Hello all.
I've figured it my limit. I'm now going to McDonalds for breakfast every morning. I started a few days ago because I just couldn't eat rice soup one more day for breakfast! I love Taiwan and the people are fantastic - but they DON'T know what's good for breakfast. I need a cup of HOT coffee, with an egg and a piece of bacon or ham or something like it. I don't want noodles, or rice, or any other "non-breakfast" stuff. Ice Tea just isn't a breakfast drink. . . I can deal with lunch and dinner at local restaurants and vendors (which I LOVE - since I'm so cheap, I can eat for 80 cents!!!) - but breakfast is "special".
I went to the Meokong Gondala today (sorry about the spelling). It's a part of the Taipei mass transit system that is a gondala going up a mountain. The ride was fun and the scenery was very nice. However, Meokong isn't that great. It's tea country and I'm sure if you love tea it's the perfect place to go. I've never been a huge tea drinker and the trails were pitiful - so I just rode the MRT and had a good time.
Yesterday, I found a huge store that sold lots of Taiwanese crafts in Taipei. I hadn't bought much of anything around the island since I didn't want to carry it. So, I was freaking out about how to buy gifts. Well, that was taken care of today. I spent a fortune! But, that's ok since I've been eating for 80 cents! Plus, I spent plenty of nights at hostels (for $10 USD) and "budget" hotels (for about $15 USD). With everything, this has been a very inexpensive trip.
So, I'm off tomorrow morning (to the airport by the 4:30 bus) and can't wait. I'll be ready to see the family and be back to work.
OH - one more thing. Talk about vanity! I passed a bookstore here that sold lots of computer books. I was just FORCED to look for the SSL book - and they had TWO copies! I was very excited. I've looked before at "Books a Million" in Alabama and they don't carry anything like this. This bookstore was really big and devoted to computer stuff - so there was a better chance. Anyway, it was pretty neat.
I decided not to go to the top of Taipei 101 (the world's tallest building?). It was really cloudy today and I just couldn't get excited about it. And, since it costs $20 USD - I would have needed something to push me into it. I did walk through the mall at the bottom, but it's just like any other really expensive mall - so it was uninteresting.
One thing I wanted to remember was to tell you about how the people here queue in line. They really know how to line up! And, if you're not touching the person in front of you, they will just step in front of you. It's kind of wierd the first few times it happens - but I know they don't mean anything by it. It's just not what I'm used to.
Ok - that's it. Thanks for reading.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
I can't believe you people continue to read this ???
Hello all.
I'm back in Taipei and pretty happy about it. I'm exhausted. Yesterday was great hiking in Toroko - which is incredibly beautiful. It's a shame you can't get permits - which I intend to complain about (which will do no good at all of course) on the forums. However, Taipei is a lot of fun and I'm having a good time buying stuff for the kids. I saw a few sights today, but I'm going to concentrate on getting through the books I bought yesterday. It's tough to find books in English - so you have to take what you can get.
I've read a lot of the book I bought at the Buddist place. Actually, I was expecting some really meaningful and profound stuff - since the nun is a "dharma master". To be perfectly honest, it appears to be more like a cult of personality. . . Her photo is on nearly every page and everything I read talks about how wonderful and meaningful and helpful this person is. Actually, it kind of makes you gag when you read it. Then, I read the book she wrote - and maybe it is the way it translates to English, but it ain't much of anything. She's the queen of non-sequitors - talking about her heart condition and then saying that's why it's important to be kind to people. It don't follow lady! And, in the preface she says she welcomes comments from "senior Buddists" - meaning if you "don't get it" then you aren't "qualified". That's hogwash. I'm going to throw the book away.
The Republican convention is on at a really inconvient time for me ! I had to sit in my hotel room until about 11 a.m. until it was essentially over. I loved listening to "Loserman" give his speech. At least he didn't challenge anyone to a duel - YET.
I just killed a fly - so I'm no Buddist. The guy sitting next to me doesn't care - so he's not a Buddist either. Have a GREAT day.
