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イベント | ハウスメイトと一緒に、地元で旧正月の風習を体験！

みなさん「春節」をご存じですか？太陰暦にもとづき、「中国新年」や「旧正月」として広く親しまれるこのお祭りは、台湾では特に重要な祝日の一つとされています。この時期になると多くの人々が地元へと戻り、家族や友人との再会を楽しみながら新たな年の訪れをともに祝います。しかし一口に春節といっても、その風習や伝統は地域によってさまざま。中でも台湾の春節は、独自の魅力に溢れています！例えば、大晦日には家族が一堂に会し、先祖に感謝と敬意を伝える儀式を行います。その後、家族団らんの夕食を楽しみ、深夜まで語り合います。新年初日に行われるのが挨拶回り。親戚や友人の家を訪れ、新たな年の幸運を祈ります。二日目には既婚女性が自身の実家を訪れ、家族や親戚、そして親しい友人との絆を深めます。三日目は休息をとるため早めに就寝する日とされ、四日目には、神様をお迎えして一年の幸運を願うための儀式が行われます。そして五日目には仕事始めとなり、日常が戻ってきます。このように台湾の春節は、古くから伝わる伝統と現代の生活が融合する中で、家族の絆を深める貴重な時期となっています。

今年、ボーダレスハウスの台湾人ハウスメイト、ジェームスが、日本人ハウスメイトのあずさを特別な旧正月体験に招待！彼の地元である高雄や台南で、一緒に春節をお祝いしました。滞在を通じて、あずさはジェームスの案内で台湾独自の風習を体験し、春節の魅力に存分に触れることができたようです！彼らの旅を追いかけながら、旧正月の南台湾がどのように彩られるのか、一緒に見ていきましょう！

高雄から旅行を始めましょう！光のドーム、旗津、旗津灯台、駁二芸術特区✨


旧正月の冒険は、高雄での壮大な体験ととともにスタートしました！最初の目的地は、地元で話題の美麗島駅にある「光のドーム」。人生の物語を「水：生命の源」「地：繁栄と成長」「光：創造の精神」「火：破壊と再生」という4つのテーマで描いたこのアート作品は、訪れる人々に愛と寛容のメッセージを伝えます。高雄に来てくれた友人をここへ連れてきて、友情と思い出を刻んだ写真を撮るのが、私の定番コースです。



次なる目的地は、旗津の海岸線。私たちは自転車をレンタルし、海辺のバイクロードを颯爽と走り抜けました！潮の香りと海風が心地よく、夕日を背に輝くあずさの表情が印象的でした。サイクリングしながらこんなにも美しい景色を堪能するのは、彼女にとって珍しい体験だったようです。彼女の喜んでいる様子は、その笑顔からひしひしと伝わってきました。台湾の大自然に包まれながら、特別な一日の終わりを迎えるこのひととき。まさに旅の醍醐味です。



その後私たちは、夜景を楽しむために旗津灯台を訪れました。この場所には、旗津ビーチと高雄の夜景を一望できる素晴らしい眺めが広がっています。意外な穴場スポットのため、あまり人も多くありません。私たちはここで長い時間を過ごし、心穏やかなひとときを味わいました。


最後に船で高雄に戻り、駁二芸術特区を散策しました。私はあずさに、「高雄は歴史的に貿易が栄えた港町のため、頻繁に貨物船が行き来している」ことを説明しました。散策の道中には、たくさんのアートインスタレーションやフードトラックを見かけました。このように、元々は貿易商品を保管する倉庫だった駁二の建物が、今では芸術の中心地に変身しています。

佛光山、獅子舞や龍舞、そして台南に向かいましょう！



翌日、私たちは春の訪れを感じさせる特別な場所、佛光山へ足を運びました。台湾最大の仏教寺院であるこの聖地は、平和と繁栄を願う人々で年中賑わっています。しかし佛光山は、単に祈りを捧げるだけの場所ではありません。この寺院では、例えば大豆やキノコから作られたベジタリアンチキンなど、思いがけないほど多様なベジタリアン料理と世界各国の料理を楽しむことができます。また、新年の喜びを表現する獅子舞や龍舞が、そのいきいきとしたパフォーマンスで、祭りの雰囲気をより一層高めてくれました。


夜になると、私たちは台南へと向かいました。ここでは、日本統治時代の1932年に、台湾全土で2番目、南台湾で最初に開業した歴史あるデパート、林百貨を訪れました。リニューアルオープンした現在も、その歴史的価値を保ちつつ、「文化的でクリエイティブなデパート」として新たな魅力を発信し続けています。台湾の名産品である、ヌガーや茶葉、パイナップルケーキに始まり、衣類や旧日本統治時代の文化を反映したユニークな工芸品など、あらゆる商品が勢ぞろい！どの商品も、伝統的な和柄と地元台湾のスタイルが見事に融合した、愛らしいパッケージで販売されています。そのユニークな商品と文化的背景から、訪れる全ての人に特別な体験を約束する林百貨。ぜひ足を運んでみてください！

