普左傑實習心得08：去台南第二天的感想

實習心得08：去台南第二天的感想

作者：普左傑 Isaac Platt Zolov

日期：2024年11月5日

10月20日第二天，從早上八點參觀台南市各個古蹟（龍脈之旅）。

 

我們參觀第一個地方是台南著名的延平郡王祠。延平郡王祠建於大清帝國，奉祀台灣著名歷史人物鄭成功。我覺得最有意思的一部分是了解該祠的建築背景。由於該寺廟建造時受到了多元文化的影響，建築風格在台南是獨一無二的！不但包括台南閩籍的風格，也把日本建築風格跟台灣的結合起來。我從來沒看過那麼豐富的建築！

 

之後我們去參觀臨水夫人廟、北極殿、開基武廟等台南不同寺廟。在台南中西區逛街感覺好像處處都有寺廟。我在台北聽說台南是“寺廟之都”，這一天的行程確實證實了！對我來說，這個徒步旅行是一天中最令我印象深刻的部分。作為一個以前從未看過這麼多寺廟的人，走進所有寺廟並了解每座寺廟的歷史是非常有趣的。每一座寺廟都各不相同，都有自己獨特的建築和文化，真有意思！

 

到了每一座寺廟時，公民會辦公室主任周明琴（CHOU, Ming Chin）也當我和室友特別的導遊和“文化老師”。她特別介紹每個神的角色、文化背景和責任，也告訴我們她小時候去寺廟拜拜的回憶故事。她甚至教我們怎麼正式的拜拜！我為我的家人祈禱幸福安康。我真很感恩我在公民會的指導老師。他們不但在辦公室教我公民參與相關的事，也在辦公室外教我那麼多跟一般台灣文化、歷史、語言有關的事情！

 

儘管漫長而天氣炎熱的日子讓我有點累，但我很幸運能夠學到和經歷這麼多！不知不覺間，就到了高鐵站回台北。結束兩天台南的旅程！

Day Two in Tainan!

On our second day, we began bright and early with a morning-long tour of various historical landmarks throughout Tainan’s West-Central district. 

The first place we visited was the famous Koxinga Shrine. The Koxinga Shrine was built in the Qing Dynasty to enshrine Zheng Chenggong, a famous Taiwanese historical figure. I was interested in the architectural background of the temple. Due to the multicultural influences of the city when the temple was built, the architectural style is completely unique to Tainan, as it combines both Tainan’s Fujianese culture with Japanese architectural style. I have never seen such rich architecture!

Afterwards, we visited different temples in Tainan such as Linshui Lady Temple, Arctic Temple, Kaijiwu Temple, etc. When walking throughout Tainan’s Central and Western District, it feels like there are temples everywhere. There’s a saying that Tainan is the “Capital of Temples” and this day trip definitely confirmed it! As someone who has never seen so many temples before, it was very interesting to see all of  them and learn about their respective histories. Every temple is different and has its own unique architecture and culture, which is fascinating!

When we visited each temple, CHOU, Ming Chin, Office Director of TCPA, also served as a special tour guide and "cultural teacher" for my other American roommate and myself. She specifically introduced the role, cultural background and responsibilities of each god, and also told us her memories of going to temples to pray when she was a child. She even taught us how to ‘bai-bai’ formally! I am really grateful to have so many great supervisors atTCPA. They not only taught me things related to civic engagement in the office, but have also taught me so many things related to Taiwanese culture, history, and language that I continue to use throughout my daily life here in Taipei. 

Even though by the end I was definitely very hot and a little tired, I felt so lucky to have learned and experienced so much throughout this weekend! Before I knew it, I was at the high-speed rail station heading back to Taipei. A successful weekend!