Inheriting the City: Advancing Understandings of Urban Heritage
March 31 – April 4, 2016, Taipei, Taiwan
Above photo: Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan– The venue for the conference.
This conference brought 200 professionals together from 40 countries to present papers on a variety of urban heritage issues from adaptive reuse of urban heritage to approaches to conservation of Chinese language, the 5-day conference was as diverse as it was inspiring. See program here.
The conference presented an opportunity to get out from behind the computer and meet, face to face, the people who work at preserving culture, saving heritage, and sometimes remembering heritage lost.
Shaimaa Ashour, Egyptian architect, and I collaborated on the project, #City Walks: Another Perspective for Narrating the History of the City. Cairo, Egypt. The research covered the chronological growth of city walks from 1970-2016, tracing initiatives (individual and organizational) across ten criteria. The analysis of city walks as a cultural heritage activity in Cairo emphasized individual and community initiatives that defines many facets of Egyptian heritage. A paper follows this presentation.
Shaimaa, myself, and Professor Mike Robinson, University of Birmingham in front of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
Alone in Taipei for a Day
“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world” – Freya Stark
I have a day on my own in Taipei with no personal guide and no language skills; a dislike for public transportation (walking is quite acceptable) and a joy of discovery. I have a list: Buddhist temple. Paper Culture Museum. Traditional Tea House. Elephant Hill. Forget fumbling for directions on a smartphone. The receptionist at the hotel writes directions in Chinese on an old-fashion piece of paper.
Longshan Temple: I visited the night before with a study group so prepared with a little knowledge, I sat for an hour and observed, peacefully, the comings and goings and follow the lingering incense smoke connecting spirit to spirit.
SuHo Memorial Paper Culture Museum: Founded the Chang Chuen Cotton Paper Plant in 1940 by Chen SuHo and his wife, they were killed 50 years later in a plane crash. Their children opened this paper museum in their memory. Walking through the museum, one examines various paper’s made from a variety of bark and fibers. At the top floor crossing onto the roof of another building is a bamboo traditional house that carves out a quiet place in the midst of the city.
Back on street level, I could not resist the aroma of strong coffee wafting from an open doorway. Chat Coffee. Watching movement on the street and then spotted revolving parking plates: a car drives onto the plate and it turns 45 or 90 or 180 degrees to position the car for a parking space.
Not to be missed are a variety of man-hole covers that decorate the city sidewalks…
Wistaria Tea House located in a Japanese-style 1920 wooden house serves Taiwanese tea in traditional Chinese and Japanese tatami rooms. The service gracious and unassuming, lingering over fine tea and pineapple cakes is a grand way to spend a few thoughtful hours. Afterwards, an art exhibition raising money for a children’s violin group: The Light of Taiwan
Elephant Hill ( aka Nangang District Hiking Trail) rises quickly 400 meters above Taipei. Determination is all that is needed to climb the uneven stone steps to the top of the hill for great views of Taipei skyline and Taipei 101.
Back to the best little hotel in Taipei: Royal Biz Hotel, to greet the friendly staff, sleep on satin sheets in a sparkling clean room, enjoy an extraordinary breakfast located in the heart of the city.
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall during cherry blossoms season
More Reflections:
Conference Paper: City Walks: Another Perspective for Narrating the City
http://shaimaa-keephuntingphotos.blogspot.com.eg/2016/08/narrating-cairo-walks-exploring-taipei.html
The only thing I find wrong about this article is that I wasn’t there with you……..but then you would have to change the part about being alone in Taipei for a day. Loved this, Lesley.
Ha, ha!LOL. I thought of you so many times as I know how much you enjoyed China when you visited that country. You would have loved Taipei. Such a beautiful city. L.
What a new adventure and probably we discover new parts of ourselves by doing what you did – be alone for a day in a new city. Beautifully photographed and written, Lesley, thank you for taking me along with you into this enchantment. -Lynn
Thank you so much for your lovely thoughts. It is true, wandering alone does allow for self-discovery. L.
Once again you have taken me on an adventure to another land I have never seen in person, but that I can enjoy through your writings and pictures. Thank you for this wonderful gift.
Joyce
It is always a pleasure to hear from you. I hold our Apapa days close to my heart. L.
Hello! I really enjoyed reading your articles, you have an eye for small details and this is what I like the most 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience with me!
Thank you for reading the blog and your comment. L
Lesley, how terrific you got to attend. Enjoyed reading about your jaunt, but hope to hear about it in person this simmer. Paula and Michael
Paula and Michael, I am looking forward to seeing you this year as we missed our annual get together in 2015. I will call when arriving in the US. Thank you for your comment.L.
Leslie, So happy to see you putting up something about that conference. What are the chances of connecting in Feb 2017 in Cairo? Mary Lyn
Thanks, Mary. I sent you an email to answer your question. L.
Loneliness in a lonely place is a sort of experience. I wish I can fly to China, and explore the mystery of Chinese culture. It is always fun to meet new faces and cultures. I wish you a successful presentation. I hope you will use this opportunity to visit the ‘Great Wall’. Part of the beauty of travel is to experience different sights, tastes, and sounds Ogbe (2001). Listen to the various tunes of Chinese melodic flute, Lesley.
Hi Murtala, Thank you for your well wishes. We went to the conference last year in Taipei. This year we are giving the final paper at an NGO here in Cairo as the end to our project/paper. Shaimaa and I have had a wonderful time working together. One day I pray you will travel to China to accomplish your goal.
I am so appreciative of your comments. Lesley