Director Takayuki Nakamura's Experiences Living in Kaohsiung／跟著中村隆幸所長 遊高雄
Director Takayuki Nakamura's Experiences Living in Kaohsiung
◎English translation: Wendy Wei Chang
◎Photo by Huang Ching-wen
Mr. Takayuki Nakamura became the Director of the Interchange Association (Japan), in Kaohsiung at the end of March, 2013. Today, he navigates the city like a true local and has found great happiness living here. Director Nakamura describes Kaohsiung as a sunny city full of warmth and culture, with people that are always polite and friendly. He enjoys Kaohsiung's hospitality and great scenic spots. Having become fully immersed in local ways, he can even joke around in Taiwanese.
In Japan, the cherry blossoms last for only a short time every year; however, in Kaohsiung he enjoys the flowers that are in bloom all year round. He particularly likes the golden Cassia fistula and flaming red Flamboyant trees. Director Nakamura also enjoys Kaohsiung's natural beauty, such as the ocean, mountains and hot springs. On sunny days, Director Nakamura enjoys going out to Mount Siagang where he has a secret spot that overlooks the majestic Agongdian Dam.
Although he has several favorite scenic spots in Kaohsiung, Chengcing Lake has a special place in his heart, as he remembers how much he loved it when he visited Kaohsiung 30 years ago. He also really likes the Love River by night and the sunset over the lighthouse at Sizihwan Bay. Other favorites include the ocean view from the 85 Sky Tower, the badlands at 308 Highland, the unique Mud Volcanoes in Yanchao, and the picturesque mountains of Meinong.
Out of all the Taiwanese holidays, Director Nakamura enjoys Chinese New Year the most. He also enjoys the Lantern Festival with its festive atmosphere and beautiful fireworks at Love River. This year, he also attended his first Song-Jiang Jhen Battle Array in Neimen. He particularly enjoyed its unique, choreographed Kung Fu performances. He encourages overseas visitors to come and experience Kaohsiung's unique culture and scenic spots.
跟著中村隆幸所長 遊高雄
◎文／侯雅婷
◎攝影／黃敬文
日本交流協會高雄事務所所長中村隆幸於2013年3月底上任迄今，已經在高雄住了26個月，他是道地的高雄通，經常在高雄各地深度旅遊，他以「陽光、充滿人情味和富含文化的海港都市」來形容高雄這個城市，稱讚高雄人親切又溫暖，他對高雄的熱情與濃厚的人情味最對味！
生活在高雄，中村所長細細體會日常週遭的景色，他談起，日本櫻花季節非常短暫，但高雄一年四季街頭卻常見盛開著不同的花，又說，這個時節盛開的紅色鳳凰花和黃色的阿勃勒垂掛枝頭，非常漂亮。他還學會以台語與人打招呼和開玩笑，融入高雄生活的程度可見一般。
當被問起最喜愛的高雄景點，他反覆思索許久，在他心中有許多個第一，他說，30多年前造訪高雄就非常喜愛澄清湖，對澄清湖的喜愛仍延續至今，也大力推薦愛河的夜景、西子灣燈塔看夕陽、85大樓壯闊的海景，308高地險峻的惡地形、燕巢區奇特的泥火山以及美濃區雲霧飄散於山巒間的美麗景緻；天氣晴朗時，從小崗山眺望阿公店水庫是中村所長的私房景點。
眾多節慶中，他最鍾情饒富年節氣氛的台灣農曆新年，過年期間的元宵燈會，愛河畔施放眩麗的煙火秀，整個城市充滿年節熱鬧氛圍，令他印象深刻。特別是今年他第一次參加「內門宋江陣」，感受到宋江陣是內門獨有的傲人文化，結合眾多表演者呈現整齊劃一的功夫表演，大讚精彩、有看頭。
中村所長說，高雄擁有豐富的自然景觀，有山、海和溫泉，還可品嚐豐盛鮮美的海鮮和特色料理，他鼓勵造訪高雄的外國朋友多多嘗試，體驗甜美的人文風情。
The Doorman of the Grand Hi-Lai Hotel- Cheng Yi-yang
◎English translation: Lin Yi-chun
◎Photo by Huang Ching-wen
Mr. Cheng Yi-yang has been the doorman for the Grand Hi-Lai Hotel in Kaohsiung for twenty years. Come rain or shine, he always carries out his job with grace and a warm smile. In fact, he epitomizes the hospitality and refined elegance a doorman should exhibit. His competence has earned him the nickname, "The Gem of the Grand Hi-Lai Hotel".
