il Giardino Romantico

現代上班族，很多人生活圈都太小。需要借助聯誼活動來認識新朋友。CAPT每個月都會舉辦一次周日早午餐會。第一次得知CAPT是由朋友的朋友介紹。我得承認剛開始有點猶豫到底要不要去。畢竟只要是跟聯誼有關的，好像都有可能變得不太妙。後來想想去了也不會少一塊肉，就去了～ 第一次是五月份的餐會，這篇文章要介紹的是六月分的餐會～

CAPT meets for Sunday brunch once a month. I first heard about CAPT from a friend of a friend. I was a bit reluctant at first, because I know how these things can turn out to be like. But I thought, it didn't hurt to give it a try. So I went, and had a really good time meeting new people. My first CAPT lunch was in May. This article is about my second CAPT brunch. 



這次地點選在東區巷弄裡的Rue 216。由於場地限制，所以開放進場人數有限。好加在我與友人抵達時，就這麼剛剛好的成為最後被允許入場的幾位～

Rue 216 was the venue for brunch this time. Since there was limited space here, only a limited number of people were allowed in this time. After my friend's arrival, we were lucky to be the last few who were admitted! 



CAPT成立於90年代，至今以達二十餘年。入會沒有什麼特別的儀式。所以非官方的人數統計，可能高達兩千多人。當初會成立CAPT是源自想要讓旅外或曾長期住在國外回台後的朋友們提供一個與相同背景的男男女女們的交友個管道，讓大家能夠認識更多跟自己一樣習慣／喜歡說英文的朋友。當然至今這個焦點早已模糊。現在很多從未出過國的，一點英文都不會的，也照樣出席。

CAPT was founded in the 1990's. The purpose was to provide a means through which people who have just returned to Taiwan after having lived a long time abroad, a platform to get to know more people with similar backgrounds. However, to date, this purpose has long been obscured. Now, people who have never set foot on soil other than Taiwan, and those who do not speak a word of English, also come join CAPT brunches. 



每月的早午餐聚會都會於Facebook發布。只要按下「參加」當天將享有特別價優惠。這天老闆也提供了氣泡酒的特價！一杯只要一百元！（我怎麼可能會錯過！）

The brunch event will be announced on Facebook at least a couple of weeks before the actual date. You get a special discount price if you RSVP beforehand. This time, the owner also provided us with a special price on sparkling wine. Only NT$100 per glass. Wouldn't miss it for the world! (Knowing who I am.) 


Pre-meal fruit 餐前水果

因為我與友人很晚才到，餐廳已經擠滿了人。只剩吧台的座位。不過，繼續看下去就會知道，其實這裡才是最好的位置！

Because we were the last few, the place was already packed with people. The only place left to sit was by the bar. But if you continue on, you'll see that it was actually the best seat ever! 


Close up of the fruits 水果特寫～

因為這間餐廳規模不大。所與舉辦這種活動，為了順利，有要求我們先前點餐以便加速上餐。不過不知道怎麼了，我點的餐點卻缺貨！其餘的又都是我不能吃的（我不吃豬牛羊）後來店員說可以幫我特製一個沒有豬牛羊的餐點。老闆也為了賠罪，就說可以免費送我們一杯氣泡酒。我跟老闆說：可是我已經點了！那可不可以在幫我續一杯？老闆當然很樂意！不過不知道怎麼一回事（溝通出了問題？）那一杯續完一後，老闆只要看到我的杯子空了，就一直幫我續杯！即使最後我跟他說：我不需要續杯了，他還是誤會以為我還要...  （其實很樂）

Because it was not a large scale restaurant, in order to ensure a speedy service, we had to pre-order before the day. But somehow, they ran out of ingredients to make what I ordered. After telling them that I didn't eat any of the things on the rest of the menu (I don't eat pork, beef, nor lamb, you see), they agreed to make me a special dish. To apologise for this glitch, the owner offered us a free glass of sparkling wine. But you see, I already paid for my one glass. Seeing this, he agreed to a free top-up. But, hey, that one free top-up turned out to be an unlimited free top-up! Even when I tried to tell him I'd had enough, he still topped me up! Haha... 


This was the other alternative meal. 這就是另外的選項（我不吃的）


The special dish made because of my unique diet. 
這就是為我特製的餐點～


A plate of my favourite - strawberries also came with the meal. 
還附上了我最愛的草莓！

所以我才說，吧台是個好位子吧！

That's why I said, the best seats of the day were by the bar! 



 

目前規劃CAPT活動的人員之一想要跟大家分享的是，類似像這種的聯誼活動，其實是個不錯得認識新朋有的管道。當你交了新朋友之後，或許會發現原來你們早有共同的朋友！其實這才是最原始的「社群網絡」。天仙想要分享的則是：前面提到過，剛開始對「聯誼」這兩個自就有點感冒。感覺就像是去覓對象的機會。但是CAPT是一個非常單純的聚會（當然不代表你不能在這裡認識到你的真命天子／女）但至少大家的目的不會專注於找妹找型男。總之就是一個很friendly的聚會。害羞的朋友也不用怕，CAPT的人都非常的友善，也非常的健談。不用怕冷場沒話聊喔！

One of the current event organizers would like to share with you, that events like these are a good way to meet new friends. Once you make new friends, you might realize you already have some common friends! Sound familiar? This is the original 'social network'! And a few words from me, personally: like I said earlier, events like this in Taiwan, seemed to me that people had a specific agenda - to find a date... But CAPT is a very straightforward group. This doesn't mean you won't find that special someone here, but at least that's not everyone's intention. (I can't speak for all, I suppose, but...) Most people are just here to meet new friends. If you're a bit introvert, don't worry. People in CAPT will help you open up! 




檢視較大的地圖 

Next brunch: August 14 at Nineting19
下一次的早午餐聚會：八月十四日 地點：Nineting19美式餐廳

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天仙念：來嘛！來嘛！一起認識新朋友～