Taiwan Tea Friend
When I meet Taiwanese people and we talk about tea, I often hear things like, ”Why do you drink tea - don’t foreigners all like coffee?”, “You’re so special because you know about tea,” or “You’re more ‘Chinese’ than us,” etc, etc. Well, last week, I found out I’m not quite so special, and that I’m not the only foreigner in Taiwan who prefers tea to coffee. Down in Miaoli, there’s another ‘teaguy’ who’s even ‘more Chinese’ than I am, and his name is Aaron Fisher.
He came across my website, and sent me an invitation to visit him in Miaoli:
Dear Friend,
We have so much in common and really must meet and become friends! I also have been passionate about tea for many years. I currently live in Miao Li. You are more than welcome to come down for tea anytime, and even stay the night if you need to (plenty of room). I am quite positive you will be very, very happy here (trust me :)). Also, check out the free magazine I founded: www.the-leaf.org Always great to meet another tea lover, especially in Taiwan (and foreign!).
Aaron Fisher
PS I love Van the Man too. No Guru No Method is one of the all-time greatest albums made!
Now, that’s not the kind of invitation I’m likely to ever refuse, and a road trip was quickly arranged. I had intended to document my bike ride down to Miaoli, but it rained so hard the entire trip it wasn’t really practical to take many photos. I’ll make it up on a later trip - I’m sure I’ll be going to Miaoli frequently!!
Here’s a picture from the Taipei end of the run - dressed for rain, with my travel tea set tied down behind me on the seat (I don’t leave home without it!). Probably will be my last trip on my trusty Hartford 150, as I’m currently trying to sell it so I can get a new bike.
Needless to say, I had a great time with Aaron. We drank tea and discussed ‘cha tao‘ all afternoon, continuing after dinner until 1:00 am. He has an amazing store of aged teas, antique teaware, and knowledge of tea. We clicked immediately, and although we’d just met, it felt like getting together with old friends. I think tea has that effect on people - meeting for coffee or a beer just doesn’t have the same feeling. Whether you’re the host brewing the tea, or the guest being served, it’s a physically relaxing yet mentally stimulating experience that is truly unmatched by any other beverage.
Of course, the wide selection of great music we listened to didn’t hurt the atmosphere at all. I’ve always marvelled at how perfectly the music of Van Morisson fits in with tea drinking, and getting confirmation of this from Aaron, who’s also a big fan, served as justification for my longstanding love affair with ‘The Man’, his killer melodies and fantabulously introspective lyrics.
“Oh, that love that was within me, you know it carried me through
Well it lifted me up and it filled me with meditation, contemplation too”
-Van Morrison, ‘Got To Go Back’
Thank you very much Aaron for the opportunity to meet you and share your passion for tea. You’re hospitality and generosity of spirit are a welcome break from the cynical self-absorption of the world we live in. I look forward to visiting with you more, and hosting you in Taipei as well.
