Last year, I shared a brief post about this remarkable place. As I am currently in Taiwan attending to my mother’s affairs, I will be adding more photographs from that trip.
The descendant of this esteemed family home continues to play a significant role in the island’s political sphere. In light of this, I shall refrain from commenting on the political landscape of what is often regarded as a renegade province of China.
What captivates me most are the intricate Chinese ornaments and sculptures. In my youth, I failed to appreciate such cultural heritage, instead dreaming of traveling to New York or exploring Norway’s towering mountains. Yet, as the years have passed, I have developed a profound appreciation for the traditions and artistry inherent to my own ethnic background. It is curious how life unfolds.
Even during this visit, I found myself deeply drawn to the beauty of abandonment in urban exploration.
Sony A7RV
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Linking Treasure Tuesday
During our visit to my mother's hometown, Zhongli, there were numerous matters to attend to. We reunited with our cousins and learned the sorrowful news that our nephew had recently taken his own life at the age of 35. Amidst the solemn atmosphere, my brother happened upon an old eatery specialising in Hakka cuisine, where we shared a delightful meal.
Among the traditional dishes, I shared a photograph of stir-fried pig intestines prepared with ginger, white vinegar, and fermented soybeans. Joel, as always, reacted with exaggerated discomfort, dry heaving at the mere sight of the dish when I sent it to his phone. Undeterred, I shall now present it here for all to appreciate.
Gluten ball soup with spring onion and shallows (chicken bone stock)
It is nice to see those photos. I did look at the enlarged versions.
ReplyDeleteThe click brings out another dimension
DeleteSo sorry to read about your nephew ...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing your photographs.
All the best Jan
Photography is my therapy
DeleteI am so very sorry to learn of your cousin's passing. At times such as these the company of our families can be very comforting. I am glad you were able to get home. I also hope your mother is feeling much better after her fall.
ReplyDeleteI won't mention the political nature of things either, we certainly have enough of our own as you probably know, and sometimes I make my political leanings known. Today I'll just say I'm on the side of humanity and leave it at that.
A wonderful series of photos, such a magnificent building. The meals look wonderful! A little different to western meals I know but as my wise daughter-in-law said to me when she was trying something different, meat is meat! In my growing up years in the UK some of the foods we had on our family menu might seem strange also, as everything was eaten. It was just the way of things.
You have a such open-minded view! So glad to hear that
DeletePresiona casa y jardín.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are excellent and full of beauty. There is an age when we want to explore different and opposite cultures, but sooner or later we end up discovering and appreciating our culture.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is better not to know what you are eating, but to try it first....
Back to the grass roots
DeleteI am so very sorry about your nephew. He was so young. This place is remarkable with the beautiful carvings and artwork.I have never seen any place like this. What a shame that it is abandoned. I especially love the blue door.
ReplyDeleteI love these ornaments and carvings
DeleteThese gardens and buildings have an Imperial look to them, much like the Forbidden City in Beijing. Good you were able to reconnect with family.
ReplyDeleteThe building is indeed a delight
DeleteBonitos detalles y muy curiosos.
ReplyDeleteSaludos.
Thank you Jesus
DeleteAmazing art and delicious food!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos all round. Sorry about your nephew.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place, and like you, and I guess many others, there were many things surrounding us in our young years that we failed to appreciate. I am not sure I would enjoy the food, especially if I knew what it was.
ReplyDeleteWe only treasure what is lost later on
DeleteAnazing work.
ReplyDeleteThe intricate sculptures and ornaments are most beautiful when they are newest. I would not like to be charged with regular cleaning and repainting.
ReplyDeleteNo one can afford that not even the King of England
DeleteI'm old enough to remember the many ups and downs in the early 50's. I even remember when it was called ... oh yes, Formosa. The uncertainty caused by the Orange Clown's actions can't be helping what has always been a tense situation. S
ReplyDeleteHence I was already out of the island
DeleteHow wonderful what you show. I would really like to take a look. That's not possible, but I really enjoy these photos
ReplyDeleteWhen I was about twenty-five, I really wanted to leave Zeeland (which is a Dutch province). And so I did . I saw the beauty of the province, but I didn't think it was that important. I wanted other things like theater, museums, art. I'm happy here, but sometimes I think...why?
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic details and pano's off that old buildings. Hope you and your family are now in calmer waters after all the misery.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your nephew. I do wonder why people reach that point that they take their own life, so sad.
ReplyDeleteI'll pass on the pig intestines. Yikes! I am a vegetarian anyway haha.
These are great photos :-D
...thanks for shring this amazing treasure, I'd love to see it in person.
ReplyDeleteDe estar tan acostumbrado ver esa obras de arte no la apreciabas en ese tiempo. Ahora ya adulto, la ves distinta manera y nunca es tarde, para apreciar su arte.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Lamento lo de tu familiar yo conozco casos similares y por mas que intento comprender el porque de estos comportamientos no llego a entender, entre otras cosas por que no nos podemos meter en la mente de los demás.
ReplyDeleteEsa casa y jardín de esa familia se ve de gran belleza. En nuestra adolescencia y juventud no apreciamos las cosas cercanas como lo hacemos cuando vamos entrando en años.
Esos platos tradicionales se ven deliciosos, claro hay que estar acostumbrados a ese tipo de preparación.
Aquí en España en la matanza tradicional las tripas del intestino grueso se las rellenaba de arroz, cebolla, manteca del cerdo, especias al gusto y sangre que cocidas son unos embutidos conocidos como morcillas. El intestino delgado tenia dos tipos de relleno diferente un embutido conocido como chorizo; uno con carne magra y tocino junto pimentón con otras especias y dos con vísceras "pulmón, corazón, estomago, hígado" junto algo de carne y especias. Los ingredientes que se metían en la tripa previamente se picaban. El segundo tipo de chorizo se usaba mas bien en guisos, el primero se puede comer en tierno frito o de otras maneras y ya seco incluso crudo.
Saludos.
Such a beautiful home they have.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful photo
ReplyDeleteMe encanta el arte oriental. Besos.
ReplyDelete