Continuing with the movie theatre from yesterday. Here is another sign for the Fuhe Theatre, with the stairs that lead up to it. However today I'm not going to talk about the theatre, What is more interesting is the top sign. The top sign is for a small temple on the second floor.
While the temple is still there, what used to be along with it was a big indoor market. This market closed down more than a decade ago, and this is where it's story becomes interesting. The market area has now become a makeshift village for homeless families.
They have taken found wood and brought it in to build rows of tiny rooms for themselves. Some of these rooms are quite well built, while others look like they could collapse at any moment. A few of the "luckier" families have taken over the rooms that formally were shops and continue to have electricity. I don't have any picture as most of the area is almost pitch dark, and personally, I don't feel too comfortable taking pictures of people's desolation.
You may have mentioned that I've used the word "families" a few times now. This is one of the more unique things about this location, in that families live there. Having been there a few times now, I've seen very young children, all the way to high school age. It was eye opening as most of the homeless you normally see around the city are older men. It's a stark reminder that you can't "see" homelessness. Many of the people there seem in good spirits though, the children playing with each other, while the adults chat.
I am very fascinated by this place and how it came to be. I mentioned a few days ago about Treasure Hill and the homeless community that lived there. I have a small hunch that perhaps some of those former residents came to this market to make a new place to live. Especially since they are very close in location.
I have been here a few times, and my goal is to one day be able to learn more about it. And speaking of Taiwanese cinema, one eventual goal I am thinking about is making a documentary about homeless communities like this and like treasure hill, and how forgotten people are living in forgotten places. And yet their communities are a continued evolution of tradition Taiwanese culture and values, while the rest of Taiwan is becoming more isolated from each other.
