20/22 retro.taipei.dihua.street.迪.化.街

  the start of the middle section of dihua street where north and south street intersect.  you started from here and strolling south bound...this street is very nostalgic and very old taipei. almost resemble the carpenter street of your hometown, yet different in every sense.

 a gallery that opens but almost deserted on monday

 and the internal structure of these buildings are very interesting and charming

 a famous pastry shop (or bakery) that selling old fashion treats

 then the utensils shop with things made of bamboo, wood or steel

 and  more of this type of bamboo and wood product shops. old fashion but really interesting merchandise they sell

 and the dry goods shops, almost serve like the distribution center with piles of dried mushroom and garlic bulbs laying around

 and some sundries shops selling chinese herbs, tea leaves and spices.. very interesting and you got some packs of taiwanese flavors here

this is the only textile handicraft store that you encounter. and to your delight, this is exactly what you're looking for, some hakka floral print on the lamb shade or the sofa cushion covers.  they're dirt cheap compared to european standard but only transacts in cash.  under the low taiwanese cash flow mode, you only acquired a couple of things that you really like.

a almond pudding shop that open on monday, so you rest your feet here by feeding yourself with almond pudding. the pudding is really nice and comparable to those you tried in tainan. in summary you'd a glimpse of old taipei, obviously visiting here on monday is a wrong choice as most shops and restaurants are closed but set the timing aside, you really enjoy your time here.  the street is very long spans across north and south section and you only explore a fraction of the street, yet you have seen and experience a lot. imagine if you spend the whole day here, it will be a fantastic journey of traveling down the old taipei history.  you loved everything you see, you touch and if you have another chance for taipei, you will be back to this street again.