A Taste of Soup Noodle in Luzhou

2016 Lu Jiang Cyberfair Team finally was established on the day. Our members include three teachers and seven students at the sixth grade from different classes. We joined the team with curiosity and courage to take challenges. When we had heard the experiences of many senior schoolmates, it seemed not an easy task. But we were not worried about that because we expected more about the good works we could complete.

2015 Luzhou Deity Culture and Soup Noodle Carnival

The carnival finally came. From our first gathering and first printing of reports to data searching, though tired and hard, we overcame them all! "Luzhou Deity Culture and Soup Noodle Carnival" was our first field survey. We needed to interview many people during the carnival today. We met some drawback while thinking about the interview questions. With the guidance and correction of our teachers, we finished the questions. Many people attended the Soup Noodle Carnival. As this was our first interview, we were a bit nervous. We were rejected by some people, but my teachers said that was common. We overcame many difficulties and completed the report successfully. Though tired, I was happy that we had many experiences and rewards through our first activity. And we had delicious Soup Noodle. I hope that I will not be so nervous and can finish the next interview smoothly based on this experience.

We went to Asan Soup Noodle Shop to conduct an interview. When we just stepped into the shop, Mr. Chen, the shop owner welcomed us warmly. He also answered our questions friendly. It seemed that the decoration and furnishings with antique beauty of the shop took us to the past. Even tables and chairs were carefully selected by the owner. The name of the shop, Asan, followed the name of Mr. Chen's father's Mr. Yi-san Chen. Very meaningful.

Soup Noodle shops have different names with, of course, different meaning, which shows the diversity of history and culture. Mr. Chen started with the explanation of the origin of Soup Noodle. He also explained the place where Soup Noodle thrived and the reason of moving to Luzhou. I asked, "Generally, when we eat Soup Noodle, there will be appetizers. What are the special appetizers of your shop? What are most recommended by you?" Mr. Chen said, "Streaky pork is the best to match with Soup Noodle because of its good taste. Smoked salmon is also good." Because I was fond of good food, my mouth was watering on hearing it. My teacher asked, "Soup Noodle gradually declines now. Why could Soup Noodle vigorously develop in the past?" Mr. Chen replied, "Because in the past there were only a few types of snacks, most people would eat Soup Noodle. People felt it popular. Now, food culture is diversified, so most people gradually forget Soup Noodle." Wow! I had never thought about such a question, but it provoked my interest. I really needed to prepared information and questions more carefully so that I could truly understand the real significance of visits and interviews, explore the topic, and learn more!

An Special Interview with Mr. Lian-fu Yang  of Luzhou Museum

Today we went to interview Mr. Lian-fu Yang of Luzhou Museum. Before we arrived at the museum, we could see its decoration with antique beauty. It looked small, but after you stepped inside, you would find that it contained four halls. When we entered the first one, it looked as if paradise. And we saw scenes which never appeared in the city. We went into the fourth hall keeping the data of traditional culture of Luzhou. Before our visit, we had prepared many questions to ask Mr. Yang. When he came, Yi-hsueh took charge to make introduction and asked the first question. Though we only asked one question, Mr. Yang explained all the things. He said, “Soup Noodle was spread from Fujian to Luzhou. Luzhou Soup Noodle was closely related to Yonglian Temple. The most traditional Soup Noodle originally was developed from there. I am a bit disappointed that the taste is not as traditional as that of the past. I want to hold more activities to inherit Soup Noodle. I hope you can help." I was touched on hearing Mr. Yang's words. He devoted to Luzhou and made contribution to Soup Noodle silently. Our Cyberfair Project Team should learn from him. We should exert all our efforts to make Soup Noodle a well known delicacy in Taiwan. Due to the limit of time, we could not hear him finish his explanation. Next time, we would come again to listen to his knowledge and experiences.

Campus Promotion

In our school, during Tuesday noon breaks, there are small announcers who will broadcast programs. The announcers are composed of the students of Municipal Service Team. It was An-peng (my partner) and I to broadcast this time. With this opportunity, we would introduce our "Cyberfair" project.