Cheng explains that in his job he has developed "an eye for detail". His responsibilities include advising the bellboy on guest's luggage and valet services. He also works with his colleagues in order to ensure guest's safety upon entering the hotel and that traffic flows in front of the hotel.
Although interactions between a doorman and hotel guests are limited and usually only occur between their vehicle and the lobby, guests always remember him. He considers himself as a rather quiet and reserved person, but he still gets about one or two thank-you letters a month from guests who appreciated his excellent service. Cheng believes guests appreciate the individual care he gives them and how he delivers service with sincerity. He has also become known for his graceful and impressive hand gestures he uses while patrolling the traffic around the hotel.
When Cheng was younger, he remembers his parents taught him, "Whatever You Do, Do It Well". This has made a big impact on his career and respect for his job. At work he is usually on his feet 7.5 out of 8 working hours a day. In order to maintain these physical demands, he never stays up late and keeps a healthy routine. Cheng has also made sure that he is constantly upgrading his skills. One of these is to improve the hand signals he uses when conducting traffic.
He is always working to improve his technique and gets new techniques by watching police directing traffic videos online. He also stays current with national and international affairs and works on developing skills such as face recognition. The hotel has also provided him with some courses, such as a poise and etiquette class. However, no amount of training can make everyone exhibit the warmth and kind greetings Cheng gives guests from the very moment they step out of their car. It is these nice touches that surprise and delight guests, making them feel more at home at the Grand Hi-Lai Hotel.
Cheng Yi-yang's great care and conscientious work ethic has not only won him great respect from guests, but also exemplifies the depth and high level of skills that are required in becoming such an expert doorman.
漢來大飯店門衛鄭義揚
◎文／侯雅婷
◎攝影／黃敬文
今年是鄭義揚在高雄漢來大飯店擔任門衛工作的第20個年頭，他一站上工作崗位，無論風吹、日曬、雨淋，挺直腰桿、優雅的指揮手勢和親切的笑容，體現門衛工作的優雅，被譽為漢來大飯店的「鎮店之寶」。
鄭義揚說，門衛工作得留意許多細節：把客人的行李交予行李員、幫客人泊車並留意停駐門口客人的安全；更要與工作伙伴通力合作，維持人車進出飯店的安全和流暢。
門衛工作與客人互動時間有限，從客人下車到步入飯店大廳之間的短暫時間裏，自認個性安靜、木訥的鄭義揚卻能讓客人記住他，每月約有1～2次，客人還特地捎信到飯店稱讚並感謝他的服務，讓人不禁好奇鄭義揚的服務為何能深植人心？鄭義揚說，客人能感受到他誠摯的服務態度，此外，指揮交通的優雅手勢也讓人印象深刻。
「做什麼像什麼。」是鄭義揚父母親給他的家訓，這對他的深遠影響展現在自己對門衛工作的尊重！他說，門衛一天8小時工作中，有7.5小時是站著，為保持好體力，鄭義揚每天不熬夜、作息規律；再加上他時時自我充實，他指揮手勢頗為考究，不僅接受飯店美姿美儀課程，還自己上網觀摩警察指揮交通的姿態，練就優雅的指揮手勢。他也非常關注時事，練就有如「臉孔辨識機」般的本領，親切問候下車的客人，讓對方又驚又喜，有著賓至如歸的感受。
鄭義揚競競業業、專業自信的工作態度，不僅贏得眾人尊重，更讓人看見門衛這工作的深度和廣度，成就了「金牌門衛」的傳奇！