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The holiday at Taiwan's heart
Last Updated Sunday March 16, 2008, EDT 12:05 PM
Chinese New Year is more than a parade in Taiwan, where the holiday also marks a political changeover. (This year is the 97th year of the post-Qing dynasty Republic of China.)
It's never too early to start planning a trip there for the new year — in fact, it might be wise to book plane tickets well in advance to avoid a pricing spike close to the date. Next year, the Year of the Ox, begins Jan. 26.
I visited my parents in Taiwan this year for a traditional New Year's. Whenever I go, there's always a lot of culinary ground to cover. Chinese New Year takes eating to a different level and adds a level of spiritual meaning: It's like Thanksgiving and Christmas come at the same time. Not only is it a holiday of Daoist traditions and ceremonies, it's also a time for big department store sales and big meals.
You can feel the general excitement on the streets, in the markets and in communities. The temples have the highest traffic of any time of year. It's a genuine event of emotional significance — something that goes above and beyond the flashy lion dances in New York's Chinatown.
That's what I went home for and what I hoped to capture with these photographs.
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