One of the very special things that Taiwan is known for is the Night Market. There are many to choose from in Taipei City + you can find them all over the island. Whatever you need–a bite to eat, a cell phone case, some eye lashes, a Little Twin Stars folder, a backpack to hold your Little Twin Stars folder, a coat, a bow tie for your dachshund–the night markets have got you covered.

Each night market has its own flavor, but you are guaranteed to leave any one you choose with a full belly + as large of a dent in your wallet as you’re comfortable with! Even I, a student surriously watching her purse-strings, can find plenty of goodies well within budget.

Perhaps the most popular + definitely the most touristy night market in Taipei is Shilin Night Market (士林夜市; pinyin: Shìlín Yèshì). The last time I was here, this is the one I visited. I ate more than my fill for under $5 + bought some little yellow canvas sneakers + a couple pairs of fun leggings. I haven’t been back this time around, but it’s gonna happen… There are some spicy wontons that have had my name on them for the last two and a half years. (O, the dreams I have had about those suckers!)

Located next to National Taiwan Normal University + just a 25 minute walk from my house, the night market I’ve been exploring recently is Shida Night Market. All pics in this post are from this night market! There is a Watson’s Pharmacy along Shida Road, pinned with the blue pin, which is my landmark for entry to the market. I have outlined the market’s general area below. (Disclaimer: this map is in no way meant to be an exact map of the market… My tech skills aren’t that sharp, yet! But it will get you there. 😉 )

My roommate, Shaz, teaches a weekly English class at NTNU, so she goes to Shida Night Market almost as often. Thankfully during my first week here, she invited me to explore it with her. Within moments, I was hooked. Seriously, Asian fashion is where it’s at! I’ve always thought so. (Harajuku Girls, much?!) Right now, style-wise, patterns are the thing + they are everywhere! It is heaven for yours truly, as I try my hardest to wear as many patterns at the same time as I possibly can. (Every single day.)

Granted, once you’ve been in + out of all the boutiques (not that I would know from experience, or anything…) it’s true that you will find many shops with overlapping inventory. I’ll take it.

Homesickness can kiss it. I HAVE ARRIVED! So, now who wants to know,

Why Asia?

While you’re figuring that out, I’ll be chillin’ in my cheetah tights…

just waiting for my opportunity to wear these:

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It was all I could do to contain myself (almost 10 years ago) when Gwen Stefani, my all time favorite pop-star-style-icon, got on the Japanese fashion train, too. She took the words out of my mouth when she said,

You Harajuku Girls, damn you’ve got some wicked style

It’s true, though, that this NYCity chick probably would have substituted, “Madd fly,” or “Bomb a$$,” for, “Wicked.”

I’m not in Tokyo, but I’ll take Taipei any day. + I am not waiting.

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Actualyy…. On that note, I’m headed back to Shida for my NYE outfit. But before I go, I realized that some of you might feel jipped by the music selection after seeing this post’s title. So, if the cah-lassic Ray Charles song is what you were hankering for, check it out in one of my favorite Cosby Show moments ever, BA-BAAAAAAY!