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When I left The Gambia, I wasn’t certain as to what kind of food I will
be eating for the next two years of my studies in Taipei, Taiwan. As
many people would think back home, the Far Eastern nations (Chinese) eat
totally different kinds of food from our part of the World, Africa. When
asked, one would say frogs, snake meat, etc. Other people believe that
the Chinese people cannot eat anything without pork. This negative
perception of the Far East seriously affected my enthusiasm to study in
Taiwan.
We were taken to the Pasta Paradiso by one
of the MTC support staff, Windy, who turned out to be one of the most
resourceful and caring woman I have ever met. Her English didn’t seem
very good at first due probably to the difference in accent. But
nevertheless she was able to assist us in ordering our first meal in
Taiwan. When asked to order our meal, I hurriedly requested for a bowl
of rice just like any of my fellow countrymen would do, since we didn’t
eat rice on our journey to Taipei, which lasted for three days. She
quickly said no rice here, only pasta. I turned round to one of my
female colleagues and she without hesitation said, problem. I then asked
for the menu and she said choose from the three items on the list. I
quickly scanned the list and pointed to item (2) two which read –
Seafood Pasta with Tomato sauce.
A fresh pint of water with lemon was served together with the meal.
Th e
hot steaming plate looked really delicious I commented to my female
colleague sitting next to me. I observed the contents of the plate
meticulously using the chop-sticks and found that various sorts of sea
food items were cooked and mixed with pasta and tomato sauce. The smell
was quite nice and appetising, probably due to the fact that I was very
hungry. I finished the plate within a very short time, probably could
get me into the Guinness Book of Records. The taste, asked my female
colleague, I said GOOD, but really not quite sure as I was mainly
concerned with filling my empty stomach at the time.
The next day after a long and hectic orientation schedule, I
collected my food coupon from Madam Windy and headed straight to Pasta
Paradiso with two of my male colleagues. We got lost a couple of times
but eventually found the place. The same lady who served the food came
again with cold water with fresh lemon slices in three pints. Without
looking at the list of three items, I quickly shouted Seafood Pasta with
Tomato Suace. My colleagues laughed and commented that I really like
this dish and I answered slowly am just testing/tasting! This time round
I enjoyed the meal and found it extremely delicious and healthy.
During the two-weeks of orientation at the Mandarin Training Centre
(MTC) in Shida Library Campus, together with my colleagues we went round
to various other restaurants like Jaimaca and many others for our
evening meals. We had also tried the local food stalls along the streets
of Shida Night Market, Shilin Night Market and Gonguan Night Market. We
were also privileged to be invited to a couple of high profile hotels
including the most prestigious hotel, Grand Hotel during our orientation
graduation ceremony.
 Upon
serious reflection of my choice of Taiwanese food, I would without
reservation say, Seafood Pasta with Tomato Sauce and am quite confident
that most of my colleagues would agree with me. Before my finally
departure from the orientation camp to my dormitory at the Shida Branch
in Tingjhou Road, I went to the restaurant to ask for the recipe, but
due to their company rules I couldn’t have access to it.
In my own perspective and understanding of the dish content and
what it taste, I have created my own recipe and have tried it several
times and it keeps getting better and better. I e-mailed the recipe to
my family and friends in the Gambia and most of them said its one of the
best recipes they ever had. I was also able to show them that all the
negative thoughts they have for the Far East in terms of food isn’t
quite right.
There is a lot to learn from this beautiful Island, apart from the
academic courses and programmes. The diverse and rich culture, the food,
the business environment and the natural environment which we can all
share and learn from to help develop our beloved nations striving for
development.
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