元宵節の雰囲気を体験し、美味しい台南料理を食べましょう。



春節が元宵節（春節から数えて15日目の満月の日。日本の小正月にあたる）に近づくこの季節、提灯祭りに彩られた台南の街は、まるで光の絨毯を敷き詰めたよう。今年も街のいたる所で提灯が輝き、寺院では独自の提灯が展示され、どこもかしこも祝祭の雰囲気で満ち溢れています。また、街中にひっそりとたたずむアート作品や小さなお店を前に、散策者たちは足を止め、小さな冒険へと足を踏み出します。




先ほど紹介した高雄は、夜ごとにその美しさを増す活気あふれた港町のイメージがぴったり。一方「食の首都」と呼ばれる台南で、その味を楽しまない手はありませんよね！台南伝統の朝食といえば海鮮粥。その昔漁業が栄えた台南ならではの、働く地元の人たちを支えるハートフルな料理です。そして、台南牛肉湯は絶対に試してほしい一品。濃厚で滑らかなスープに、柔らかく風味豊かな牛肉が加わることで、絶妙な味わいを生み出しています。台北と比べると台南の物価はお手頃なので、豊かな食文化を心ゆくまで満喫できること請け合いです！

台南で絶対に試してほしいデザートとして、豆花とフルーツかき氷を見逃すわけにはいきません。夏に人気のマンゴーかき氷は、外国人旅行者からも愛される一品。一方で冬には、旬のストロベリーかき氷で、甘いひとときを楽しむことができます。

以上が、あずさと一緒に故郷台湾で過ごした、充実の2泊3日の旅行記録でした。もし機会があれば、私も日本ならではの新年の風習を体験してみたいです:)！新しい文化を体験し、お互いの国の素晴らしさを共有し合う旅は、これからも続いていくことでしょう…。

海外友達を作りたくない？ボーダレスハウスに入居しましょう！

 BORDERLESS HOUSEで、まるで留学のような体験が自宅で可能に！世界中の文化があなたを待っています✨ 今すぐクリックして、国際的な旅を開始しよう👇 

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Choose The Best Locality To Rent A Share House In Taiwan!

If you will hold a meaningful conversation with people belonging from different corners of the world about their likes and dislikes, undoubtedly, you will come across many individuals who will describe traveling to new places as their favorite hobby. Many people will accept that visiting new places inspires them and aids them in learning new things. Some people will also confess that traveling works for them like yoga. It fills them with a new zeal for life, especially, traveling to the countries in the East.

Yes, traveling to the East has emerged as a new obsession for the travel junkies in the past few years. Discovering the East, its way of life, its culture, its habits, and traditions, has turned out to be a new fascination with the common people. Some individuals claim it is so because the East is deeply rooted in the old cultures and values, and that its lifestyle brings content and peace to the human mind and soul. This belief has given birth to the new trend of temporary migration to the East.

Now, one of the many countries situated in the East that has fascinated a lot of people with its customs and traditions, and which has attracted many travelers in the past few years is the country of Taiwan! Yes, Taiwan is an island country that is located in East Asia, and that is popularly known as the “heart of Asia.” This country is loved by migrants so much so that it topped the global rankings for ex-pats to live in the year 2016.

The major reason for this status and popularity enjoyed by the nation includes causes like the cheap and practical lifestyle of the country. People in Taiwan lead a simple and easy life. But still, the country boasts of a remarkable education system and strong infrastructure. In Taiwan, the convenience stores open 24*7, and they are present in every nook and corner of the country. Apart from this, the people here are also very friendly, and they never miss a chance of helping others even when the people in need are strangers to them.

So, if you too are one of these people who are thinking about moving to the East temporarily, then you must consider visiting Taiwan. While you are there, you can look for a share house, where you can stay for the duration of your visit. However, for those of you who are not sure about the localities in Taiwan where you should try to find accommodation, here is a list that you might find useful! Go, check it out?

What are the best localities to rent in Taiwan?

If you are moving to Taiwan and you are looking for a share house for accommodation purposes, then here is the list of localities that you should bother checking out to find a residence. Here you go!

So, you love shopping?

Well, I have met some people during my traveling excursions who describe shopping as a therapeutic act. Now, I might not feel about shopping the same way but who am I to judge? Hence, for those of you who consider yourselves shopping queens, and who would love staying in a locality that is close to a marketplace, I have some recommendations that you would appreciate.

So, for all the shopaholics out there, when you are looking for a share house try searching for one in the Shilin district that is considered to be the largest and the most famous night market in Taiwan. Apart from this place, you can also look for accommodation in the Da’an district that houses some quirky boutiques which sell trendy outfits. The Gongguan and Ximen areas are the two more localities that you can consider while hunting for share house service such as BORDERLESS HOUSE.

Would like to focus on your studies?

Taiwan is home to an extraordinary education system. Every year many people move to this place in search of better education. So, if you are one such people who has moved to this country for getting access to better education, then it makes sense that you would like to stay in a place that is close to your college or university so that you won’t waste much time in commuting between the places.

So, for those you would prefer that, I would recommend finding a share house in the Da’an district of the Taipei city that is home to many educational institutions. You can also consider searching BORDERLES HOUSE in the nearby Gongguan area that is also close to the National Taiwan University. Finding a residence in such places will also give you the benefit of staying with other students.