Although we had broadcasted many times, I was still nervous and afraid to make errors. After all, all the teachers and students were listening. How embarrassing it was to make a mistake. Fortunately, it was smooth this time without mistakes. Our program attracted the attention of many. Some students of my mom (who is a teacher of our school) asked their mom to buy Soup Noodle. Our promotion had good results. Prize Quiz was also wonderful. Everyone described Soup Noodle so vividly that it made others' mouths water. Both An-peng and I were happy to see the many responses to our Prize Quiz from our schoolmates. It was difficult to prepare the program and we finished it with empty stomach and fear of making mistakes. We even sweated while broadcasting in the cold winter. However, our efforts were not wasted. Our teachers praised that it was the best broadcasting program. How great it was as we could share the culture and history of Soup Noodle with everyone!

The broadcasting experience was good. Next time, if I have an opportunity, I must write about the culture of Luzhou because it is so interesting! I must break through this experience and "be the best" again next time.

Campus Promotion

We am very pleased to participate in this activity. We have rehearsed with all our efforts for the presentation. Our booth was on the 5F of Lu Jiang Building. As I stepped inside the hall, I found it filled with audience watching the lively performances.

First, we posted our poster showing the features of Soup Noodle on a board. Then, we tried to be brave gradually to attract the attention of more people.

Although at first no one came to listen to our explanation, we all felt a little disappointed, we did not give up. We still cherished hope in our hearts.

Later Teacher Mei-tzu Li came to listen to our explanation and answered our questions with junior students of the third grade. We mainly introduced that the soup of Soup Noodle was stewed with pork bones. And the al dente noodles were made by oil noodles by hands, which looked yummy.

They answered our questions carefully each time. Certainly, we needed to thank them for joining us. We gave one biscuit to each of them as a gift. Through the activity, we introduced Soup Noodle to more people. Though the "more people" were not many, Rome was not built in a day. Success required the cooperation and efforts of everyone.

Campus Promotion

Today we needed to do classroom promotion. Yi-hsueh Li and I had prepared for a long time. It finally came to our turns. The class where we would make promotion was Class Five, Grade Six which was our own class. Since there were students in the class who participate in the Cyberfair project, there was no reason for the rest of the class to have no idea about the topic. Our class was our first stop. We adopted "Prize Quiz" which was effective to the students of grades one and two and also to six. Because it was our own class, we were not nervous. It would not be as difficult as Presentation of the Achievements of Associations. Come on!

The cooperation between Yi-hsueh Li and I was seamless. We had delivered the speech previously in a third grade classroom. This time, our class listened attentively. It seemed that they all understood. Of course, we needed to check their knowledge acquisition after our speech by Prize Quiz. For the first question, almost all the students in the classroom raised their hands. These students of the sixth grade were super active. I was extremely happy. As the old saying goes, "Ten minutes on stage requires ten years of practice." Though it was not as long as ten years, we did practice for a long time. Our efforts were not wasted. One of the question was "Can you describe you experience of having Soup Noodle in a shop?" Our audiences were sixth grade students, so they could not reply by just three words "It is yummy." We picked one boy to answer the question who was the Chinese genius in our class. He used many idioms to describe the good taste of Soup Noodle. Though I could not understand some of the idioms, his description made me hungry and mouth watering. He was worthy of the title of Chinese genius! Our speech finished with the applauses of our audiences.

This promotion activity boosted my courage and willingness to go around to make promotion and share knowledge with others. It felt so good. I hope that next time I can have more opportunities to do so.

An Special Interview with Former Mayor of Luzhou City ~

Today we needed to interview Ms. Yueh-e Li Weng, the City Councilor. The trip was not far away. When I stepped into Ms. Li Weng's Service Office, I saw two big and bright posters and a busy crowd. Ms. Li Weng warmly greeted to start the interview. She specially prepared warm water and three or four boxes of puffs for us. Although the atmosphere at the beginning was a bit stiff, with Ms. Li Weng's explanation, we slowly blended ourselves in. Ms. Li mentioned that after she became the mayor in 2002, she not only exerted her efforts to promote the local culture of Luzhou, but also combined Deity Culture with Soup Noodle Carnival to develop a unique flavor. Previously, Ms. Li Weng had held a one-day trip in Luzhou to make more people aware of the features and beauty of Luzhou. I asked Ms. Li Weng that what the influence of Soup Noodle Carnival on Luzhou was. Ms. Li Weng explained slowly that, after the promotion of Luzhou culture to the outside, it had not only attracted more visitors to visit the "Forbidden City" in Luzhou or enjoy Soup Noodle, but also brought about many financial incomes to tourism. Due to the lack of funds, Ms. Li Weng stopped the activity of one-day trip in Luzhou. But if there were enough funds in the future, she would hold the activity to unite the local residents and develop Luzhou tourism. Through the special interview, we not only learned more about Luzhou culture, but also the concerns of Ms. Li Weng on Luzhou. I believe that she devoted a lot. I admire her serious and responsible attitude. She planned Luzhou well. And her promotion of Soup Noodle culture was very successful. Thus, we should cherish Luzhou!

