Have you ever heard of Formosa? Go find the cabinet that says its name, And ask catalog cards to tell you stories of the land. You will know that hundreds of years ago, It was what Taiwan used to be called. It is where I call home, And now you know the way to the beautiful island Where I miss the most. |
Located on the third floor of Gowen Hall, the East Asia Library is the home of Asia Study students and faculties. Interestingly but not surprisingly, you see most of the visitors being Asian. Japanese scholars walk in to check out the latest periodicals or old literatures; Chinese and Korean students sit by the big desks and work on their laptops; Taiwanese students of a Japanese literature class rush in and run down the stairs to get to the classroom that can only be accessed from the EAL. In comparison to other popular libraries, such as Odegaard and Suzzallo, the pace of time in the EAL seems to be slowed down by the thousands-year-old history held in the books that occupy the space. On weekend, you might meet a Chinese grandpa who acts as if he is in the living room of his house. He walks slowly but without hesitation towards the newspaper rack, picks up the second copy of the newspapers, and sits in the closest chair with his legs crossed. He tells me that he has come to the EAL for more than 10 years to read Chinese newspaper of the very same publisher that he used to read every morning when he lived in China. I like how this place brings an individual's past into a living action. Personally, the EAL has been my treasure hunt spot since my first quarter at the UW. I spent most of my time roaming from aisle to aisle, enjoying the surprising encounter with antique books that bring me back to the eras from where they come. The special style of bookbinding and the old material and design of the book allow me to time travel again and again. It is strange yet amazing that I feel like I can truly experience the ancient Chinese life that I've only seen in my high school textbook or in the ancient Chinese drama. The EAL is the place that I can vividly connect to my ethnic history. |
Top: The card catalog, with a pulled-out cabinet tagged Formosa, the old name of Taiwan.
Middle: Book cover with Chinese calligraphy saying "Silver Sparrow." Bottom: Details of a wall decoration. The deer symbolizes longevity and good fortune in Chinese culture. |
wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ– Intellectual House
Pronounced as“wah-sheb-altuh” in the Lushootseed language, this Native American longhouse-style building serves as a community facility and gathering place for UW Native American Community and others. I've seen people come for the lecture or the conference that were hosted in the big conference room. Also, people sometimes stop by and sit at the Gathering Circle that is in front of the building. Right: The model of the building. |
Cafe Allegro
Seattle's oldest cafe house that has served the community over 40 years. It is located in the alley between the Ave and the 15th Ave NE. Right: Shot from the balcony seat of Cafe Allegro. As part of the 47th Annual University District Street Fair, the community play games and doodle in the alley in front of Cafe Allegro. |