Talking Point with Janet Hsieh

How have your childhood experiences in the West shaped you as a person?

I went to American schools. Growing up in Texas has made me independent. At home,we talk in Taiwanese,so culturally I am blessed. I adapt easily and I understand and relate to various international communities.

Now that the show has expanded to Fun Asia,how different is it from Fun Taiwan?

Shooting for Fun Asia has been amazing. I get to travel to exotic places and meet interesting people and absorb different cultures. A lot of memorable instances are etched in my mind.

What countries will Fun Asia cover?

The show will capture the cultural essence of Fiji,Hong Kong,Thailand,Bangkok,Macau,Korea,Mongolia,Japan,Philippines,India and a few more countries.

Is this your first visit to India?

No,it’s my third. I came to India for the first time in 2001 and did some volunteer work in Jamshedpur. I have been to Kerala,Agra,Goa,Sikkim,Nashik and Rajasthan. The country and its people are very welcoming.

How has the shooting of India episodes been?

There is so much to see and experience in India that it just never feels enough. For the past 15 days,we have been in India. I would need a lifetime to cover India — it’s so beautiful. The India segment will primarily be on Gujarat and Orissa. We were in Gujarat for 10 days and visited Ahmedabad,Champaner and Bhuj. In Orissa,we explored Bhubhaneswar,Puri and Dhenkanal.

Which is your most memorable moment in India?

There are plenty. I learnt Odissi dance and also wore the traditional attire. It’s heavy but beautiful. We saw Irrawaddy dolphins in the Chilka lake in Orissa. In Gujarat,I made the traditional Gujarati thali and I was thoroughly intrigued by the tie-and-dye procedure that the women in Bhuj do.

What do you like most about India?

The people are so warm here. In Bhuj,we met this one craftsman,Jabbar — he spent only one day with us. The next day we invited him to have lunch with us and he brought all of us leather wallets and purses. I was really touched by the gesture.

What are the problems that you and your team faced in India while shooting?

Nothing really. A lot of people say that India is crowded and dirty — but I think it’s a country of contradictions. Apart from upset stomachs,we have not had any troubles here.