[♥Taiwan] Military Dependants’ Village

     Am I being too patriotic or showing any political pan-green or pan-blue stand if I categorise this travelling review in Taiwan as [♥Taiwan]? I was afraid that certain people will judge me or use a strict point of view to challenge me, but then I thought: Taiwan is such a great country and all man love Formosa! So “♥Taiwan” is just the best category that comes to my mind, and I decided to keep this idea unless there is a better one.

     Recently people are talking fervently about the Military-dependant's village which has become more obvious after the series “Time Story” was broadcasted in 2008. Everyone is talking about the fashion, the life style, and the food of the military-dependant’s village. It’s like an infection or a fever that no one can get away with it. So after 3 years, here I present a blog reviewing Military Dependants’ Village

44 South Village

     It’s the first military-dependant’s village in Taipei City and it has been reconstructed to Xinyi Public Assembly Hall & Cultural Park by the government. The whole military-dependant’s village includes the exhibition hall, the performance stadium, the community hall, the plaza, and the park. The cultural park was rebuilt from the air-raid shelters; however you only see several green hills which are like anything but the air-raid shelters. 44 South Village is located in the most expensive area, XinYi District. The famous Taipei 101, World Trade Centre, TICC, and the grand and luxury apartments of A-Mei are all in the neighbourhood. It completely showcases a strong collision just like the photo below:

     I was focusing more on the bagel store in 44 South Village rather than the village itself, so here I will also put more focus on introducing this restaurant named Good Cho's. 

     Good Cho's lies in the centre of 44 South Village which as mentioned earlier is a restaurant selling bagels. On entering the gate, it's like a platform for those emerging designers or cultural/creative ordinary people to exhibit their works. As I recall, a girl attending the same high school as I did (SSSH) had a photography exhibition on the day I went to Good Cho's. The next "barrier" before reaching to the restaurant is a shop that sells various design works and some products featuring Taiwan. To be honest, the way how they display and the overall layout attract me as a compulsive consumer. Finally, it's the restaurant! Good Cho's is not like NY Bagels even though they feature "Bagels." Why is that and what's the difference you might ask. Good Cho's combines the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and last but not least, the main ingredients for the flavour, whether it is sesame, chocolate, and even the goose oil with the Sanhsin scallions. It's probably the most special and also pretty local flavour! *Sanhsin scallion is originated in Yi-Lan, a city in the North-East of Taiwan. Good Cho's also sells something like Auntie Annes's Pretzel Dog whether its look or even the taste is quite similar to it. I like Auntie Annes Pretzel Dog better though, for it's juicier, and the dough is absolutely softer and more chewy! Yummmmmmm! I won't say that Good Cho is highly recommended because I think some food there is overpriced which in fact can be found way cheaper elsewhere. However, the neighbourhood is worth visiting because the constructions have some retro features that will make people can't help but leave a lot of snapshots there! 

Rainbow Military Dependants’ Village
     It is located in Taichung City near the Ling Tung University. It was almost torn down before, yet people started the petition by writing to the Mayor of Taichung City and as a result an overwhelming amount of mails packed Mayor Hu's mail box. In the end, the "Saving Rainbow Military Dependants' Village" action works! This military Dependants' Village is famous for Grandpa Rainbow's paintings. Grandpa Rainbow, Huang Yong-Fu (黃永阜), out of nowhere started to paint the wall of his house on a random day. His neighbours found it cute and interesting that they all asked Grandpa Rainbow to paint for their house. From one house to a whole village, from the floor to the wall of the entire village, it's the masterpiece of Grandpa Rainbow, Huang Yong-Fu (黃永阜). 

     Let's be bitchy here, or be more critical here. Grandpa Rainbow's painting would probably get a 74 out of 100, or just a B- if it were a school assignment in the art course. But when I witnessed his paintings covering the Rainbow Military Dependants' Village, I was stunned, amazed, and intrigued. It's so eye-catching because of the variety and the saturation of the colours and the figures in his painting made me think of Matryoshka (a.k.a: the Russian Dolls). 

     There were many travellers visiting Rainbow Military Dependants' Village, especially on weekends. So watch out people! Here are some golden rules when you visit there or any other tourist spots: Squeeze Yourself, Excuse Yourself, and 1, 2, 3 Say Cheese!

     Grandpa Rainbow also integrated some wishes and auspicious words into his paintings, and people are like charmed when they take pictures with them. My friends and I also took pictures in front of the walls having Take Good Care, Be Healthy, Make Big Money, etc. as if we would be blessed or become a millionaire the day after. 

    
     You will find Grandpa Rainbow painting on the spot, and visitors can get his autographed painting and take picture with him if they buy beverages. As understood, the earnings are used for purchasing pen brushes and paints.

     I like Rainbow Military Dependants' Village more because I am an exaggerated, overreacted, and what not person that such colourful village is like a work of art to me. What's more, I saw Grandpa Rainbow in flesh!! See, celebrity endorsement here :) I am gonna visit Treasure Hill, another military dependants' village in Taiwan. I am looking forward to sharing my experience with you then!

*欲詳讀中文版請點：

[愛台灣] 四四南村 v.s 彩虹眷村