This was an assignment for English class. Hope you enjoy!!
Once, when my mother and I went to a night market in Taiwan, we diverted ourselves for hours and hours, until we urgently had to use the restroom. We searched and searched for one, and we found out that the only restroom was in a dark, dirty alley. Quite scary if you ask me. Naturally, I grew fearful that someone would pop out of the darkness and kill me. Of course, no one did, but that unusual experience at the night market stayed with me. In spite of that unusual experience, Taiwanese night markets best serve as diverting attractions thanks to the delicious food, vibrancy, and unique shops.
To start, night markets sell delicious food. First, night market food is typically inexpensive in cost. A Taiwanese meatball in Taiwan costs approximately one U.S. dollar, while one costs around three dollars in the U.S. One could eat until he or she feels full on three piping hot snacks, after spending only about five U.S. dollars. People indulging in a complete teppanyaki meal in Tonghua Night Market would spend only around three U.S. dollars, claims the Taiwan Tourism Bureau; however, people would pay around 23 dollars for a hibachi steak teppanyaki meal from Benihana’s in the U.S.! Next, a broad variety of appetizing food exists here. Vendors cook delicious traditional Taiwanese and non-Taiwanese food fresh on the spot. Shaved ice, stinky tofu, rice cake, and the world renowned bubble tea are only some of the various foods sold. Eating night market food can offer a novel experience, since visitors eat their food on the streets, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lastly, several foods only taste well served in the night markets. Traditional Taiwanese night market cuisine is more authentic at its origin, of course. In fact, Taiwanese snacks form a vital part of contemporary Taiwanese cuisine.
Secondly, in addition to delicious food, the special energy in the atmosphere also highlights night markets. The fact that huge crowds fill the streets at night attests to the animation of night markets. It is only common to spot mountains and seas of people flooding night markets. Vendors sometimes yell out to attract potential customers. With all the talking people, night markets are undoubtedly loud and lively to the extent that night markets would simply not be night markets without the hustle and bustle. Another evidence is how the visitors trek the streets with spirit. These people happily go in and out of shops and enthusiastically eat the various foods as well, granted that the food tastes pleasant. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs enthuses that night markets are “festive and boisterous, and are popular places to relax.” Finally, people occasionally perform on the streets. This only supplements the radiance of the typical night market.
Lastly, unique shops in night markets also attract visitors. First of all, the shops here sell items that are much more economical than those outside. Customers can bargain on prices with the store owner, in some stores. One could buy a popular Rilakkuma plush toy in a mall for around twenty U.S. dollars, but night markets would retail the same or close to same plush for six U.S. dollars. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan), “[Night markets] are practical, inexpensive, and play an important role in the lives of Taiwanese people.” Also, many items are sold either exclusively or only in abundance, here in night markets. A shopper could search many malls and never find, for example, a special phone case but may find the one he or she has wanted, at night markets. Equally important, many shops in night markets specialize in unique creations. Artists will sometimes sell their own paintings, calligraphic papers, keychains, dolls, clay objects, and such, all at night markets. Of course, these works of art do not have copies.
Undoubtedly, my mother and I continued to shop down the seemingly endless streets until our hearts were content, after our unusual experience regarding the restrooms. We ate as we walked, and we shopped until we nearly dropped, at midnight. People truly enjoy visiting night markets because of their mouthwatering food, vivacity, and distinctive shops. A trip to Taiwan unaccompanied by a journey to the night markets would definitely be incomplete. Without night markets, modern Taiwan would drastically drastically differ from what it is today.
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