Oslo 2 / 奧斯陸 2

皇宮：

位於卡爾約翰大道的盡頭，於十九世紀前半期為國王查爾三世所建，採新古典主義風格。

Slotter: 

It's located at one end of Karl Jogans Gate, built in the first half of the 19th century for King Charles III. 

The architectural style is neoclassical. 

皇宮左方是綠意盎然的樹林，夏天的景致特別美好。

On its left side is a vast stretch of lush woods. In summer, the view is especially lovely. 

國家劇院：

從皇宮往國會的方向前進，沿途會經過國家劇院，建築前立有易卜生的雕像。

National theater: 

Keep walking forth, and you'll see thee national theater along the way. One of the statues in front of it is Ibsen. 

市政廳：

從國家劇院往前走就是市政廳，建設始於1931年，中途因世界地二次大戰停工，1950年才落成。每年12月10日的諾貝爾和平獎頒獎典禮於奧斯陸市政廳舉行，這是諾貝爾當年的遺願，而其他獎項的頒獎典禮則是在斯德哥爾摩頒發。

Oslo City Hall: 

Take a right turn when seeing the national theater. Go straight, and the city hall is further down the road. The construction started in 1931, but it was paused by the outbreak of the Second World War before the inauguration in 1950. Every year on December 10, the award ceremony of Nobel Peace Prize will be held here, as Nobel wished. The other Nobel prizes are awarded in Stockholm, though. 

非常有藝文氣息的市政廳外貌。

The outward appearance of the city hall is highly artistic too. 

內部的壁畫也非常美輪美奐。

The murals are more than amazing. 

雖然很多藝術作多少有政教宣傳的意味，但還真是漂亮啊！

Though the artworks are meant to tell the history of the nation, I still can't deny they're beautiful to look at!

諾貝爾和平中心：

從市政廳再往前走即可到達，展出和諾貝爾和平獎相關的展覽。

Nobel Peace Center: 

Go straight down to the harbor. The Nobel Peace Prize Center, which showcases exhibitions related to the Nobel Peace Prize, is nearby. 

冷冷的夏天早晨，出來蹓狗的挪威人，不知是不是因為天氣，城市的挪威人不如鄉下遇到的友善。

Norwegians that walk their dogs on a chilly summer morning. I don't know whether it's the weather, but the urban Norwegians do not feel so friendly as the suburban ones. 

走回到卡爾約翰大道，沿路的公園裡有可以用信用卡付費的公共廁所。

Time to go back to Karl Johans Gate. There are mobile lavatories which accept credit cards in the park along the way. 

和不能飛的紅色氣球。

And the red balloon that can't fly. 

沿途偷閒去了書店，有舒適的沙發閱讀區，但是挪威的書超級貴，買了兩本就花上台幣兩千元。

I sneaked to a bookstore. It's cozy to read on the sofa. Books in Norway are pricey. I spent more than 2,000 NTD buying two books. 

國會前享受夏日的金髮美女配上盛開的玫瑰花。

Blonde ladies enjoy their summer evenings in  front of Stortinget. 

Grand 飯店：

建於1874年，一樓是Grand 咖啡館。

Grand Hotel: 

Built in 1874. On the first floor is the renowned Grand Cafe. 

咖啡館內部的裝潢有富貴的藝術氣息，據說易卜生常常和文藝界的朋友在這裡用餐，現在則有許多貴婦和中上流階級的客人。我們在這裡享用三明治吃到飽的午餐，雖然當天下著冷冷的雨，而每個三明治都好飽滿，四方形的土司上堆滿生菜配海鮮和牛肉，不是超級可口，不過咖啡館的氛圍無價。

The cafe oozes artistic aura, the kind that only the rich can afford. It is said that Ibsen used to lunch here with his artist friends. During our stay, we saw mostly middled-aged or elderly guests. We had all-you-can-eat sandwich buffet. However, it was a unique experience to eat cold colorful sandwiches on a cold rainy day though they were piled high with salads, seafood, and beef. Not quite yummy, but I'd do anything now to buy that experience. 

下次要能再拍到這樣的照片也要等個一年了吧！

I'll have to wait for another year to take such a photo! 

