfully, reminded me why I chose to study psychology in the first place. Art helps us visualize what science cannot always explain.

I kept thinking about Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. In his book, Gawande argues that the goal of aging and medicine itself shouldn't just be survival, but a meaningful life shaped by autonomy, dignity, and purpose. The exhibit echoed that philosophy. It didn’t treat aging as a problem to be solved or a decline to mourn, but as a chapter rich with introspection, creativity, and growth. Like Gawande, the curators seemed to ask: how do we want to spend our last years, not just how long can we live? The art on display was honest about the hardships, memory loss, physical frailty, etc but it also celebrated resilience, play, and the joy of being alive In a world that often avoids thinking about aging until it’s too late. Both the exhibit and Gawande’s work serve as powerful reminders: growing older shouldn't just be about surviving.

The museum emphasized growth as nonlinear and uniquely personal. It invited visitors of all ages to reflect on their own seasons of life, not just through facts but through feeling which is an approach deeply aligned with humanistic psychology. Although the book "Being Mortal" and my own art exploration were more promising than this exhibit, by making the process of aging visible, beautiful, and full of imagination, the museum contributed to an essential public dialogue that challenges ageism, affirms neurodiversity, and honors the creative spirit across the lifespan.

In the end, this visit wasn’t just a personal moment of nostalgia or artistic inspiration. It was a reminder that art and science are not separate paths, but parallel ones both striving to understand what it means to be human, especially as we change

After heading back to the hotel, I linked up with Kylie and Rebekka and we all went to The Village Spa for a 60-minute massage. I picked the meridian massage, which was definitely powerful and very knot-destroying, but soooo worth it. The atmosphere was giving Spirited Away bathhouse. We got cookies and tea afterward too which made me feel like royalty. 🍵🍪

Post-massage, Kylie and I broke off to hit up Raohe Night Market! We tried sooo many foods. I practiced my Mandarin and ordered a few dishes for us, and Kylie returned the favor by ordering dessert for me in Vietnamese! <3

Later on, I joined Da’moni and Kadence to hang out in the park and you would not believe what we saw. A man was walking two meerkats named Toto and Lala like they were little dogs. Wild but adorable. We ended up chatting for a few hours and when we got back, we all showered and then talked even more. My voice is probably gonna give out but my heart is full.

Reflection

Visiting the TSMC Museum helped me realize how something as invisible as a semiconductor chip has become one of the most powerful forces in shaping not just technology, but global politics and economics. TSMC is a core reason Taiwan has such a unique international standing. Their chips are in everything from iPhones to satellites, which gives Taiwan an unexpectedly big voice on the world stage despite its small size and complicated political status.

Today started off with a plot twist… I realized the pants I got from Ximending last night were actually cropped instead of the full length ones i requested T_T Soooo a return mission had to be added to the agenda lol

Kylie and I started our day by heading to Taipei 101! We wandered around the base of the tower before making our way to a super adorable Studio Ghibli store nearby. Everything inside was dreamy, like a little dollhouse filled with carefully placed treasures. I picked up a small gift for my parents (mom and dad, if you’re reading this, please watch Whisper of the Heart before I get home hehe). After that we walked to the Pokémon Center! I didn’t buy anything but it was super cute and I made sure to check the Pokémon Go stop while I was there 😌

Then it was time to head back to Ximending. We beelined to the clothing shop so I could exchange the pants (btw, Taiwan’s system of displaying items + having sealed stock in the back is interesting, I think that’s so smart and tidy). Mission success! 🫡

From there, Kylie brought us to a little shop with kind grandmas serving xiaolongbao. I had xiaolongbao, a pork bun, and some sour plum tea. Very hao chi. But Kylie’s true love is beef… so we kept going. Next stop: 門前隱味牛肉麵 西門漢口. It smelled sooo good but I was already full, so I just had some taro balls and white tea while Kylie went into full beef noodle mode. The noodles looked amazing and so fragrant- approved by the beef queen Kylie herself.

