Bare Feet With Mickela Mallozzi

Mickela Mallozzi: [Sniffs] Yeah, I don't smell anything.

I'm a dancer, and I'm a traveler.

And wherever I go, I experience the world one dance at a time.

I'm Mickela Mallozzi, and this is "Bare Feet."

Announcer: "Bare Feet" is supported in part by... Announcer 2: Bloomberg Connects gives you a way to experience the arts from your mobile phone.

You can explore hundreds of cultural organizations from around the world anytime, anywhere.

Learn more at bloombergconnects.org or wherever you find your apps.

Announcer 3: Taiwan, a gateway to the world.

Crossing the continent together with you blossoming in the sky.

China Airlines.

From Taiwan.

Announcer 4: Additional funding was provided by Koo and Patricia Yuen through The Yuen Foundation, committed to bridging cultural differences in our communities.

Announcer 5: And by the Ann H. Symington Foundation.

Mickela: [Speaking in Chinese] Welcome to beautiful Taiwan.

The island of Taiwan sits in the heart of far east Asia with Japan to the northeast, China to the northwest, and the Philippines to the south.

It was named Formosa by Portuguese mariners in the 16th century, as they sighted a pristine, uncharted island calling it "ilha Formosa" or "beautiful island," reflecting its tropical flora, its breathtaking coastline, and its diverse natural landscapes.

Taiwan has a rich history originating with its indigenous inhabitants for thousands of years that's still very much alive today.

Starting in the 17th century, huge migration from the Han Chinese settled on the island, bringing over cultural changes along with diversifying the spiritual makeup of the island, from Chinese folk religion to Taoism and Buddhism.

Taiwan's European influences include Spanish and Dutch settlements from the 17th century, and for 50 years in the 20th century, the Japanese occupied the island until the end of World War II.

I'm here to experience everything that this country has to offer.

And over the span of my entire journey, I begin with learning about Taiwan, past and present.

My first stop here, in the capital city of Taipei, takes me to Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, the most prominent contemporary dance company in the country.

The company's headquarters is located 20 minutes outside of downtown Taipei, in a beautifully repurposed building that was designed to be directly connected to the surrounding nature.

I meet with artistic director Cheng Tsung-Lung and associate artistic director, Lee Ching-Chun, also known as J.J., both of whom are former Cloud Gate company members themselves.

Lee Ching-Chun: The company was established by Mr.

Lin Hwai-min in 1973.

He was thinking how to name this company.

"Cloud Gate" is actually, uh, an ancient ritual dance, back 2000 years ago.

But we did-- We don't know what the dance looked like, but we thought, "Hmm, that would be a good name to open a door, a gate," you know.

Mickela: For over 50 years, Cloud Gate has been a beloved treasure and great source of pride for the Taiwanese people.

In fact, after the contemporary dance company previous location was burned down in 2008 during lunar New Year celebrations, over 4000 people from the general public took it upon themselves to donate towards helping the company find their new home.

The new Cloud Gate Theater, this architectural masterpiece, sits on public land and was designed to incorporate the natural surrounding beauty.

To start, J.J invites me to join in on today's company warm-up class, a combination of Chi Gong and internal martial arts.

Ching-Chun: It is all very gentle.

Like a water is flowing into your joint, a wind... is travelling through your circular path.

And exhale.

In today's class, we only focus on two things.

Mickela: That's it?

Just two things.

Ching-Chun: One is your weight, one is your breath.

Mickela: OK.

Ching-Chun: "Chi" means "breath."

So if you can shift your focus into your breath, you're doing Chi Gong really.

So the breath is the connection of the body and the being.

So, it's so important.

And exhale.

Wonderful.

And breathing in.

The movement appears slow, even still, but, you know, when you are still, you're not still... Mickela: Yeah.

Ching-Chun: Your whole being is activated.

Mickela: Yeah.

Ching-Chun: Can we create a spiral between you and me?

Mickela: Yes.

Ching-Chun: Yeah?

Can you follow me like that?

We're going to walk in a circle, yes.

So the hands are all at the same axis.

Good.

One, one.

Wonderful.

Mickela: When we were in that turn of that connection and that energy, everybody else disappeared in the room to me.

And then, for a second we stopped and I see everyone else is having this little orbital, sort of... Ching-Chun: Planet.

Mickela: Planet systems!

It was incredible.

The energy in the room just changed.

Ching-Chun: It's very pure energy, pure state of mind.

Mickela: Uh-huh.

Ching-Chun: Wonderful.

Mickela: [Exhales] Ching-Chun: Stay.

And open.

And... Mickela: [Exhales] Mickela: No.

Ching-Chun: [Laughs] Mickela: I feel like I'm flying with you.

Ching-Chun: Yes.

So that spiral motion is very magic.

Mickela: Yeah, that was beautiful.