Cultural tour in Taipei / 台北文化之旅

攝於田園城市書店．台北 / photo taken in Gardencity Bookstore, Taipei 

從倫敦回到台北之後，我很積極地想要多認識我生長的城市，於是我參加北藝大的文化散步之旅，有老師介紹大同中山區小巷裡的書店和文創事業。

Since coming back to Taipei from London, I have felt the urge to know more about my city. Thus, when I discovered the cultural walking tour held by Taipei National University of the Arts, I was rather thrilled. The tour of December is about the bookstores and cultural and creative industry in Datong and Zhongshan Districts in Taipei, which used to be the major business hubs. 

第一站是捷運雙連站一號出口附近的田園城市書店，圖中的老闆以台灣在地的出版品為主，雖然不是主流的書店，但是老闆致力把很有台灣味的書籍推銷到國外。店內也有插畫作品，有興趣的朋友可以投稿。

The first stop is Gardencity Publishers and Bookstore near exit 1 of Shuanglian MRT Station. The owner, as you can see in the middle of the photo, focuses on publishing books written by Taiwanese authors and about Taiwan. Then they are translated into other languages and promoted abroad. There are also illustrated publications in the form of picture books more for adults. If you are interested, why not take a try? 

書店樓下是個小巧優雅的展間，老闆強調展覽多以有「人」的味道為主，下一檔由幾位攝影家上場，主題是以影像爲情書，明年一月五日開展。

The basement of the bookstore is a small but tasteful exhibition room. The publisher emphasizes that they are particularly interested in works that center around people or handmade feel. The upcoming exhibit, starting from Jan. 5, is about love letters in the form of visual images by several photographers. 

在這家店我一直想到半年前於倫敦的Nobrow之旅，雖然當時總覺得回來之後不會有那麼豐富的資源，但現在卻因爲自己願意走出去感到慶幸，台灣也有很多在爲文化藝術努力的人們。

During our stay in this bookstore, I recalled the trip to Nobrow in London half a year ago. Back then I had the idea that there wouldn't be so many resources in Taipei. Now I am glad that I have taken a step forward, thus realizing that many Taiwanese are actually working hard for art and culture. 

攝於台灣好．店 / photo taken at Lovely Taiwan Shop 

第二站是捷運中山站附近的台灣好．店，這是幾位原本反對見蘇花高的企業家轉念，想爲台灣的文化事業有所貢獻的成果。

The second stop is Lovely Taiwan Shop near Zhongshan MRT station. The foundation Lovely Taiwan was founded by several entrepreneurs who were brought together by their common goal to protest against the construction of freeways in the east Taiwan. Later, they decided to turn their opposition into positive contribution. Their ideal is to do something for the cultural industry of Taiwan. 

台灣好．店的主要理念除了推銷台灣藝術家的作品外，也和原住民及弱勢族群合作，賦予每件商品故事，藉此讓顧客更瞭解台灣文化，在店裡我們吃了台中女子監獄受刑人做的巧克力，也喝了921後台中茶農為了自立種植的森林紅茶，更學到原來現在國外觀光客來到台灣，想體驗的是在地的台灣經驗，而文創也是旅行的一部份。

Apart from promoting artworks by Taiwanese artists, the foundation also cooperates with the minority groups in Taiwan. They stress the importance of stories behind every product. In this way, customers  get to learn more about Taiwan. In the shop we sampled chocolate made by female prisoners in Taichung. Also, we tasted black tea planted by farmers who would like to be on their own feet again after the famous 921 Earthquake. Most of all, I was surprised to hear that now international tourists make it a point to experience Taiwanese culture on their trips here, in which the creative industry plays an important part. 

我在幾個月前就買了照片中台客藍出產的白色馬克杯，不僅每天上班很喜悅，這個美麗的杯子也受到很多同事青睞。

I bought one of the white mugs shown in the photo above, designed by a Taiwanese artist two months ago. It not only brings me great joy at work but also attracts the attention of many colleagues. 

攝於日星鑄字行 / photo taken at Ri Xing Type Foundry  

整趟散步之旅中我最期待的就是去日星鑄字行，兩個月前在報紙上讀到有關鑄字行的介紹就一直想親訪，這家店是台灣唯一僅存的鑄字行，現在不只是一家店，也有歷史古蹟的意涵。

I was most looking forward to visiting Ri Xing Type Foundry on the walking tour. Since reading about it in the newspapers two months ago, I had wanted to take a look at the shop in person. Ri Xing is the only type foundry left in Taiwan now. It is more than a shop; in fact, there is much historic significance to it. 