During the noon today, we would go to Tienting Soup Noodle Shop and Damiaokou Soup Noodle Shop to carry out questionnaire surveys.
Because it was lunch time, customers came and went fast. We were divided into 2 groups by our teachers, one consisting of the students of Class Five (distributing questionnaires at Tienting Soup Noodle Shop), and the other, the students of Class Fifteen (distributing questionnaires at Damiaokou Soup Noodle Shop). Stepping into the shop, our eyes were full of customers. Every table was full. So many people! That was great because we could distribute our questionnaires quickly. I had about ten copies and gave them quickly to customers. Watching them carefully answer the questions, I was very happy and grateful as they spent their time to help us complete the task. Their comments were full of praise like "Satisfied" or "Very satisfied". Tienting Soup Noodle is worthy of the title of the most famous Soup Noodle shop in Luzhou!

At 2 o'clock this afternoon, we would go to Damiaokou Soup Noodle Shop to make an interview and experience how to cook Soup Noodle. Mr. Chou wanted us to experience the fun of cooking Soup Noodle by ourselves, so Wen-ning Wu and I followed Mr. Li to the stove. First, Mr. Li demonstrated once to us. Then, we followed him to cook once. First, we needed to grasp an appropriate amount of noodles out from a bucket according to the size of our palms. Then, we filled half of the bamboo colander with bean sprouts and shook them together with the noodles up and down in boiling water. The action would produce the sound of "chhek-chhek-chhek". While the noodles were in the boiling water, we must keep our hands turning and shaking so that the noodles would become soft and al dente. When the noodles were medium well, they would swim back to the colander. Then, we got then out and put in a bowl together with bean sprouts. Then, we added a tablespoon of secret sauce, shallot, and oil. It was extremely important to fill 90% of the bowl. Finally, a bowl of sweet-smelling Soup Noodle was completed. Our first time of cooking Soup Noodle by our own hands was wonderful! I only cooked noodles twice, one at home, and the other here. I was surprised to find that cooking Soup Noodle contained much knowledge and skills, such as the control of heat, the power while shaking the noodles, and the amount of noodles and bean sprouts. Moreover, it was hard that one needed to cooking noodles while serving customers. Sometimes, the hot air blew to our faces directly, so we could hardly see anything. How difficult it was to run a Soup Noodle shop!

A Briefing to Soup Noodle Map

Finally, we made a briefing to "Soup Noodle Map". The 3D Soup Noodle Map was placed in the anteroom of our school because that was the most lively place. After class, many students and teachers would pass by it, so the map there would certainly attract the attention of many. Our purpose was to let all the students of the school to have a look at the map so as to provoke their curiosity and their motivation to know the relevant information of Soup Noodle. We were surprised to find that it attracted many teachers and students. Some even asked the other to have a look. In addition, during the break, our team members introduced to them on site. Teachers, students, or even parents actively interacted with our team members. We became more and more vigorous and confident while explaining.

Since my participation in the Cyberfair project, I realized that some people treated (culture) with negligence. But those who showed their milk of human kindness to culture were truly great. Do you know how many important matters are embedded in (culture)? Through the Cyberfair project, we got answers. For example, Mr. Chen, the owner of Asan Soup Noodle Shop, not only told us all the things he knew about Soup Noodle, big and small, but almost explained in detail and with a smile. From the words of Mr. Chen, I could tell that his efforts and devotion to Soup Noodle culture. I'd like to extend my thanks to Mr. Chen for giving us the opportunity to interview you so that we could learn the valuable knowledge. Our interviewees also included Mr. Chou, the owner of Damiaokou Soup Noodle Shop, Mr. Lian-fu Yang of Luzhou Museum, and Ms. Yueh-e Li Weng, the loving City Councilor, and so on. Through the interviews with them, we could understand their feelings and viewpoints of Soup Noodle culture. I think this is the intention of conducting a Cyberfair project. Only through constant inquiry could one have the best performance. Finally, I would like to thank all the people who love the culture of Luzhou. Without your support, Luzhou culture could not be inherited.