Want to live a thrilling and exciting life?

If you are one of those people who gets easily bored with leading the same monotonous life every day, you should try finding a place of residence in localities like Ximen or Zhongxiao Fuxing Area. Now, Ximen that stands for West Gate is an exciting area that houses historic Red house theatre. Around the theatre, there are also many bars, meeting places and shops that will keep you entertained. In the Zhongxiao Fuxing Area, on the other hand, you can locate many shopping malls that house some of the biggest brands. So, if you are also a fan of brands and you only like to shop for branded goods, then this is the place that you have been looking for.

However, for those of you, who do not consider shopping or dancing as thrilling enough activities, and who would prefer staying close to arts and culture, maybe you should try researching Shilin as a viable resident locality. Shilin is home to the National Palace Museum and it houses a remarkable collection of Chinese prints and fine arts. Apart from this, the area also has serene gardens and upscale eateries.

So, if you are moving to Taiwan, then these are some localities that you can check out to find a suitable share house for your stay!

All the best!

 

 

 

 

 

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Why Are Share Houses The Best Shelter Option When You Are Starting Life In Abroad?

In the present world, borders and boundaries have become fluid. These lines that mark and enclose an area to represent a city, country, or continent, and which primarily only exist on paper are in the present world not as rigid as they used to be earlier. Instead, in the present moment, these boundaries have become porous to allow people to move in and out of a country. This sits true for the borders and boundaries of almost all the countries or continents around the globe.

The Earth presently has become a global space, and all the cities and countries have become a part of its chain. Whether it is for studies or managing businesses, every year we witness people moving across borders. Because of this, it has become a natural occurrence to find citizens of different nationalities living together in a country they were not born or brought up.

But if you have ever traveled overseas, then you would know that living in a new country is not a very pleasant experience especially during the initial days. It is so because when you go to a new place you usually miss your old friends and family, and the previous surroundings terribly. Plus, when you move to a new country you feel like a stranger, and thus, it becomes difficult to blend in.

Mixing-in in a new country is not as easy as it may appear in the first place. We say so because when you go to a new place, you usually don’t know much about the culture or tradition of that place. And because of this, you always feel anxious and stressed in your new surroundings. You are always on your toes observing how other people are behaving so you would not mistakenly do that would hurt or disrespect the sentiments of the natives.

Thus, in such a time when you have freshly moved into a new country, it is considered a good idea to live in a share house. Doing so will help you in many ways. Wondering how that works? Well, in that case, read our next section to find out your answers.

How are share houses helpful in starting a fresh life in a new country?

A sharehouse is a big property that is offered on rent to tenants where many strangers share the same roof. In a share house, you can rent a single room for yourself or you can rent a room that houses 3 to 4 people in total depending upon your needs and requirements. This place is a top shelter choice for people, especially for those who have freshly shifted to a new country because-
It helps you in understanding alien customs.

As we have already established, when you move to a new country, chances are that you will be unfamiliar with its customs and traditions. This can make you anxious while adding to your stress levels. Also, there is this probability that if you did something wrong because of your unfamiliarity with the local customs that the natives find offending or insulting, then you might feel even more alienated and alone. Thus, for this reason, it is a safe choice to live in a share house at least for the initial days because there you are bound to come across many people who will be interested in international exchange.

When you will live with them, such people will help you in learning more about their local culture, while at the same time they will also try to understand your traditions. This healthy exchange will make your life significantly easier. So, if you want to know about the local customs and traditions of a place, its food, its manners, etc. in a friendly way without wasting much time, then share houses should be your top priority while seeking shelter.

It is a borderless accommodation

When you move to a new space how fluently you can speak their local language plays a very important role in deciding the ease with which you will blend in your new surroundings. So, for example, if you have moved to Taiwan for your further studies and you can fluently speak and write Chinese, then this will probably mean that you will find it easier to navigate Taiwan as compared to someone who doesn’t even understand Chinese. It is so because when you don’t understand the local language of a place, you find it hard to explain to people your queries or emotions.

Now, in such a scenario, it is wise to find a share house in your new country because in share houses you can probably find residents who are familiar with your language. In this way, your common language can help you in befriending people and it can also help you in learning the local language quite easily. We, BORDERLESS HOUSE, make language exchange easy for you by offering on our website the information about the nationality of its residents. You can even opt to talk to the residents of the share house while requesting a preview of the property.

It offers you easier access to common knowledge

When you shift to a new country, other than the customs, traditions, and language of that place there are many other things that you ought to learn about your new home town. These things include information on the common practices of the new place, knowledge about local shops and convenience stores in your locality, and awareness about the norms of living in that place such that your safety is not threatened.

Living in a share house can help you in gaining easy access to such information. It is so because when you are sharing a roof with other people you are bound to interact with them. In your conversations, you can come across the above-mentioned info without even requesting for the same. In opposed to this, if you opt to live alone in a new country, then acquiring such information may take some time.

Thus, these are some reasons because of which living in a share house should be your preferred choice. Living here can help you in settling-in easily.