Everything is shaking right now.

Ching-Chun: Everything is shaking.

Both: [Laughing] Man: You need [indistinct] Ching-Chun: A little.

In here.

Mickela: It looks so easy.

Ching-Chun: It looks so easy-- Mickela: It's not.

Ching-Chun: Slow motion is killing.

Mickela: Oh, my God.

Ching-Chun: It's killing.

Mickela: I don't need that coffee right now because I have so much energy from oxygen, from breath, from my blood flowing in my body.

Thank you.

Thank you.

[Shivers] [Laughing] Mickela: Cheng Tsung-Lung and J.J.

invite me to sit in on today's rehearsal with the company to learn an excerpt from one of his repertoire pieces "13 Tongues" choreographed by Cheng Tsung-Lung.

Cheng Tsung-Lung: [Speaking in Chinese] Mickela: I'm nervous I'm nervous What should I think about as I'm learning this?

Tsung-Lung: You see, your first force into the floor.

Mickela: First, force into the floor, yeah.

Tsung-Lung: Into the floor.

[Stomping] And then take the response from the floor to your body.

Here.

This line.

And then... Yes!

Yes.

Mickela: Mmm.

Tsung-Lung: And try to move... Yeah.

Mickela: [Laughs] [Laughing] Mickela: [Laughs] Like a whip.

Like a whip.

Yeah.

Tsung-Lung: 5, 6, 7, 8.

One, two, three... Forward!

[Speaking in Chinese] Both: [Speaking in Chinese] Mickela: 8.

OK.

I want to get to this part, like... [Grunts] All: [Laughing] Mickela: That's what I want.

Tsung-Lung: [Speaking Chinese] Mickela: One, two, three.

One, two, three.

Man: Sorry, sorry.

My fault.

Mickela: It's OK.

I'm still going.

[Laughing] Tsung-Lung: 5, 6, 7.

One, two, three.

5, 6, 7.

Mickela: OK!

Ching-Chun: You were wonderful.

Mickela: I love the choreography.

It's beautiful.

Don't clap.

Not yet, not yet, not yet.

Tsung-Lung: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Ching-Chun: This culture has a very ancient culture.

If we don't use it, it's such a waste.

So we're always thinking how to dig.

We dig here, we find something.

We dig there... So choreographer as--as well from their life, from literature, from history.

And you think how to bring the ancient to the contemporary.

Tsung-Lung: 8.

Up!

Right.

Yeah!

Yeah!

Same thing!

[Cheering] Mickela: Thank you!

Come here, come here, come here.

Thank you so much!

Taiwan is also known as a foodie's heaven.

So for my next stop, I head to one of the most famous night markets in Taipei, the Raohe Night Market.

My guide for tonight's food adventure is my dear friend and Taipei local, Minnie Gao.

Minnie Gao: This is Raohe Night Market, and this is where I grew up.

Mickela: Wow!

Minnie: This night market is half mile long.

Mickela: Half a mile long?

Minnie: It's endless food.

Mickela: Yeah.

Minnie: And drinks.

It has, like, over 400 vendors.

Mickela: Oh, my gosh.

The gates to the Raohe Night Market are steps away from one of the most ornate temples in Taipei: the Songshan Ciyou Temple, dedicated to the Taiwanese folk goddess of the sea, Mazu.

It's amazing that this beautiful temple is right here, at the entrance.

Minnie: Yes, so this temple has, like, 5 floors.

Mickela: Oh, my gosh.

Minnie: And it is so beautiful.

Mickela: Wow.

Minnie: Yes.

Are you ready for this food heaven tour?

Mickela: I am ready for a food heaven tour, Minnie.

There's so many options.

Minnie: Even as a local, people who live right next to it... Mickela: Uh-huh.

Minnie: You have to come back, like, every weekend because you always see something new.

Mickela: Oh, it's amazing.

Minnie: And you try something new.

And I know lots of people come to Taiwan for culture, for nature, for every-- But food is the core... Mickela: The core, the-- the mission.

Minnie: The core mission [indistinct] to come back to Taiwan.

Mickela: I love it.

Minnie: This is one of the most popular vendors.

They use a very traditional way to cook pork pepper bun.

Mickela: It's like stuck on the side of the wall.

Minnie: Yes, yes, yes.

Mickela: Oh, that's so cool.

Minnie: See, like a pork bum [indistinct] Mickela: [Laughs] Minnie: Smell that?

Mickela: My gosh.

Oh, my gosh.

Minnie: This is my favorite since I was a little kid.

Mickela: Mmm!

Minnie: Oh, my gosh!

So good!

Mickela: So good!

Minnie: You like it?

Mickela: I love it.

Minnie: I know.

I also love it.

Mickela: So you've been eating this since you were a little kid?

Minnie: Yeah, since I was little.