I'm back in Taipei and pretty happy about it. I'm exhausted. Yesterday was great hiking in Toroko - which is incredibly beautiful. It's a shame you can't get permits - which I intend to complain about (which will do no good at all of course) on the forums. However, Taipei is a lot of fun and I'm having a good time buying stuff for the kids. I saw a few sights today, but I'm going to concentrate on getting through the books I bought yesterday. It's tough to find books in English - so you have to take what you can get.
I've read a lot of the book I bought at the Buddist place. Actually, I was expecting some really meaningful and profound stuff - since the nun is a "dharma master". To be perfectly honest, it appears to be more like a cult of personality. . . Her photo is on nearly every page and everything I read talks about how wonderful and meaningful and helpful this person is. Actually, it kind of makes you gag when you read it. Then, I read the book she wrote - and maybe it is the way it translates to English, but it ain't much of anything. She's the queen of non-sequitors - talking about her heart condition and then saying that's why it's important to be kind to people. It don't follow lady! And, in the preface she says she welcomes comments from "senior Buddists" - meaning if you "don't get it" then you aren't "qualified". That's hogwash. I'm going to throw the book away.
The Republican convention is on at a really inconvient time for me ! I had to sit in my hotel room until about 11 a.m. until it was essentially over. I loved listening to "Loserman" give his speech. At least he didn't challenge anyone to a duel - YET.
I just killed a fly - so I'm no Buddist. The guy sitting next to me doesn't care - so he's not a Buddist either. Have a GREAT day.
Monday, September 1, 2008
I saw a freaking Monkey!
Hello all.
Today I'm in Toroko Gorge, staying again at a Youth Hostel. This one is beaitiful - nestled in the mountains. Absolutely incredible views and great hikes. I walked a lot today. I'm a little bummed because all the "good" hikes require a permit (with a 7 day lead time - which you have to apply for in person). So, unless you are a local or have local connections - you can forget going on extensive hikes. Because of that, I'm leaving tomorrow after another day of hiking (assuming I can find someplace to put my backpack for the day). The logistics of travel seems to me to be the most difficult and frustrating.
The coolest thing today is that I saw actual monkeys! I guess I knew they had monkeys and bears in Taiwan, but I never expected to see one. In fact, I saw five. I was on a trail and heard a rustling in the woods. I sat down and waited for about 20 minutes without moving. Then they came near. They knew I was there. We sat and watched each other for about 30 minutes. Then, a Taiwanese family came down the trail. I motioned for them to be quiet and watch with me. Later, I ate dinner with the same family - so we had lots to talk about.
The Taiwanese people are extraordinarily nice. That's definitely the thing I like best about the country. There are far to many people - for this island. And, there are other "not-so-great" things - like the permit system for access to the hikes, no swimming (almost :) because of the dangerous currents, crazy (really crazy) drivers. But, by and large, the niceness of the people make up for everything else.
I've only seen a little of Mexico - namely a few trips to Mexico City and the surrounding areas. However, I think Taiwan is very much like the valley of Mexico - without the crime. I feel very safe here at all times - there is definitely no problem with crime like in Mexico. However, there is corruption. The ex-President is now being investigated along with his family for pocketing a bunch of campaign contributions. That's the big news.
Ok - that's all for now. I'll write again when I get to Taipei tomorrow. I hope that the Hurricane doesn't do much damage. Everyone is very aware of the storm here - people mention it a lot.
Later.
Today I'm in Toroko Gorge, staying again at a Youth Hostel. This one is beaitiful - nestled in the mountains. Absolutely incredible views and great hikes. I walked a lot today. I'm a little bummed because all the "good" hikes require a permit (with a 7 day lead time - which you have to apply for in person). So, unless you are a local or have local connections - you can forget going on extensive hikes. Because of that, I'm leaving tomorrow after another day of hiking (assuming I can find someplace to put my backpack for the day). The logistics of travel seems to me to be the most difficult and frustrating.
