Some interesting shop I found in Clermont-Ferrand!

Miss Boll, an chest platform artist. Her shop is behind the black cathedral.  She collects old chest platform and chest and repaint it. The price of her creations is not higher than my imagination. A beautiful moody box is around 15-25 euros. I really want to buy one! But I can't bring too many stuffs when travelling. pity... Miss Boll is talkative. She answers every question. If your french is not good, don't worry! She can speak English  :)

Bubble Break, a bubble tea shop which surprises me at first sight. Bubble tea is from Taiwan. Seeing this, not just Asus, Acer these technology product makes me feel more like home. I' m happy to see that it has many customers. I waited aside and took this picture with less customers. The bubble tea tastes great! But I still miss the tea shops in Taiwan.  In Taiwan, we can adjust the ice, the sweetness as you like. I don't like too sweet drinks. But the one, Mocha bubble tea, I ordered there is really good! Not too sweet, not too hot. If you never drink this, go try it! You'll love it or get a different experience toward drinks! You won't lose anything.

Ps. Bubble tea is milk tea with tapioca balls, original one is like this. If you think tapioca balls are strange to chew with tea, there are many good tea from Taiwan. Take a look of eco-cha. Even Google office can find Taiwanese tea :) The tea is from small tea farmers in Taiwan. It's handmade. With less hard to environment and wonderful taste, how can you miss it?
Recently, I heard some good news about the wines made in Taiwan. They win some international prize, red wine winning the International Wine Challenge etc. Why I'm abroad now... one is Kavalan Whisky, the other is red wine.This red wine doesn't have enough amount to sell now. Now, we only can book it and wait. I only find the Chinese information and the English news. So, sorry. When I go to Taiwan, I will tell you the taste. haha It takes time but I'll definitely get one!

Eco-Cha: http://eco-cha.com/#
Kavalan Whisky: http://www.kavalanwhisky.com/en/
2015 wines of the world: http://www.digitalnewsroom.co.uk/iwc/2015-wines-of-the-world/

Depot-vente. If you see this word showing in the shop and want to find new owners for your clothes, give it a try in that shop. It's a second-hand clothes shop with nice look shop appearance. You can put your clothes there and wait for its new owners. After some days, go back to the shop and get the money and the clothes which don't sell out.

Buibui is my favorite Asian shop in Clermont-ferrand. It's clean and organised. You can find the products from Taiwan, Korea, Japan and south-east Asia. In Taiwan, we eat Nougats, too. Frankly, I always think nougats are traditional snack in Taiwan. But  I also see them a lot in France... My another different culture shock. The Taiwanese  nougats selling in Buibui is not the best but acceptable. The most common nougats flavor is with peanuts. In France, it's almond.

Weilih Zhahiangmien in Taiwan look like this
You can have noodles and a soup by this
維力, weilih, is the brand's name

instant snake noodles
 with the sympol cartoon girl face

Weilih Zhahiangmian is my favorite instant noodles. If you want to try something new, give it a try. Normally, when we don't have time to cook and we don't want to eat out, we eat instant noodles. In my family, we also add other food in instant noodles such as vegetable, eggs and some meats. haha we're picky toward what we eat. It can't be just noodles with flavors. When we eat Weilih instant noodles, the Zhahiangmian one, we add slice of cucumber and fried egg. You can find Zhahiangmien in Japan and Korea,too. There are differences between us. The taiwanese and japanese flavor is alike according the information I find on the internet. The korean one has different accompanied food. There, you can also find one snack we like, the instant snack noodles, the one with cute cartoon girl face on. It inspires from instant noodles. But it's like salty cookies. It's crisp. Don't add hot water in it. Just eat them like cookies.

I found a video about Taiwanese snack on youtube. It's interesting and real. Make me want to go back to Taiwan and get all.  Take a look!

Walk around in Clermont-fd. And find many interesting things. Maybe it's life.

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Flickr photo album: Iron Blue

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Hey! Puy de Dome!

