Taiwan

Engagement in Miaoli, Western Taiwan: What it takes...

Engagement... What's the difference with actual marriage by the way? It turned out that I recently visited one, and I will give you chance to see it also - by means of pictures and video - thank you - youtube! Most interesting is a fact that if I wouldn't knew before, that it's engagement, then I would be absolutely sure, that it is marriage

For those of us, who comes from countries where engagement hardly goes beyond "please marry me words, in candlelight dinner, preferably in Hawaii", I am giving Wikipedia's opinion on it:

An engagement is a promise to marriage, and also the period of time between proposal and marriage – which may be lengthy or trivial. During this period, a couple is said to be affianced, betrothed, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Future brides and bridegrooms are often referred to as fiancées (brides) or fiancés (grooms).

Now, I want to show how this promise is celebrated in Taiwan, particularly in Miaoli. Before we go on, I want to tell also, that before I had also visited actual wedding as well, and also in Miaoli. Let me tell you that in principal no difference, however, there is one - and a principal one. Those 2 ceremonies are totally same - a lot of tables for dinner, bride & groom walks from table to table, and of course (my god my ears), everyone things he CAN SING - Karaoke, or KTV, and - depending on culture level of particular family a little dressed girl singing and dancing - more you will move to South of Taiwan, more will have those. In the wedding i was before, there was such a girl, here in engagement - no. 

And one more important thing - in engagement, all friends and family (except most close ones, who are from both) from brides side are invited, and in wedding - all friends and family from groom's side are invited. here answer to question why ceremony is almost same lays also - because we want to eat & drink and we (do not want) to listen KTV performed by brides sister's in law father's uncle. Especially if they try to perform Hotel California. 

Enough words, let video and pictures speak louder than text!

Who is who introduction. Parents and closet relatives of bride and groom.

Now, check this video how many people are invited. It was just at the beginning only, when i just arrived in Taiwan, when in much smaller family gatherings i was always asking my wife or someone else - who is that man, or who is this woman - in 99 % cases, answer was - No idea. (remember - it's FAMILY gatherings). However now, I still can not stop wondering about another Taiwan Flavor - it is very common at such gatherings to sit at the SAME TABLE with someone, who you ask - who is this, and still get answer "no idea". I am adapting, but still did not adapted fully though.

If you do not know 90 % of people around, of course this man below is the one awaited most I guess. He brings dishes..

Asparagus - well, let's keep a hope that more to follow.

Sushi (Japan, your GDP down in 1Q 15.2 %, but at least you are evergreen in sushi dish) and some meat.

Brrr, from those i am scared. Seafoodophobia - i would call it like this. Crabophobia particularly.

This soup was ok...

More sea food.

In western weddings most pathetic moment are Mendelssohn March, when bride comes out, or both comes depending on country? Well, the key is that it is pathetic, and they come only once. Taiwan is a country who says, why not repeat it? Such "walk-outs" as you can see in above video were at least 3 in this engagement.

A kind of rap...

You must accept that your "uncle-in-law" will be singing at your wedding if you want to have one in Taiwan. Just read this again - you must to.

At one moment couple will come to your distant table as well. Be sure to be present at that time, it happens only once.

Jiouhua Mountain Monastery and Temple in Tongluo, Miaoli county, Western Taiwan

If you happen to be driving from Tongluo (銅鑼) - small rural township in Miaoli county in Western Taiwan to Sanyi township, a place worth to visit is Jiouhua Mountain Monastery and Temple - place that reveals a real heart of contemporary Taiwanese religion and gives you insight in a spirit of Western Taiwan. You will not find this place in tourist guides, while everyone who lives on western taiwan knows this place. Students come here to pray before exams, some people come here several times per year to pray - and - eat "good" noodles. What's "good" noodles? Stay with me, you will see. Now, we did not arrived yet, there is a place to visit before.

Don't miss the turn, it shows just a turn to Jiouhua mountain:

 

Soon, after you turn right following this road:

...you'll stumble upon interesting place. I would call it tea shop, but it's something really unexpected here.



and the nearby shop, where you can find a snacks and nuts (at least at the moment, we were here - may, 2009).



At this moment, the tea shop seemed to be closed, but i was so interested about it, that one of older woman went out and then after a moment a woman - owner appeared in a door, and opened tea shop just for us. She told, that they are usually open in november only, when Chrysanthemum full blooms - in fact that's what Miaoli and Tongluo is proud of - Chrysanthemums, and their blossoms. Owner told us that it is worth for them to be open just at this time of year. Nevertheless she is so warm and welcome to us! After short chat, we decide to try Chrysanthemum flower tea, coffee and what else she can make for us. I took a walk in garden while snacks where preparing:





In november, when Chrysanthemum blooms, they also offer bicycles for rent.







Here's what we've got. Chrysanthemum flower tea, coffee and really tasty honey cake - seems warmth of welcoming hosts are transforming in their snacks also.



Aroma & taste is very special - you need to try it, it can not be described and photo can not pass aromas...

For the temple itself - in fact the tea shop already made my mood good for all the day, it turned out as a very big place, surrounded with a supplementary small business - there a lineups with noodles sellers before the temple you buy it, and then give away, and then they cook it and you eat for free. That's the idea.



When you approach the temple, monks chants are heard already from a distance, and here is what opens to your eyes once you arrive:



Singers are two monks in black, standing with faces to temple:







I noticed that here prayers were older man and woman, while "good" noodles - those were eating everyone - small and not so.

According tradition, you need eat those noodles and luck will be with you - those are good noodles.

Let's try, here you see the serving room, a really big place:

Of course signs of "no photo" are everywhere, but I still wanted share this to world - so, I did it for YOU:





Serving "good" noodles for everyone...



Choose your seat...



... and enjoy your meal - especially recommended before important university exams!