漫步聖誕打卡點 / Strolling through the Christmas photo spots

十二月的台北，空氣裡開始瀰漫著些許濕涼的氣味，身處在亞熱帶的城市，雖然沒有雪花飄落，但城市仍會在這段時間悄悄轉換成另一種姿態，街頭上的百貨櫥窗裡早已擺滿聖誕限定的飾品，以深綠、金色和紅色為主調的花圈，手工製作的薑餅人，還有掛滿小燈泡的樹，常常可以在各大市集中見到，而各大百貨商場都在比拚著誰的聖誕樹更高、誰的燈海更絢爛。

但是，我和大部份的人一樣，平日都過著兩點一線的生活，每天的生活都是公司和家裡往返，只有週末時，才有空到處晃晃，某夜，和久未碰面的朋友們聚餐後，突然心血來潮，我趁著酒意，決定繞去知名的聖誕打卡點看看，感受一下聖誕氣氛。

從台北101開始，我找到了《玩具總動員》的胡迪、巴斯光年、三眼怪等打卡點，雖然已經是晚上八點多，在打卡區流連的人們還是很多，人們一個接一個地排隊，上去打卡及拍照，《玩具總動員》星際奇幻光廊吸引了最多路人的目光，對許多人而言，聖誕節來光廊拍照已成為一種儀式，可以見到情侶則在燈串下嘗試比心拍照，朋友們互相調整角度、幫對方拍下吸睛的IG美照。

而聖誕樹更是節慶的重頭戲，無論是商場前的巨型聖誕樹，還是商場內充滿設計感的裝飾樹，都成為人潮聚集的焦點，我也特地去看看新光三越台北信義新天地的聖誕樹，今年的是20米高的白金聖誕樹，如同以往，在特定時間，會有音樂加上燈光秀演出，當音樂的旋律響起，周圍的人群會像默契般自動靜下來，眼神全部被吸引到樹身上，人們若沒拍照發在限動或貼文上，就像沒來過一樣。

沒想到在各知名打卡點，還有機會看到穿著華麗的女生，讓裙擺和長髮自然擺動，而使用專業器材的攝影師在捕捉每一個動態瞬間，看來是場外拍活動，他們打算利用這期間限定的節慶場景，拍出帶有溫度與故事感的街拍，因為隔天還要上班，我只能匆匆地穿過這些打卡區，希望能早點回家梳洗了。

In December, the air in Taipei starts to carry a slightly chilly, damp feeling. Living in a subtropical city, there’s no snow falling, but the city quietly transforms into a different vibe during this time. The windows of department stores are already filled with Christmas-themed decorations: wreaths in deep green, gold, and red, handmade gingerbread men, and trees covered with tiny lights. You can often spot them at various city markets, and every major department store competes to see whose Christmas tree is the tallest and whose light display is the most dazzling.

But like most people, my weekdays are just a routine of going back and forth between the office and home. Only on weekends do I have the time to wander around. One night, after having dinner with some friends I hadn’t seen in a while, I suddenly got the idea—spurred by a bit of alcohol—to swing by a famous Christmas photo spot and soak up some holiday vibes.

Starting from Taipei 101, I found the Toy Story-themed photo spots with Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the little green aliens. Even though it was already past eight in the evening, there were still plenty of people lingering at the photo areas. People lined up one by one to take pictures. The Toy Story “Galactic Light Tunnel” attracted the most attention. For many, taking photos in the light tunnel during Christmas has become a ritual. Couples tried posing with heart signs under the strings of lights, and friends helped each other adjust angles to capture eye-catching Instagram shots.

And of course, the Christmas trees are the main attraction. Whether it’s the giant trees in front of malls or the creatively decorated trees inside, they draw crowds. I made a point to check out the Christmas tree at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taipei Xinyi Place this year. It’s a 20-meter-tall platinum tree. As usual, at specific times, there’s a synchronized music and light show. When the music starts, the crowd instinctively quiets down, all eyes drawn to the tree. For many, if they don’t post a photo or story online, it’s almost like they never came.

Unexpectedly, at the popular photo spots, I even saw women dressed in elegant outfits, their skirts and hair flowing naturally while professional photographers captured every dynamic moment. It looked like an outdoor photoshoot, taking advantage of the limited-time holiday scene to create street-style photos full of warmth and story. Since I had to work the next day, I could only hurry through the photo areas, hoping to get home soon to freshen up.

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