California Gift and Taipei Diversions
December 14, 2004 8:33 PM Subscribe
Two questions: What would make a good California-related trinket/gift? And what's there to do in Taipei? [More Inside]
So in January, I'll be going to Taiwan for a one-month Winter Study course. I'll have a lot of free time. Are there any can't miss places in Taipei that should be worth checking out?
Regarding the California-related trinket question: The professor organizing the course says there is a chance we'll be visiting local families, students, etc. and that it is usually polite/customary to give a small inexpensive gift, and the best thing to do in that situation is to have something related to where I'm from, and I'm from California (southern to be more accurate, LA-area to be more specific, and Pasadena/Arcadia if you want to be extremely exact). This is a question that has often perplexed me--what would be a suitable trinket/gift that is representative of my area? It could be as general or specific in relation to my area, and probably should be easily identifiable as representative, but I hope I don't have to end up getting something cheesy like postcards of Disneyland or the Hollywood sign...
So in January, I'll be going to Taiwan for a one-month Winter Study course. I'll have a lot of free time. Are there any can't miss places in Taipei that should be worth checking out?
Regarding the California-related trinket question: The professor organizing the course says there is a chance we'll be visiting local families, students, etc. and that it is usually polite/customary to give a small inexpensive gift, and the best thing to do in that situation is to have something related to where I'm from, and I'm from California (southern to be more accurate, LA-area to be more specific, and Pasadena/Arcadia if you want to be extremely exact). This is a question that has often perplexed me--what would be a suitable trinket/gift that is representative of my area? It could be as general or specific in relation to my area, and probably should be easily identifiable as representative, but I hope I don't have to end up getting something cheesy like postcards of Disneyland or the Hollywood sign...
A pineapple. No, wait... um..... a silicone breast!
posted by Doohickie at 8:43 PM on December 14, 2004
posted by Doohickie at 8:43 PM on December 14, 2004
For your trinket question: One word: disneyland! I had a roommate in summer school from Taiwan and she and her friends went to disneyland like every weekend. She decorated our room with little minnie and mickey plush keychains and she generously gave me one to remember her by when we moved out. From my experience when you say you are from SoCal you get a blank look but if you say "y'know, near disneyland" their eyes light up with recognition. Universal calling card.
posted by tinamonster at 8:59 PM on December 14, 2004
posted by tinamonster at 8:59 PM on December 14, 2004
My only piece of advice is to try and not to get any trinkets that were made in China or Taiwan.
posted by gyc at 9:03 PM on December 14, 2004
posted by gyc at 9:03 PM on December 14, 2004
I guess I have more than the previous piece of advice. Although not California related, a sweatshirt or t-shirt from your school would still be related to where you're from and would probably make a nice gift.
posted by gyc at 9:05 PM on December 14, 2004
posted by gyc at 9:05 PM on December 14, 2004
You won't have any trouble finding interesting things to see and do in Taipei. Its a very big, crowded, colorful, and fascinating city. Have fun!
posted by spilon at 9:16 PM on December 14, 2004
posted by spilon at 9:16 PM on December 14, 2004
Visit the world's tallest building!
Recently on a trip to China our tour guide asked us if we knew where the world's tallest building is. I immediately yelled out "TAIPEI 101!" He said he'd never heard of it! Several of us assured him that it's true, but he still didn't think it was possible.
posted by steveminutillo at 9:35 PM on December 14, 2004
Recently on a trip to China our tour guide asked us if we knew where the world's tallest building is. I immediately yelled out "TAIPEI 101!" He said he'd never heard of it! Several of us assured him that it's true, but he still didn't think it was possible.
posted by steveminutillo at 9:35 PM on December 14, 2004
You have a looooong flight ahead of you.
posted by Mean Mr. Bucket at 9:39 PM on December 14, 2004
posted by Mean Mr. Bucket at 9:39 PM on December 14, 2004
I got pennants (sp?) from my local university (UC Santa Cruz) for people back in NZ.
posted by tracicle at 10:03 PM on December 14, 2004
posted by tracicle at 10:03 PM on December 14, 2004
There's a boat-load of stuff to do in Taipei or right outside of Taipei. My two favorite places in Taipei are the Shilin and Tamshui/Danshui nightmarkets, both of which are easily accessible from the subway. Ximending is a fun place to hang out. Outside of Taipei city, you should check out Jiufen/Chiufen and the ports in Jilong/Keelung. Too bad you're going in January, though, since the weather absolutely blows in Taipei that time of year (cold and very rainy).
posted by alidarbac at 10:19 PM on December 14, 2004
posted by alidarbac at 10:19 PM on December 14, 2004
Whatever you do, don't miss out on the opportunity to spend a good long day at The Palace Musem. It is truly breathtaking.
posted by tomble at 2:59 AM on December 15, 2004
posted by tomble at 2:59 AM on December 15, 2004
go to ding tai fong (din tai fung? stupid phoneticizations...something like that) and have some xiao long bao.
posted by juv3nal at 10:18 PM on December 15, 2004
posted by juv3nal at 10:18 PM on December 15, 2004
Wine is a good idea for a gift, but it should probably be from SoCal, not Napa. Say, some Foxen or Ojai.
posted by shoos at 11:18 PM on December 15, 2004
posted by shoos at 11:18 PM on December 15, 2004
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posted by mudpuppie at 8:42 PM on December 14, 2004