The coolest thing today is that I saw actual monkeys! I guess I knew they had monkeys and bears in Taiwan, but I never expected to see one. In fact, I saw five. I was on a trail and heard a rustling in the woods. I sat down and waited for about 20 minutes without moving. Then they came near. They knew I was there. We sat and watched each other for about 30 minutes. Then, a Taiwanese family came down the trail. I motioned for them to be quiet and watch with me. Later, I ate dinner with the same family - so we had lots to talk about.
The Taiwanese people are extraordinarily nice. That's definitely the thing I like best about the country. There are far to many people - for this island. And, there are other "not-so-great" things - like the permit system for access to the hikes, no swimming (almost :) because of the dangerous currents, crazy (really crazy) drivers. But, by and large, the niceness of the people make up for everything else.
I've only seen a little of Mexico - namely a few trips to Mexico City and the surrounding areas. However, I think Taiwan is very much like the valley of Mexico - without the crime. I feel very safe here at all times - there is definitely no problem with crime like in Mexico. However, there is corruption. The ex-President is now being investigated along with his family for pocketing a bunch of campaign contributions. That's the big news.
Ok - that's all for now. I'll write again when I get to Taipei tomorrow. I hope that the Hurricane doesn't do much damage. Everyone is very aware of the storm here - people mention it a lot.
Later.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
I'm such a huge DA - Again !!
Hello all.
As many of you know, I have the pleasure often to kid Bill Rieger about various things - often well deserved I might add. I can also laugh at myself -
Today in Hualien, I rented a mountain bike and am zooming around the city to see the sites. This morning, I went to the Tzu Chi Campus, home of the Tsu Chi Foundation the world's largest charitable Buddhist organization. I toured the Still Thoughts Hall and was fortunate to have two English guides - one was the head of their organization in India and the other was a plastic surgeon at their adjoining hospital. It's a Sunday and it appears that everyone at this organization is a volunteer - so these "big whigs" were doing tours ! So, I'm walking around with these people - trying my best to sound smart. I've been watching CNN International a lot (since that's the ONLY thing on TV that I understand), so I've got a good grasp of all the bad things going on in the world right now. I thought I was doing a pretty good job showing how aware I was of the world situation - as it relates to disaster, etc. I probably spent two hours with these people - walking around and talking about their organization. I had a coffee and bought a book on the way out. So, there I am leaving the campus - congratulating myself on being a good representative of the USA. Then I notice that my fly is wide OPEN!!! It could not have been more obvious - so I'm sure they must have used all their mental stillness techniques to avoid laughing out loud.
Tomorrow I leave for Toroko Gorge and hiking. I'll remember to close the barn door when I enter the visitor's center. Later!
As many of you know, I have the pleasure often to kid Bill Rieger about various things - often well deserved I might add. I can also laugh at myself -
Today in Hualien, I rented a mountain bike and am zooming around the city to see the sites. This morning, I went to the Tzu Chi Campus, home of the Tsu Chi Foundation the world's largest charitable Buddhist organization. I toured the Still Thoughts Hall and was fortunate to have two English guides - one was the head of their organization in India and the other was a plastic surgeon at their adjoining hospital. It's a Sunday and it appears that everyone at this organization is a volunteer - so these "big whigs" were doing tours ! So, I'm walking around with these people - trying my best to sound smart. I've been watching CNN International a lot (since that's the ONLY thing on TV that I understand), so I've got a good grasp of all the bad things going on in the world right now. I thought I was doing a pretty good job showing how aware I was of the world situation - as it relates to disaster, etc. I probably spent two hours with these people - walking around and talking about their organization. I had a coffee and bought a book on the way out. So, there I am leaving the campus - congratulating myself on being a good representative of the USA. Then I notice that my fly is wide OPEN!!! It could not have been more obvious - so I'm sure they must have used all their mental stillness techniques to avoid laughing out loud.
Tomorrow I leave for Toroko Gorge and hiking. I'll remember to close the barn door when I enter the visitor's center. Later!
Taiwan fashion and me
Hello all.
Everyone knows I'm no fasionista, but I'm going to comment on the trends here. On the positive side, the women wear very short shorts and skirts, which of course I think is excellent. Many young women (15-25) wear something I've never seen before - puffy shorts. They are normal shorts I guess, but puff out around the leg. They look VERY MUCH like diapers and are incredibly ridiculous.
