A walk in hipsterville

Just some random shots from Williamsburg, it's such an interesting neighborhood.  I did sneak in a LES shot though.

Can't wait till the weather warms up so I can do more photo walks.

Taiwan - Stomach edition

To appreciate Taiwanese cuisine you got to hit the street.  This is where it all happens, where the locals gather to get their grub on and where the food is influenced by all the neighboring countries, the recent fad and anything else that might help the vendor to make a buck.  In all the hustle and bustle you'll still find the traditional Taiwanese favorites that are firmly rooted in the Chinese culinary ways.  So where did I go?  The night market of course!

Every night the local vendors get their food cart on the street and prepare for the onslaught of students and salary men that invade the streets when the sun goes down.  There are small eateries and food carts all along the block, all crammed together with convenience stores, shops, and salons.  Meanwhile the people travel up and down these streets like a school of sardines on a feeding frenzy drawn to all the lights and smells.

You can also find produce, hand made noodles and other fun things as you let the current of faceless hungry masses swept you through the streets.

Beyond the street noise you'll hear the sizzle of the grill, the steam from the steamers, but none will be louder than that growl from your stomach when you let all five senses indulge in the night market.

Strange Fruit

If you ask me what is my favorite fruit, it's 蓮霧, unequivocally that is my favorite fruit.  The problem is that I don't know what it's called in English and I have yet to find any place that sells it outside of Taiwan & China.  So you can imagine the frustration of not being able to find the fruit and having no idea how to tell people what it is because you don't know the name in English.  However, on my recent trip back to Taiwan I made up for 8 years of 蓮霧 deprivation in one glorious gluttony.

Many thanks to dad for remembering my favorite and making sure there is plenty to stuff into my pie hole.

Imagine the cripsness, juiciness and texture of the watermelon (number 3 on my fruit ranking) mixed with some tartness and a subtle sweetness all in the palm of your hand.  It's divine.

Oh my sweet little delectable cone shaped goodness, we will meet again and it will be heavenly.