店內有英文字及好幾款大小不同的中文字模，顧客可以慢慢挑選。

There are English and Chinese typefaces in various sizes, and the customers can take their time to select the words they are looking for. 

我已經想到可以如何運用這些資源，下次我要帶很多錢回到鑄字行採買！

It has occurred to me how to make use of these resources. Next time I'll go back to the foundry, with a BIG budget! 

Paris 3 / 巴黎 3

展覽/ Exhibitions

巴黎處處都有展覽可看，第一天下午我無意間走道市政廳，看見一堆人在排隊，原來有免費的多諾攝影展，我也跟著排，說這個名字也許你不知道是誰，但你一定有看過一對情侶在街上傾身四十五度親吻。多諾留下很多記錄巴黎的歷史照片，後來到布魯賽爾時發現當地有他的另一場展覽。

There are exhibitions everywhere in Paris. On the first afternoon, I come across Hotel de Ville, seeing people queuing up. Then I realize there is a free exhibition of Doisneau's photos of the Halles. Of course I have to seize the good opportunity. The name might not ring a bell, but you must have seen a black and white photo of a couple kissing with their bodies half bending on the street. Doisneau left a very important record of Paris' history. Later when I travel to Brussels, I find another exhibition of his going on in the city.

另一邊是我最愛的法國插畫家桑培的展覽，哇，他的作品之多，可以免費看到這場展覽，真是需要天大的運氣！

On the other side is the exhibition of my favorite French illustrator, Sempe. He has produced an abundant number of works! I must be really blessed to have found this free exhibition! 

凱特琳娜推薦給我的羅丹美術館和畢卡索美術館最近都閉館，雖然我一度弄錯龐畢度美術館休館的日子，最後還是去到了，看了我很喜歡的馬蒂斯展。

Caterina recommended to me the Museums of Rodin and Pablo Picasso, but both of them are closed for renovation. Though I go to Center of Pompidou on the wrong day when it's closed on a weekly basis, I still make it the next day and see the exhibition of my favorite artist Matisse. 

街頭藝術/ Street Art 

走在巴黎街上很忙，大街小巷就是有看不完的美景。

My eyes are busy when I walk in Paris because there are endless beautiful things to see. 

上面兩張是在龐畢度中心旁邊的風景。

The two photos (of the lip and the mural) are taken in the area of Pompidou Center. 

法國作家瑪麗呂哈絲說：讓一個字成為一個句子美麗的愛人。

The French writer Marguerite Duras said, "Make a word become the beautiful lover of a sentence." 

很多街景都是在迷路時拍到的。

I find much lovely streetscape when I am lost... 

街頭/ Streets 

一到巴黎就走進這家超棒的獨立藝術書店。

I walk into this really awesome indie art bookstore the first morning I arrive in Paris. 

經典的巴黎地鐵招牌。

The classical Parisian metro sign. 

每天都要去報到的郵局，市政廳分局的行員都認識我了。沒有電腦可用的日子我特別開心，因為我可以寄很私密的信給家人和朋友。

I go to the post offices every day. I believe the clerk working in the branch office of Hotel de Ville know me by face. I am especially happy on days when I have no access to the Internet because then I can send very intimate mail to friends and family. 

我不是很有購物慾望的人，這一年花的很多錢都是為別人買的禮物，可是在巴黎，每間服飾店都讓我想認真地看價錢，因為衣服都好美麗啊！

I am not someone with great desire for shopping. In fact, I have spent much money this year sending gifts home. However, in Paris, every boutique makes me want to seriously look at the prices. The clothes are SO beautifully designed! 

麵包甜點店真的會讓人看得目不轉睛。

Boulangeries/Patisseries will make your eyes and hearts fixed on the colorful window display as if you were under a magic spell. 

我也想擁有這麼一台亮麗的買菜車。

I'd love to own such a shiny rolling basket for grocery-shopping! 

餐廳的仿古菜單，應該也是很有歷史的餐廳，因為我的導遊羅蘭先生劈哩趴啦地對我說了數個小時的法文，來不及做筆記就過去了。

The retro menu of a restaurant with great history, I think. My tour guide Rolland speaks French to me for 3 to 4 hours, and without making notes, a lot of details just slip by. 

我的書什麼時候才會擺在這個櫥窗裡呢？

When will my book(s) be displayed in the same window case?