Hello! Puy de Dome! People tells me I must go Puy de Dome since I stay in Clermont-fd. So, in my last week in Clermont-fd, I went to the tourist center and asked for more information. It's really easy to get there by bus! In my last day in Clermont-fd, I went there. When I arrived in bus stop, there were already 3 persons. There, I knew M, an Iran artist.

Honestly, I know it isn't cool, I've some fear toward Islamic country because of the stereotype about female right. Female needs to wear burka or  people may think her easy and female tends to be conventional. But M breaks my negative stereotype. She doesn't wear burka. We talked a lot from when climbing up the hill. In Iran, boys and girls are in different class except university. In Taiwan, boys and girls are in same class. And I saw some M's creations, saw her taking photos, filming the video. She also likes film camera! When I travel alone, I'm seldom alone. Nice to share a piece of life with travelers passing by.

Puy de Dome is famous for the volcano geography. When we climbed up, it was just like climbing up a ' normal' hill. We were around beautiful plants and heard the birds singing.  On the top of the hill, we saw the volcano geography covered by green plants. It's beautiful! In Taiwan, there are volcano geography. I only saw few of them. pity..... Puy de dome is also a good place to try parachute. But I only sat on the grass and saw people doing that. One day, I'll try it!  In the afternoon, it rained and even hailed. I was glad that I brought an umbrella with me. I saw the passerby's ' it hurts!' face. I started to feel how lucky I was that I lived in a raining-a-lot-in-winter city for 4 years and have habit to bring umbrella with me.

Is hailing normal in France?

In the end, share the video of the birds singing after raining. Good days!

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Hi! Arles and Avignon!

The motivation to go to Avignon was for visiting a friend. Honestly, I didn't care what I can see in Avignon. When I walked out the train station and saw the wall around Avignon, the first thought coming out my mind is that Avignon is yellow, Clermont-fd is black if every city has a symbolic color. The wall around Avignon is yellow. The old buildings such as cathedral in Clermont-fd are black.

Walked on the road in front of train station and  found the Palais de Pape. The building is really gorgeous. But I didn't see many stuffs.Nothing showed in the treasure room but big space. It was cold inside the house.  Nevertheless, the instrument for the popes is quite in detail. The reduced ticket price is  9 euros. Full price is about 11 euros.

Then I went to the Pont d'Avignon. It was raining when I came there. Anyway, seeing a group of students dancing on bridge was good, too. Their happiness made me feel the rain was nothing for trip. The bridge is simple. But the story for the bridge is good. The bridge is built by Saint Bénezet for helping the residents.

Seeing old friends in Avignon. Sharing life in France with her. Knowing new friends. Breaking the Taiwanese stereotype again. I've met some people thinking I'm like an European,  people from USA etc. Well... I've about 23 years experience to be a Taiwanese. I don't need people to tell me what is a Taiwanese truly and I don't have strength to force myself to fit the stereotype. I once met a boy who has a thought that Taiwanese girls are easy. Well... easy people finds each other easily. They take advantage of each other. Why only women get the negative feedback?

Arles, another comfortable village in France. There are roman heritages such as arena. I've seen Arena in Nimes. Therefore, I only went to thermal, found each room has different temperature and the way of heating the room is out of my imagination, using the think wall and air to heat the water. It's interesting! In Arles, there is a kind of kid dress. I almost bought this dress for my future niece when seeing it! It was so cute!  I'm pretty sure that I would spend much money if I've niece. Luckily, in 3 years, I won't have any niece. right? my sister haha

I went to the market, saw something to eat, something to wear. In Taiwan, there is night market. I felt the market between in Taiwan and in France is similar. The most difference is the time. One is in day time. The other is at night. Of cause, the content would be different. Generally, it'a always about something to eat, something to wear, something for life. I saw someone selling snake wine. It was claimed good for diabetics. well... I've seen this kind of things once in Taiwan when I was little. Now, I grew up. Still feel it weird.

