Rediscovering Military Dependents’ Villages: A Taste of Slow Living

Amengin Foreign Trading Company/Photo by Carter

【◎Written by Winnie　◎Translation by Lin Yu-ciao　◎Photos by Carter】

Stepping into Kaohsiung’s military dependents’ villages reveals the tranquil and charming transformation these historic communities have undergone.

※Amengin Foreign Trading Company（梅琴洋行）

The owner’s fond family memories of living in a traditional siheyuan (courtyard house) sparked her deep appreciation for old military village homes. The name "Amengin" is a creative combination of “Amen” and “Gin” that resembles the English word “amazing.” It also draws inspiration from the biblical story of turning water into wine, symbolizing a blessing for the revitalization of old houses into new business ventures.

Photo by Carter

Amengin Foreign Trading Company FB：

https://www.facebook.com/amengin1122/?locale=zh_TW

※Shujuanwei Books & Café（書眷味 Books & Café）

The Chinese name of the store cleverly merges the themes of books and military dependents’ villages, creating a nostalgic connection between secondhand bookstores and the cultural heritage of such communities. Inside, a friendly golden retriever named Mengmeng, affectionately called the store’s “book assistant,” welcomes visitors. The owner, a dog lover, has even curated an entire bookshelf dedicated to pet-related literature. This pet-friendly space warmly invites visitors to bring along their furry companions.

Shujuanwei Books & Café / Photo by Carter

Photo by Carter

https://www.facebook.com/bookishcafe88/

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