Wood Carving Dream King and Free Store Introduction
The area of Shih-liao was originally intended by the father as a place to enjoy a leisurely life after retirement. However, upon returning from studying abroad, Hsu Chien-Chih, after his military service, introduced the concept of "barter" to the derelict site, leading to significant changes in the land. The majority of this area has transformed into the Shih-liao Leisure Agricultural Area and the Tonghua Valley Camping Area. In the shopping street, he and his sister Hsu Chi-Jung established experimental spaces called "Free Store" and "Wood Carving Dream King." The "Free Store," which opened in June and July of 2016, has a simple facade but carries their profound dreams. It is filled with neatly organized supplies, from small toys to thermoses, where new and clean second-hand items from home can be donated. Visitors can "exchange goods," for instance, swapping homegrown eggs for a teddy bear, leading the community and guests to reminisce about the spirit of mutual aid and trust in the old agricultural days, executed in a more modern way. During the interview, a neighboring mother brought a bag of freshly picked citrus fruits for exchange, showing that local residents have already understood their philosophy. Moreover, at the entrance, a green refrigerator made of blackboard material is labeled "Community Fridge," encouraging people to take what they need and donate excess food. For health reasons, cooked food and meat are not accepted, only various raw ingredients and dry goods. They also collaborate with brands like A-She Diner to allow everyone to experience the simple charm of Hakka farms. During this time, initiatives like this community building have yielded exciting results: more people learned about Shih-liao and the weekly communal dining time on Wednesdays and Saturdays, fostering a bridge of exchange between residents and tourists, enhancing community cohesion, and significantly increasing the rate of item exchanges. With media exposure, university students from various places have come here to volunteer by serving the elderly, weeding, and writing reports for promotion in exchange for meals. The children's ecological camp that collaborates locally has also received positive feedback. On the other hand, "Wood Carving Dream King," reminiscing about past plans, is a deep travel program co-planned with Shih-liao. The walls of the store are adorned with photos of culture, landscape, industries, and scenery. You can choose places and activities you want to experience, and they will customize an in-depth experience for you, which might include farming with smallholders or watching eagles soar over the lake. The store also offers frame-making with fallen leaves, branches, and dried flowers, allowing you to pack eco-friendly memories and the concept of sustainable travel. Their dream is to expand into various aspects of life, creating a self-sufficient ideal world where one can pursue a beautiful life without money.
