Who Knew?
Much about Taiwan is unknown to most Americans. The majority of the Taiwanese people are ethnically Han Chinese, similar to mainland China, but there are also 16 authentic Aboriginal tribes. Their culture is different than Chinese culture, and they each have their own language, tribal dress and dances.
Purple Media Marketing Director Alex Trup told The Knockturnal that linguistic and genetic evidence suggests that the Maori in New Zealand, as well as indigenous people in the Philippines, are originally from Taiwan.
The Taiwan Tourism Bureau event, “My Taiwan Story,” was held in the World Trade Center’s Oculus June 23 and June 24. The bureau gave out kits to make bracelets of handcrafted, glass beads from the Paiwan tribe. The beads represent different attributes, such as success and health.
What’s Different?
Mr. Trup, who lives in the capital, Taipei, said that it Taiwan is a very free country. For starters, there’s freedom of speech. Taiwan was also the first nation in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
What’s his favorite thing about Taiwan? “Safety. Female travelers walking around at night experience no harassment; people are trustworthy and friendly; if you look lost, they will walk you to where you’re going; and the taxis are not going to take you for a ride.” Someone commented that it’s not like New York, and Mr. Trup said, “It’s not like London, where I’m from.”
What Else?
In addition to the indigenous-people booth, others included Taiwanese culture, food, tea, VR, cycling, China Airlines, Eva Air, and Remote Lands, the “specialists in extraordinary travel to Asia.”
Sweepstakes
If you would like to win a roundtrip flight to Taiwan, to tell your own Taiwan story, go to mytaiwanstory.com. The sweepstakes end at 11:59pm July 7.
I can’t wait to tell my Taiwan story!
#MyTaiwanStory
Instagram: @taiwantourism.na
Twitter: @TaiwaninNewYork
Photo, courtesy of The Taiwan Tourism Bureau
From left to right:
Richard Mei – China Airlines District Sales Manager, New York Branch Office; Claire Wen –Director of Taiwan Tourism Bureau in New York; Ambassador James K. J. Lee – Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York; Joseph Wu – China Airlines General Manager, NewYork Branch Office; and Fred Chang – EVA Air General Manager New York Branch.