四四南村 | Forty-Four South Village

Oct 01, 2014 Apr 01, 2015

During Chinese Civil War, Republic of China (Kuomintang) retreated to Taiwan. The military dependents built villages with basic raw materials as it was intended for temporary stay, nonetheless these villages ended up as permanent settlements.

Forty-Four South Village was one of the military dependents’ village, believed to be built in 1948, preserved for historical purpose. Although only a portion of the village was preserved, it housed a museum that detailed the history, lifestyle, etc. of the military dependents. It is good to know that the museum is entrance-free!

It was a relatively small museum, but I spent a good 2 hours inside the museum and read almost every single display. Aside from the museum, there is a good cafe, Good Cho’s, just few steps away.

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I saw a poem, titled “Home Sick”, at the museum and the poem stuck me.
小时候乡愁是一枚小小的邮票我在这头母亲在那头
长大后乡愁是一张窄窄的船票我在这头新娘在那头
后来啊乡愁是一方矮矮的坟墓我在外头母亲在里头
而现在乡愁是一湾浅浅的海峡我在这头大陆在那头

Loosely translated as:
When I was young, home sick was a small little stamp. I am here, my mother was there.
When I grew up, home sick was a narrow ticket. I am here, my bride was there.
Later, home sick was a short grave. I am outside, my mother lay inside.
Now, home sick is a shallow/superficial line across the strait. I am here, mainland is there.