I grew up right here.

Mickela: This is amazing.

Minnie: See?

This is how I got chubby.

How can you not be chubby if you go out right next to these night markets?

This is one of my favorite vendors.

This place we call "Hot Ice Tangyuan."

Mickela: Hot Ice Tangyuan.

Minnie: Tangyuan.

That's good.

Mickela: Tangyuan.

Minnie: Tangyuan.

So the Tangyuan is hot, as you can see.

Mickela: Those are the Tangyuan.

Minnie: Yeah, but they're gonna put a ball of ice, so we get the two different kinds of feelings.

The Tangyuan is hot, but they got ice.

Oh, it's cold.

So it's-- you know, like intense in-- in your mouth.

Mickela: Ooh, I love it.

Mmm!

Mmm!

Minnie: You see the...?

Mickela: Mmm!

Minnie: Oh, my God.

It's so great.

Papaya milk.

In Taiwan, we cut the papaya and add the milk and we blend it.

So it's papaya... Yeah, of course, it's papaya.

Mickela: [Laughs] It sounds delicious.

Both: One, two, three!

Mickela: Yay!

Cheers!

Minnie: Cheers.

Mickela: Mmm!

Minnie: Is it good?

Mickela: It's like ice cream.

Minnie: Yeah, exactly.

Mickela: [Speaking in Chinese] It's very good.

It's like ice cream.

Minnie: Yes.

Mickela: Minnie, this has been such a food adventure.

Minnie: I know.

Mickela: Thank you so much.

Minnie: This is food heaven.

Like I told you.

Mickela: It is food heaven.

Minnie: I didn't lie.

I ain't bluffing.

Food is the-- the most direct way for you to experience the local culture and connect with the local people.

So it's just home to me.

Mickela: From the bustling capital city of Taipei, we make our way south on high speed rail continuing with a drive to the Alishan mountains and ending on a century-old steam train.

Finally arriving to our destination: the Alishan Forest.

These thousand-year-old red cypress trees were logged almost to extinction when Taiwan was occupied by the Japanese for 50 years, ending in 1945.

This area is now environmentally protected by the local government and these trees are seen as sacred and divine.

The Alishan Forest and its red cypress trees are gently protected by nature as well, with a breathtaking daily afternoon cloud cover.

The peacefulness of Alishan, and its unique microclimate also create the perfect environment for growing tea.

To learn more about Taiwan's famous plant, I head to Rain Tea, a family-owned tea plantation nestled in the Alishan mountains.

I meet with Erin Hang, award-winning tea master.

He and his family have owned and worked these tea fields for decades.

So these are tea bushes, huh?

Erin Hang: Yeah.

Mickela: Oh, my gosh.

Erin: We've grown tea for almost 30 years.

Mickela: Wow!

Erin: Yeah.

Mickela: I'm expecting to smell something And I don't-- I don't really smell anything.

Maybe it's-- my nose isn't refined enough.

Erin: After the tea leaves undergo our specific standards, you can smell fantastic aroma later.

Mickela: So how do you know which tea leaves to pick?

Erin: So we focus on one tip and two leaves or 3 leaves only.

Mickela: One tip and two leaves.

So this one would be a good one, right?

Erin: Yeah, correct.

Mickela: Show me.

Oh, OK.

Oooh, yeah!

Erin: Here.

We harvest in March and winter tea in November.

Mickela: Oh, so it's different teas.

Erin: Yeah, different tea.

Mickela: But the same plant.

Erin: Yeah.

Mickela: For some reason, I don't know why I thought a different tea was a different plant... Erin: Oh.

Mickela: ...but it's not.

You are a tea master.

What does that mean?

Erin: We use the tea to make people calm and focus on the... mindfulness and try to use-- enhance the quality of their life just by tea.

We harvest the tea yesterday to make it soft so today we can roll the tea.

Mickela: Roll the tea.

OK, so I'm gonna follow you, Erin.

Erin: OK.

Just use both of your hands.

Mickela: OK.

Erin: Like this.

And then make a ball.

Mickela: Make a ball.

Erin: And roll.

Mickela: Oh, OK.

This is so relaxing.

Erin: This will take almost... more than one hour to do all of them.

Mickela: You have to do this for an hour.

Erin: Yeah.

Mickela: Does anything change with the...?

Erin: Yeah.

Mickela: Oh, there-- there... Now-- Now it starts to smell like tea.

Erin: Yeah.

Mickela: Oh, my gosh.

It really does.

It's like a greener... fresher tea smell.

Erin: Do you want to try some tea here?

Mickela: I would love to drink some of your tea.

After--After massaging this tea, I would love to drink some.

Erin: Of course.

Mickela: Mmm.

Mmm.

It's so-- Like gentle.

It's a gentle... Erin: Gentle.

And you can smell a little bit floral or the passion fruit flavor.