To wrap up our foodie adventure, we stopped by a boba place called Oolong Tea Project. I kept it simple and got a classic milk tea with boba. Kylie ordered in English but I stuck to Mandarin because I want to keep practicing! Later at an electronics store, Kylie needed a Euro adapter so I stepped up to ask in Mandarin. One employee immediately motioned to another guy and as soon as I said “请问” to him the guy started laughing because he was fluent in English and I had been passed onto the one person who didn’t need me to test out my abilities. I let Kylie take over but hey I tried!

Funny enough, there was a little Daoist shrine inside the tech shop. It was tucked away near the back. It makes sense with the Monga Dizang Temple nearby, the whole area smelled like incense. Very nice.

Now I’m chilling back in the room while Kylie naps and I catch up on some work. Can’t wait to see everyone at dinner later tonight! ♡(｡- ω -)

Last night… I didn’t really sleep lol. We had to be ready at 1:50 am to check out and start our trek to see the sunrise at Alishan. I couldn’t get comfy on the bus, so I pretty much just sat there in zombie mode for a few hours. When we finally arrived, brrr it was cold! Thank goodness for my hoodie 🥶

We took the forest railway while it was still dark out and honestly it felt like we were sleepwalking our way to the lookout point. Sadly the rain and fog decided to show up first, so we didn’t actually get to see the sun rise, but the mist and cool air made everything feel very fantastical. Sleepy magic ✨ I'm sure that normally the sunrise is beautiful.

On the way back down, we had to stand in the train, but since it was light out we got a gorgeous view of the mountains and I had a nice little convo with Justin. After that, we had some slightly overpriced breakfast. I got scallion pancakes and a few snacks. Then, even though our bodies were begging for sleep, it was time for a rainy  hike... and it wasn’t even 8 am yet lol (i’m not complaining! It was just very early!!)

But honestly? It was worth it. We saw ancient trees older than the U.S, wild monkeys chilling out, and misty paths that looked straight out of a RPG 🌲🌫️ It felt a little unreal.

We waited a bit for the train but ended up hiking more stairs to grab a shuttle back. Da’moni, Justin, Kadence, and I grabbed some 7/11 snacks before hopping back on the bus. At this point, I was officially wiped so I claimed two front seats and finally got a nap in 💤 40 minutes later I woke up still on a twisty mountain road like ?? How are we still up this high ?? Mountains are crazy.

We made a few stops along the way. I had convenience store fried chicken and a cream puff that was so good but also a disaster to eat. After another bus nap, we finally made it back to Taipei. And surprise!! Kylie (all the way from Vietnam!) was waiting for me 🥹 She dragged me to her room and we instantly started yapping like we were back at school. We headed out to Ximending to check out the Sanrio 7/11s, Animate, Pop Mart, and some clothing stalls. She got fried chicken, we unboxed our figurines like nerds, and called it a night 💕

✧ Reflection ✧

Alishan is more than just a tourist spot. It’s a space where nature and Indigenous culture meet the echoes of Taiwan’s historical past. The forest railway itself was built during the Japanese colonial era, originally used for logging Taiwan's rich cedar forests. While today it brings travelers and locals alike to see the famous "sea of clouds" and sunrise views, its roots are tied to industrial development and colonial resource extraction.

Walking through Alishan felt like entering a timeline of Taiwan’s layered identity. We passed trees that have stood for over two thousand years. Long before colonization or nation-states. It was humbling. The forest wasn’t just beautiful, it was living history. This place reminded me how nature in Taiwan is cultural memory, survival, and sacredness, especially for Indigenous communities like the Tsou people who have deep ancestral ties to this land.

Even though the sunrise didn’t show up, the journey still felt spiritual in its own way. Taiwan has been shaped by many hands- colonial powers, governments, communities- but in places like Alishan, you’re reminded that the land itself has always been here.

