Farm Work Abroad

For those of you inspired by our episode on Brown's Field in Japan, you might be interested to check out this website for a list of places you could experience farm work.

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/shortterm/farm_jobs_agriculture.shtml

Annecy, France

There is a city outside Paris, by a beautiful name Annecy. Every year in June, it holds the world renowned Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Which, sadly, is also a period you have to avoid planning your holidays there - no hotels would be available as they would all be taken up by the visitors attending the event. It is a very strange place where the old medieval architecture is right smack in the middle of the modern city. That is also the reason it is very poetically enchanting. Peifen and I could attest to that since we both had the chance to see the place last year, on our separate trips.

http://www.lac-annecy.com/index_gb.php

http://www.annecy.org/home/index.php?Page_ID=2

Great Western Market, Bath

This is a picture of the Great Western Market in Bath, England, which I took more than 10 years ago with a vintage camera. Bath is a city 2 hour away from London if you set out by train from the Paddingon Station, which children all over the world (I correct, children in the 90's and earlier) know by its famous Paddington bear, created by Michael Bond. The city has the only hot springs in the whole of Britain and was previously colonised by the Romans, hence the origin of its name. http://www.visitbath.co.uk/

Notting Hill, London

A hip London neighborhood. If you had seen the movie Notting Hill, starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, you would remember being mesmerised by this place. There is a carnival going on every August and it is a huge affair, though it kinda turns the usually quiet town topsy-turvy with its loud bang. If you are headed for London come August, don't forget to put it on your itinerary.

http://www.nottinghillcarnival.biz/

Random Recommendations

Starting from today, I'd like to share with those of you who still visit our blog, some random ideas and places which might be interesting and inspiratonal to you. And especially if you're taken with the obscure and non-mainstream stuffs - I think I might have quite a bit to show you. Some of them are stuffs I own/places I have seen while others I have researched for work/ interest/ possible future visits. Picture here is Pollock's Toy Museum in London. The first time I was in London, I did a research and stayed at a hotel near the museum just so I could visit it everyday.

http://www.pollockstoymuseum.com/

These very cool (and also expensive) accessories made from old typewriter keys were sold in Kurkku, a designer store in Tokyo's Harajuku. http://www.kurkku.jp/

Character People, Character Places

The skateboard artists in Tokyo.

http://www.harvest-re.com/

These belong to our profiles in Taipei.

http://www.wretch.cc/blog/bonnygb

http://blog.sina.com.tw/shan/

Little Pf is a multi-tasker - she flies, eats, reads, listens to music

and dozes off, all at the same time.

Little Pf, Peifen's evil twin

Little Pf was created to document our production journey in drawings. Peifen calls her her evil twin. In other words, she gets to live out her "inner evils" through Little PF. But in this picture, Little PF is harmlessly sitting in the neighborhood of the Tokyo skateboard artists (Episode 7) kindly feeding a stray cat.

Not The Usual

Making So Simple 2 has opened our eyes to many interesting things and places we normally wouldn't have discovered or included in our plans if we were to go on holidays guided by our "trusty" travel books (which mainly introduce the commercial touristy spots and things). The objective of the show led us to dip deeper and search for people who do things a little differently and yet are able to make an impact in our lives. People Tree in Tokyo Jiyugaoka is one of them. http://www.peopletree.co.jp/

Burger Hangout

Months after our return from Tokyo we're still talking about this great burger hangout. We only ate there once and the impression lasted since. Freshness Burger outlets are not as commonly seen in Tokyo as Mos Burger but we managed to find this one in the Harajuku District. It's one of those nondescript, neigborhood looking establishments but the food is good, judging by everyone's feedback. You may want to check out http://www.freshnessburger.co.jp/ for outlet addresses.

Caught the last episode of the repeat telecast of So Simple 1 last Saturday. Did anyone see it too? Nice right? I know, I know, being one of the production team members I shouldn't be saying this myself. But who can help it? I'm so beaming with pride, and humility goes on vacations, everytime I think or talk about the show.

But seriously, if you asked me, what is it about the show I'm so proud about, I tell you, one of the reasons is the fact that we managed to fight hard to pull a show which by industry standard was considered too niche. It was just not that kind of show that started with a commercial intention. We didn't set out to draw a big audience. We knew it wouldn't. But, what's most important is we managed to attract the right one. And that alone is enough to count as the best thing ever for a production.

台北诚品书店

Eslite 诚品 bookstore is easily one of the major attractions of Taipei. I'm sure anyone who's been to Taipei knows about it. For those who don't, our So Simple team strongly recommends the place. The bookstore is not only a delightful haven for booklovers, it also caters to shoppers looking for interesting gifts, stationeries and even fashion, depending on which outlet you go to. For So Simple 2, we visited both 敦南and信义outlets. This one in the picture is 敦南. Though older and smaller, it's not lacking in character and excitement. The other outlet 信义is newer and many times bigger. Yet despite its massive interior, no thoughtful details are spared. The store is amazingly well designed and conducive for booklovers. It is one of the most friendly bookstores I have ever been. The entire store is littered with seats at every corner, and you are even welcome to sit out on the steps. They just want to make you feel comfortable. And like their name in Chinese, they are also very sincere. Due to our busy filming schedules, 诚品turned out to be our favorite hangout whenever we needed to unwind after work. Reason being their late hours. Go check out the details at http://www.poeticlifejourney.blogspot.com/ if you are planning a trip to Taipei.

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." - Albert Eistein

The Poetic Rides

During the making of So Simple 2, we were often on the road, traveling from one destination to another to cover the profiles who stayed in different parts of the cities.

And during many of the those rides, I was always wide awake and compelled to snap pictures of the irresistable views outside. At times, Peifen would oblige me. Or rather, she was daydreaming and lost in her own world, and I would snap some cool pictures of her.

(* Pictures clockwise from left : 1) on our way to Narita airport, leaving Tokyo 2) Peifen looking seriously lost in her own world 3) our first taxi ride from Brown's field to Kitta's cottage 4) Tokyo was drizzling as we headed for Jiyugaoka to film People Tree)

That day in Tokyo, while we were filming So Simple 2, I sat where Peifen is sitting in this picture. The spot was near the treehouse cafe featured in episode 7. It was in a very quiet and simple neighborhood, despite being smack in the middle of the city. The buildings, all not more than 5 storeys tall, were quietly leaning on one another. Looking neighborly, like old friends. The sprightly looking vending machines made passers-by stop in their tracks and take the time to glance over the neighborhood as they waited for their drinks. As I sat there with a can of warm milk tea in my hand, I noticed nothing special nor nothing shouting for attention. Yet, in that state of nothingness, there was a strong feeling of peace and comfort. And in that state of peace and comfort, I was able to see beauty in everything. That beauty which is introverted and diginified. And Tokyo has plenty.

Places We Stayed While Making So Simple 2

Big or small, pricey or budget, all these places we stayed while filming So Simple 2 were a wonderful and unforgettable experience. Many thanks to our supportive sponsors!

Some Fond Memories

You Don't Want To Miss...

the last episode of So Simple. No matter what you plan to do or where to go tomorrow, you have to remember to fit in a date with us at 9.30 or 11.30pm. You won't be disappointed. See you tomorrow!

ps: and thanks for reminding, Diet. Yes there's a re-run for So Simple 1 on Saturdays at 11am.