There, I met a retired nurse from Marseille, living in retired house. We talked about life, her sons, etc. Out of curiosity, I asked her using soap of Marseille or not. And she said the soap of Marseille is for tourists. Those soaps even produce in other place. We share a sweet bread together. This type of bread is commoner in Taiwan. Bread is not staple food in Taiwan. So, the most bread in Taiwan is more like a desert, not like baguette this type of bread. And cheese is not so important in Taiwan like in France. But there are a lot of carrefour, amart, 24hrs convenient stores in Taiwan. It's easy to buy cheese. As for quality, I don't know. I'm not professional about cheese. But carrefour is french company. So, I've seen some french brand there.

Nice to meet you my future friends!

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make sure I'm not a romantic person in Venice and Bologna...

Venice

中文版網誌: 歐啦啦日誌

Blog en Français: Coucou Je suis ici

When going to Venice from Florence, Florence starts to snow slightly. The snow reminds me that the ancient  people describes snowing is like cotton flying with wind. This is my first time for understanding the reasons of this description. This is also my first time to see the snow. Taiwan is a tropical country. There is only snow in high mountains in wet winter.

Qijin, Kaohsiung
http://khh.travel/en/default1.asp

When we think Venice, the first adjective coming up our mind would be ' romantic'.  When I arrive this city, the first adjective coming up my mind is ' cool' . Because the main transportation is boat ! No matter it's bus, taxi or garbage car etc. When I'm taking the boat bus, I figure out that I had experience of taking a boat bus in Qijin, Kaohsiung. But the 2 cities are completely different. Kaohsiung is in south Taiwan which means it's really really warm! It's a good city for cycling, eating seafood, shaved ice etc.

Venice 

Venice is a wonderful place to observe the building, street view etc.  The scenery is beautiful. When you walk in the city, you would feel like walking in the 16th century. umm... ... I don't image myself as a ...... maybe loyal walking in Venice... ... I think the food, the cycling in Kaohsiung... ... As my friends always say, I don't have any romantic cells in my brain. Though I study in a romantic department. lol Anyway, I enjoy taking Venice's photo, seeing the passengers on the streets, taking a look for accessory in Venice. When it come to the night, the sky with this city is really gorgeous!

Fireworks in Venice

I also spend my first day here in 2015. The fireworks is good. But my first day comes without counting down. This makes me and my friends feel wired. I'm happy to be accompanied with friends like them.  They are vigorous and caring. When we buy lunch, Au see the Taipei 101 firework showing on TV and tell me. :)  He knows Taipei 101 because it was the highest building in the world. After seeing the firework, I find the clip of Taipei 101 fireworks to show him because we talk about Taipei 101 while waiting for the firework.



I start this year without awareness but with happiness. Can everyday in 2015 be happy days without awareness, too?

*The expense in Venice is higher than other cities in Italy. The food price is different for taking out or eating inside the store.


After Venice, I ahead to Bologna. Here, I know An. We look Bologna , talk in French even though our French is not perfect, go to bar, I  learn a nice game from him. I also try the tortelli and fall in love with this! At first, I try this because I never see food like this. I even don't know what it is. I send the tortelli photo to Al, an italian friend. And she tells me what it is and she also love it! She says it's a specialty of Bologna. I'm so lucky! I also send the photo to Au, He knows how to make it! What a popular food!

At the end, I want to give my bless to my family, my friends, future friends, the most important ' YOU' with the Taipei 101 fireworks.

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I love Rome? or I love the travelers here?

I like every morning waking up in Rome. I enjoy taking a few walk, get in a café and get a delicious bread as my breakfast. And walking randomly and finding myself just near some historical sites. In the afternoon, I like hanging out with people I met in downtown hostel, eating delicious ice cream together or seeing the beautiful Rome at night together. Life is simple and amazing. Do we really know each other  for 1 or 2 days?

I can't forget the afternoon I help make mexican food. E talks to P, Mexican, in  spanish and interpret what they talk. I don't feel awkward even though I can't understand spanish. Is people who speak spanish all like them, friendly and vigorous? The mexican food I learn isn't spicy at all. This breaks my stereotype.

I still remember the Canadian, C, who has the world map tattoo in  wrist. When I introduce Taiwan, I look at his tattoo and find Taiwan in his tattoo clearly. He even know the complex political relationship between Taiwan and China. He isn't used to kiss people's cheek to say hello. This remind me that the days I just came to France. I prefer keeping people in distance. And when shaking hand, Canadian doesn't say anything. If you keep talking, this will make Canadian feel strange. haha!