After picking up some warm buns. We were back on the bus and winding our way up to the mountains. Eventually we made it to our hotel in Alishan and oh my gosh the view is insane. The whole hotel is perched on a hill and you can see just small little buildings from way far out, it’s giving Studio Ghibli backdrop 🌫️🌲

Around 5 we headed out for dinner and got hotpot which hit so perfectly!! our table basically went feral on the ice cream afterwards LOL I lost count of how many bowls people had but no regrets were had 🍨💕

now we’re all mentally preparing to stay up since we leave the hotel at 2am for our sunrise hike… time to nap (but like the kind where you don’t actually sleep) and pray I don’t forget anything 😅🌄

Today was long but full of so many little bursts of magic ✨ our first stop was the Ten Drum Cultural Village, which used to be a sugar refinery but now it’s this super artsy drum-centered performance space. The show itself was absolutely electric with so much rhythm and energy!! the drumming, the gongs, the flutes. At one point I literally got chills. like full-body goosebumps. It was so cool getting to take a picture with the performers afterwards too… I always walk away from creative stuff like this wanting to make something, y'know?

After that, we had some free time to explore the park which is actually huge, like 7.5 hectares. The area used to be these old Japanese colonial warehouses, and now it’s been transformed into this dreamy mix of industrial history and creative playground. I wandered around with Da’moni and Justin, and we found a magic-library-style café that served potion-themed drinks!! it was giving RPG in the best way possible. I got a mermaid’s tears drink~ Justin and I climbed up the sky bridge (tall. very tall.), and we all even tried our hand at kids’ archery LOL. we wrapped things up with a mango smoothie that felt so good in the heat 🥭

Next up: a ferry ride through the Sicao Green Tunnel. Imagine mangroves forming this natural archway while you drift along under them. It made me feel kind of like I was in a dream… or maybe just my Florida childhood again. The water was this milky green, and we had to duck under branches the entire time haha. We saw birds, crabs, even a couple sleepy dogs hanging out near the bank.

After that we visited the Anping Tree House, which is an old salt warehouse that’s basically been eaten by banyan trees. Like the roots crawl up the walls and spill through the windows   it honestly feels more like the building grew out of the trees than the other way around. It's one of those places that makes you wonder what stories got stuck in the walls as you walk around and above this place that only remains as an echo of what it once was.

But the day wasn’t over just yet! We finished with a visit to Anping Old Fort, aka Fort Zeelandia. It was built by the Dutch in the 1600s, then reclaimed by Koxinga, and became a major symbol of resistance against colonial rule. Walking around the old fort walls felt kind of surreal   like I could feel the weight of the history in the bricks that struggled to stay on the wall. Taiwan’s past is so layered and complex.

After we finally made it back to the hotel, I grabbed ramen with Rebekka and Landon (yes…again), then stopped by the stationary store (again x2. or maybe x4). and now… I’m ending my last night in Tainan in true glamorous fashion: laundry 🌀

Tomorrow we move on, but I’ll miss this city with its art, its ghosts, and its mango smoothies.

✧ Reflection ✧

Today’s sites, especially Anping Fort and the Tree House were powerful reminders of how Taiwan’s landscape holds onto the memories of a long and often difficult history. Anping Fort in particular made me think about Taiwan’s experience with layered colonial occupation: from Dutch to Qing to Japanese to KMT control. Each regime left its imprint not just in laws or policies, but in the physical environment, buildings, borders, and even the languages used.

Places like the Ten Drum Cultural Village also highlight how Taiwanese identity doesn’t just survive that legacy, but transforms it. An abandoned Japanese-era sugar factory now celebrates indigenous percussion and creative innovation. That kind of repurposing feels like a form of cultural reclamation. It turns a space of industrial extraction into one of joy and expression. It’s subtle, but political in its own way.

Seeing how art, performance, and physical space interact with memory here has made me reflect on how culture can be both preservation and rebellion. Even banyan roots taking over a forgotten warehouse feel like a metaphor for Taiwan itself. Reclaiming its own identity.