Mickela: Uh-huh.

My last stop takes me right outside of Taitung City.

I was graciously invited to dance with the Bulareyaung Dance Company, a professional contemporary dance company founded by indigenous dancer and choreographer from the Paiwan tribe, Bulareyaung Pagarlava.

After years of performing and choreographing for major dance companies around the world including Cloud Gate and the Martha Graham Dance Company, Bula decided to return to his hometown in Taiwan to build a dance company of his own, empowering his own community.

Hello!

Hi.

All: Hi!

Mickela: [Laughs] All: [Singing tribal chant] Mickela: Bula's company members all identify as indigenous, coming from various tribes throughout Taiwan.

Much like Bula's choreography, the company's warmup is also built on indigenous practice of singing, chanting and moving together outside in nature.

All: [Singing tribal chant] [Speaking in Chinese] Bulareyaung Pagarlava: Great job.

Mickela: That's just the warmup?

Bulareyaung: Yes.

Mickela: That's just the warm-up?

[Distant tribal chant] Mickela: I want to know why the rubber boots.

Bulareyaung: I think we have to go back to 2006, which is then that this typhoon came to Taitung.

That almost destroyed the whole city, but of course, here, the studio, the rooftop was off.

Flooding here.

Mickela: It flooded all in here.

Bulareyaung: All here.

Mickela: Wow.

Bulareyaung: So dancers cleaning every day, and I got the idea, why we just use this element in this piece?

All: [Singing tribal chant] Mickela: The indigenous practice of singing is a big part of the company's repertoire, and most of these dancers had no dance training prior to joining Bula's company.

All: [Singing tribal chant] Mickela: What is the goal of the company?

Bulareyaung: That we be a-- a platform for the young generations who have a dream to want to be a dancer.

As a parent, of course, they hope their kids have a good education.

Mickela: Of course.

Bulareyaung: Maybe be a teacher, a soldier, or whatever.

But not a dancer.

My father, the first time I went back to my community to perform... One of my friends sitting beside my father, and she said my father was crying.

So I said, "No, no, that is impossible" because he's like, you know, maybe the tears is the... I don't know.

Mickela: Yeah.

Bulareyaung: I don't know.

Mickela: I'm-- I'm all... [Laughs] That's beautiful.

No, he's proud of you.

Bulareyaung: I hope so.

Mickela: Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

But also you showed him this is what a dancer is.

[Sings tribal chant] Mickela: It seems like everybody had their time to shine of who they are, their personality, with voguing and waacking and breakdancing and singing, and-- and push-ups and working out.

Bulareyaung: Every dancer, they come from a different background, a different tribe.

Mickela: Yeah.

Bulareyaung: We are all here to shine their own personality and skill.

Mickela: Yeah.

[Singing tribal chant] Mickela: I want to dance with you, guys.

I can't-- Look, I'm old now, OK?

I can't do the... Bulareyaung: How old are you?

20, 24?

Mickela: Oh, bless your heart.

[Singing tribal chant] Bulareyaung: In Taiwan, we have 16 different tribes, we have over 700 different indigenous communities.

We're singing together to support each other.

[Cheering] [Singing tribal chant] Mickela: Whenever I dance with a group, I'm learning a dance.

But what I learnt today was just to be myself.

Bulareyaung: Yes.

Mickela: Which is harder, I think.

For me, to just go free?

I felt so alive with all of you.

[Singing tribal chant] From Taiwan's ancient past to its contemporary future and to everything in between, this beautiful island, "ilha Formosa," has so many different stories to share with the world.

And that's why this is just the beginning of my time here in Taiwan.

All: [Singing tribal chant] Mickela: And I'll see you on my next bare feet adventure, wherever they take me.

All: [Singing tribal chant] Announcer: You can stay connected with us at travelbarefeet.com where you'll find extra bonus videos, join our barefeet serious conversations through social media and stay updated with our newsletter.

Mickela: [Speaks Chinese] Ah!

Minnie: Let's do butt bumps.

Butt bumps.

Butt bumps.

Butt bumps.

[Laughing] Minnie: That's the entrance of the night market and the... [Indistinct shouting] [Laughing] Announcer: "Bare Feet" is supported in part by... Announcer 2: Bloomberg Connects gives you a way to experience the arts from your mobile phone.

You can explore hundreds of cultural organizations from around the world anytime, anywhere.

Learn more at bloombergconnects.org or wherever you find your apps.

Announcer 3: Taiwan, a gateway to the world.

Crossing the continent together with you blossoming in the sky.

China Airlines.

From Taiwan.

Announcer 4: Additional funding was provided by Koo and Patricia Yuen through The Yuen Foundation, committed to bridging cultural differences in our communities.

Announcer 5: And by the Ann H. Symington Foundation.

[Baby talk]