I've also met people from Philippine. When he told me that he has worked in Taiwan, I start to think some serious issues. I don't know how to react to him. Now, I just feel that I was so stupid. I should just chat with him and don't think it too much. That's enough...Next time, I want to become friends with people from Philippine and also show my appreciation, thank you for being willing to work in Taiwan and for bring your culture, delicious food here. Well... I become too serious now...

I love Rome. The reasons making me love Rome aren't just the historic sites, the delicious bread nor the delicious ice cream. It's also the travelers I meet here.

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Snowboarding, trekking in Chamonix!

First day in Chamonix
The weather is really good! It doesn’t rain. It’s about 4 degrees. Compared to Taiwan, it’s really cold. But I don’t feel cold. Maybe it’s because the weather here is dryer. From Clermont-FD to Chamonix, it takes looooong time. Before I come here, I’ve decided to learn skiing here. However, my knee hurts. It never happens before. It’s so weird. I even tried to find a doctor for this. Well… there was no doctor available on Friday… Therefore, I only did some google search for this and learn how to stretch myself out. It works! It doesn’t hurt that much. Thanks for the one inventing Internet!

I meet 3 wonderful girls from New Zeeland! I regret that I don’t squeeze some time to visit New Zeeland when visiting Australia. Anyway, I will be there one day. It’s nice to meet them. I see an independent girl whose waist injuries but she still deals with everything on her own. I don’t see any pain appearing on her face. What a wonderful girl! If I were her, I would sleep as much as I can until I can see the doctor! Umm…I’m not wonderful…I see 2 cool, vigorous skiers. Before next vacation, I will do too much exercise or my knee tragedy may happen again…

Second day in Chamonix
I do some trekking. I always do trekking with family. This time, I do it alone. I never enjoy the view because I always talk before…lol This time, I take photos, see the beautiful view and stepping on the ice. There is only some snow on the mountains and few snow on the ground. It’s still early. But I’m satisfied. It’s not easy to see snow in Taiwan at all. Taiwan is a tropical island… Here, I can feel stepping on some snow, see the snow view and, the most important part, it’s not cold! To be honest, it’s perfect for me!

When I do trekking, I see many local people doing trekking with dogs. France is really animal-friendly. I never see mad animal and people who hate animal. When dogs stay on the train, rare dogs wear equipment to prevent them from biting people or stay in the cage. The dogs always stay beside its owner patiently.

The only shortcoming here is that the wifi in hostel and Macdonald never work…I don’t book train tickets for Italy yet…

The other backpackers call New Zeeland girls Kiwi. Umm… am I beef noodles or other specialty? Do they know bubble tea from Taiwan? Anyway, just don’t call me sushi. I can’t speak any Japanese…

Third day in Chamonix- learned snowboarding, next parachute?
Snowboard day! Even though I’ve decided not to do any snow sport, I still go to the ski school and ask some information. And I ahead to the trekking place. I don’t want to do trekking anymore! I start to find shop to rent the equipment. The snowboard is rare than ski board… I go to 3 shop and find the most suitable one, not expensive, not too far from ski school etc.

It is private lesson. The group lesson isn’t available this afternoon. Umm…I can learn it faster in private lesson, right? It’s interesting lesson! I learn to do some cross and turn. It’s not difficult but need more practice. If you play skateboard, it would be easier. After this class, I want to play skateboard! Last time I played skateboard is my first time to play skateboard. Haha… Skateboarding is totally different from inline skating… I learn inline skating by myself. But I can’t learn skateboarding on my own… it’s weird or normal? This time, with a coach, the situation is better! I should stay here for whole vacation!! Maybe I should study here!

I send postcards to family and friends, too. This reminds me that I forget to contact friends in Rome!! There is always friends in hostel, right? T.T

3 days in Chamonix, I speak 3-day English.

*total cost for learning snowboarding: about 200 euros (include the snowboard, jacket, pants etc.)
*the beer of Chamonix: Chamonix de blond (if I don't remember it incorrectly)