I'm one to talk! With the heat and humidity here, I'm always bathed in sweat outside. Throughout the day, you move from outside to air-conditioned inside . . . so, I've gotten used to a perpetual dirty feeling. At least I didn't come with cotton clothing - that would have been a disaster.
Everyone knows I'm no fasionista, but I'm going to comment on the trends here. On the positive side, the women wear very short shorts and skirts, which of course I think is excellent. Many young women (15-25) wear something I've never seen before - puffy shorts. They are normal shorts I guess, but puff out around the leg. They look VERY MUCH like diapers and are incredibly ridiculous.
I'm one to talk! With the heat and humidity here, I'm always bathed in sweat outside. Throughout the day, you move from outside to air-conditioned inside . . . so, I've gotten used to a perpetual dirty feeling. At least I didn't come with cotton clothing - that would have been a disaster.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Hualien - my expectations
Hello all.
This morning, I took the train to Hualien. I was prepared to love Hualien just because of its geography. It's like how you expect Redding, Ca to be beautiful simply because of where it's located. Of course, Redding may be beautiful - I don't know since I've never been there. However, now I've been to Hualien - and I can say for sure that this is not a beautiful city simply because it is surrounded by beautiful mountains and the Pacific Ocean. At least, that's what I think when I compare it to Taitung which was REALLY nice, and Tainan which was close to nice. It had its problems, as any city does - but the use of greenspace was outstanding and made a fairly large city seem small and quaint. Hualien, in contrast, is like Cleveland nestled between the Smokey Mountains (about the same size) and the Pacific Ocean. I think the city is famous with tourists becuase it has some really good transportation options - buses and trains - to get the heck out of here. I just got here - so this may be an unfair take on the city, but I'm already bummed I got a hotel for two nights. I should have gone for only one and hit Toroko Gorge for an extra day. I'm going to make the most of it however. I've got a place to rent me a bike tomorrow (it's going to be a POS) and I'll head out to explore. I've already done some walking around today and it's like trying to see the sights of Detroit on foot - not the best idea. Plus, since I can't read the bus schedule or communicate well - I'm at a disadvantage.
Ok - more tomorrow. I've got to read the news about McBush's GREAT pick for VP. What a great way to emphasize Obama's lack of experience than to pick the only person with less experience and try to convince everyone that it's not a double standard! I love McCain.
This morning, I took the train to Hualien. I was prepared to love Hualien just because of its geography. It's like how you expect Redding, Ca to be beautiful simply because of where it's located. Of course, Redding may be beautiful - I don't know since I've never been there. However, now I've been to Hualien - and I can say for sure that this is not a beautiful city simply because it is surrounded by beautiful mountains and the Pacific Ocean. At least, that's what I think when I compare it to Taitung which was REALLY nice, and Tainan which was close to nice. It had its problems, as any city does - but the use of greenspace was outstanding and made a fairly large city seem small and quaint. Hualien, in contrast, is like Cleveland nestled between the Smokey Mountains (about the same size) and the Pacific Ocean. I think the city is famous with tourists becuase it has some really good transportation options - buses and trains - to get the heck out of here. I just got here - so this may be an unfair take on the city, but I'm already bummed I got a hotel for two nights. I should have gone for only one and hit Toroko Gorge for an extra day. I'm going to make the most of it however. I've got a place to rent me a bike tomorrow (it's going to be a POS) and I'll head out to explore. I've already done some walking around today and it's like trying to see the sights of Detroit on foot - not the best idea. Plus, since I can't read the bus schedule or communicate well - I'm at a disadvantage.
Ok - more tomorrow. I've got to read the news about McBush's GREAT pick for VP. What a great way to emphasize Obama's lack of experience than to pick the only person with less experience and try to convince everyone that it's not a double standard! I love McCain.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Just breathing the air . . .
Hello all.
