An Unforgettable First Love – Kaohsiung / 令人回味的初戀──高雄
An Unforgettable First Love - Kaohsiung
Text by Sandra Ou Photos by Pao Jung-hui & Kao Chia-tse
Mr. Makita worked in Kaohsiung 34 years ago before moving on to work in no less than 10 countries including Poland, Singapore, Iraq, Hong Kong and China. Mr. Makita, Director of Interchange Association (Japan) - Kaohsiung Office, has always wanted to come back to Kaohsiung, stating, "It is my honor to be back!"
Director Makita sums up his feelings about Kaohsiung beautifully, describing the city as unforgettable, just like one's first love. When he returned to Kaohsiung last September, he felt strongly that the economy of Kaohsiung had improved incredibly and the city had become more modern.
Love River and Kaohsiung Port were the two places that impressed him the most. Director Makita and his wife experienced the much talked about friendly and warm-hearted nature of the Kaohsiung locals, especially when many elderly citizens were able to converse with them in Japanese. While asked about the local cuisine in Kaohsiung, Director Makita happily admitted that he is a big fan of seafood, so given the prime location of Kaohsiung (by the ocean) and the stable weather, he likes the fact that he can find a variety of delicious and fresh ingredients. Mr. Makita has worked in many places around the world, but still openly said, "I really like Kaohsiung!"
When Mr. Makita's not working, he and his wife like to go for walks by the beach or a cup of coffee by Love River. Apart from that, he sometimes goes to KTV with friends, and being fluent in Japanese, English and Chinese, allows him to appreciate Chinese music. He likes Ms. Deng Li-Jun's songs very much and he often sings her songs at KTV. Although Director Makita has only been back in office for less than 6 months, he has already been to Chaishan, the Urban Spotlight, Fisherman's Wharf and the British Consulate at Takao. He said, the new look of these places as well as the construction has made Kaohsiung more beautiful.
Director Makita stated that there were a few worldly catastrophes last year and as a new year's wish, he hopes the world can be more peaceful. He also said, Japanese people who are staying in Taiwan should show more initiation in mixing with Taiwanese people to get into the "local lifestyle". Worthwhile mentioning is the fact that this year (2005) marks the 60th year since World War II, raising the issue that Director Makita hopes by this history (the memorial of world war II) Japanese and Taiwanese cultural exchange can be enhanced. 令人回味的初戀──高雄 文／歐陽萱 攝影／鮑忠暉、高嘉澤 34年前曾經在高雄服務的蒔田恭雄先生，陸續到世界各地包括波蘭、新加坡、伊拉克、香港及中國等10個國家服務，而一直希望能再回到高雄。如今，「很高興能光榮地回來了！」日本交流協會高雄事務所所長蒔田恭雄先生如是說。 蒔田所長形容高雄就如同初戀情人一般地令人回味！去年九月到任，再度見到高雄時，他深深感受到高雄的經濟繁榮了，市容也變得時髦。尤其是著名的愛河以及陸續對外開放後的高雄港，更令他印象深刻。蒔田所長及夫人也深刻感受到高雄市民濃濃的人情味和熱情又親切的對待，特別是許多長輩們都會用日文主動和他們交談。而談到食物時，喜愛海鮮的蒔田所長高興的說，高雄靠港，氣候又非常好，各式各樣的食材都容易取得，不僅好吃而且新鮮。在世界多國服務過，蒔田所長表示「真的很喜歡高雄！」。在忙碌之餘，蒔田所長和夫人喜歡到海邊或愛河邊散步、喝咖啡。有時則會和朋友一起到ＫＴＶ唱歌，精通日、英、中三種語言的他說，鄧麗君小姐的歌是他最常唱的中文曲目。雖然到任未滿半年，蒔田所長走遍了柴山、城市光廊、漁人碼頭及打狗英國領事館，他說，這些景點的建設讓高雄更美了！ 蒔田所長表示，由於去年的災難帶給許多人不幸，新年的期許是希望2005年的世界能比較平順。蒔田所長還說，在台灣的日本人應更努力主動和台灣人多交流，以融入當地人的生活。值得一提的是，今年是第二次世界大戰後的第60年紀念，希望能藉此進一步推動日、台之間人物和文化交流。 |