Today was fun! I took off this morning (missing unfortunately, the final day of the DNC) on a mountain bike. I went North from Taitung up the coast. I passed a bunch of little fishing villages on the way, stopped for a few naps (I'm getting really good at those), had an excellent lunch of something that included an almost-black hardboiled egg), and went for a long swim. The mountains around here are incredible - probably a lot like Northern California, but I've never been there so I can't say. The difference is that the coast is nearly deserted for long stretches. I stopped at a huge abandoned hotel which looked like it was a fancy resort before a typhoon destroyed it. It lay in ruins (although it still looked like a good shell of a hotel), but I was able to benefit from its beach. The water was great and the surf was fun. I was the only person in the water as far as I could see. Many of the people who live on the Eastern edge of Taiwan are aboriginals - descending from ancient peoples who lived in Taiwan, mixed with Han Chinese who came here after the Dutch were booted out by Koxinga (1600s). Taitung is a very multi-cultural city, at least as multi-cultural as it gets here I guess. The people are SUPER nice - willing to help in any way. Most want to speak their few words of English, so I get huge smiles from people when I say "Hello" instead of "Ne-How". Lots of parents will push their kids toward me to get them to talk to me. It's really funny.
So after all that excercise today, I'm sitting in a smoke filled Internet cafe - trading in all those health credits I earned this morning. I can get high just breathing the air.
Since it's Friday, tonight I'm going to force myself to stay out late and go to the night market. I'm really bad at staying awake after being busy all day, but I'm going to do my best tonight. Last night, I broke down and bought a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. I've not been missing western food all that much, but it seemed like the thing to do. I also downed a few Kirins while I was at it and watched Rambo III. That's the one where he's in Afghanistan. It's still an awful movie - even after few beers.
Tomorrow I head out for Huilin and Toroko Gorge. I may finally get into the woods, but I'll see. I understand there's another typhoon coming. It would be just my friggin luck to come half-way around the world to hike and not get out of the city. I would have been better off just taking a three hour trip to the Smokey Mountains! I'll be in Huilin for four days before going to Taipei and preparing to come home.
Later.
Today was fun! I took off this morning (missing unfortunately, the final day of the DNC) on a mountain bike. I went North from Taitung up the coast. I passed a bunch of little fishing villages on the way, stopped for a few naps (I'm getting really good at those), had an excellent lunch of something that included an almost-black hardboiled egg), and went for a long swim. The mountains around here are incredible - probably a lot like Northern California, but I've never been there so I can't say. The difference is that the coast is nearly deserted for long stretches. I stopped at a huge abandoned hotel which looked like it was a fancy resort before a typhoon destroyed it. It lay in ruins (although it still looked like a good shell of a hotel), but I was able to benefit from its beach. The water was great and the surf was fun. I was the only person in the water as far as I could see. Many of the people who live on the Eastern edge of Taiwan are aboriginals - descending from ancient peoples who lived in Taiwan, mixed with Han Chinese who came here after the Dutch were booted out by Koxinga (1600s). Taitung is a very multi-cultural city, at least as multi-cultural as it gets here I guess. The people are SUPER nice - willing to help in any way. Most want to speak their few words of English, so I get huge smiles from people when I say "Hello" instead of "Ne-How". Lots of parents will push their kids toward me to get them to talk to me. It's really funny.
So after all that excercise today, I'm sitting in a smoke filled Internet cafe - trading in all those health credits I earned this morning. I can get high just breathing the air.
Since it's Friday, tonight I'm going to force myself to stay out late and go to the night market. I'm really bad at staying awake after being busy all day, but I'm going to do my best tonight. Last night, I broke down and bought a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. I've not been missing western food all that much, but it seemed like the thing to do. I also downed a few Kirins while I was at it and watched Rambo III. That's the one where he's in Afghanistan. It's still an awful movie - even after few beers.
Tomorrow I head out for Huilin and Toroko Gorge. I may finally get into the woods, but I'll see. I understand there's another typhoon coming. It would be just my friggin luck to come half-way around the world to hike and not get out of the city. I would have been better off just taking a three hour trip to the Smokey Mountains! I'll be in Huilin for four days before going to Taipei and preparing to come home.
Later.
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