tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91399832172509103662024-02-18T19:27:36.650-08:00With the WindThis blog will follow me on my journey through Taiwan! Please join me!Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-78227161246871505792009-01-24T20:50:00.000-08:002009-01-24T20:58:45.476-08:00ELON On MOTHER'S DAY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GdR7RovAI3n5A77sZf_I1BnwpLYBoAmWs-qR-tMYvasD9oFkOf92kzEc8EzV7Fq9NTthpIZG1ItWO7D32wZRp-qnUeDx0PxkGky6Xr-FfNxzxdi5S0WGlAge8-gfMplStztaNlcn-2cc/s1600-h/L1070639.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GdR7RovAI3n5A77sZf_I1BnwpLYBoAmWs-qR-tMYvasD9oFkOf92kzEc8EzV7Fq9NTthpIZG1ItWO7D32wZRp-qnUeDx0PxkGky6Xr-FfNxzxdi5S0WGlAge8-gfMplStztaNlcn-2cc/s200/L1070639.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295091085939175090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S83ICl7k3D2jEPYsJtyR6qQA_MJ4RDNMbWjWxbTZbZFtrxUNwHHKARv9YNlgRCOMgYDv6ygSSD2_aLCd0pLCtp1ohmPvmvVYRMgQWdLmYvv4zzqbPwBMMCPeF3M270ccr4-1biFV7e93/s1600-h/L1070630.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S83ICl7k3D2jEPYsJtyR6qQA_MJ4RDNMbWjWxbTZbZFtrxUNwHHKARv9YNlgRCOMgYDv6ygSSD2_aLCd0pLCtp1ohmPvmvVYRMgQWdLmYvv4zzqbPwBMMCPeF3M270ccr4-1biFV7e93/s200/L1070630.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295090850219782914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdck_tiNSea_cHED8SjroiHksAayoOuDRQGc79PLfKqkAQi-hc68e_BY20VwpDcIDOltITVdnD_TzISkVqlHBGYm8hOFRyROOM5gwWY0L8zDPtBf-dAuqIh_v_oCG_xZucWNdpdNEuITzk/s1600-h/L1070604.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdck_tiNSea_cHED8SjroiHksAayoOuDRQGc79PLfKqkAQi-hc68e_BY20VwpDcIDOltITVdnD_TzISkVqlHBGYm8hOFRyROOM5gwWY0L8zDPtBf-dAuqIh_v_oCG_xZucWNdpdNEuITzk/s200/L1070604.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295090610756957698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDJqOxm3SQy4Rv4ZtV8194jTWhNBpKvo29Do5R0DlhxyjdDcoBSZvvmaD83_yOENO-Tc17y2MbqJg95G27ewGEz5qID4rcrBjPl4VmuQFpmdpocBDdGu4hZU7z2qRgr9qSvdQQkzqru1P/s1600-h/L1070543.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDJqOxm3SQy4Rv4ZtV8194jTWhNBpKvo29Do5R0DlhxyjdDcoBSZvvmaD83_yOENO-Tc17y2MbqJg95G27ewGEz5qID4rcrBjPl4VmuQFpmdpocBDdGu4hZU7z2qRgr9qSvdQQkzqru1P/s200/L1070543.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295090606687169634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWycf1HWNlsscmf2WYzYUeGfGg1m7Hq-Jd-MFSkiK3YYxyNBvE1DJ3ST_5WozAsMeM8A82scLJ9VQvqQBPj5zzIALXWf7zQ9ebAhGkpVY9IFQZW-zOnEJBq2BP53EJRLfwLV-7rrBUm4u/s1600-h/L1070533.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWycf1HWNlsscmf2WYzYUeGfGg1m7Hq-Jd-MFSkiK3YYxyNBvE1DJ3ST_5WozAsMeM8A82scLJ9VQvqQBPj5zzIALXWf7zQ9ebAhGkpVY9IFQZW-zOnEJBq2BP53EJRLfwLV-7rrBUm4u/s200/L1070533.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295090608540242034" border="0" /></a><br />ELON is a beautiful seaport town known for its awesome hotsprings and markets. We had a lovely experience with the Young family, my benefactors. The hotsprings were piped right into the hotel. A special room with built in bath was rented by the hour and was one of my happiest hours in Taiwan!Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-25752809784674762312009-01-24T20:39:00.000-08:002009-01-24T20:50:14.330-08:00Demi comes to Taiwan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kRBW6AqLFPJiRNpXUrTnjcfYtvB7Pn9bss8hq17so7FhwKcblNMRKINi8fJYB2D8GWGBWpRdIAie-tyBEJyJNGvKX5ElCeGY9OJkyITf8mHzM1L2u9S4dPZqTMxdSX7ub0SJbzBo2qsK/s1600-h/L1100285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kRBW6AqLFPJiRNpXUrTnjcfYtvB7Pn9bss8hq17so7FhwKcblNMRKINi8fJYB2D8GWGBWpRdIAie-tyBEJyJNGvKX5ElCeGY9OJkyITf8mHzM1L2u9S4dPZqTMxdSX7ub0SJbzBo2qsK/s200/L1100285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295087830350825586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPYy8wHZ4GHxGRg7I1A3pVy3LS2XN85HIG8ymuHVvJTLk3B76mccHOIk4BA6pEjNFO9_Rftj7xNi1w_s6QX2LnhBuRM9NlQvCtNdXDU-zK_nuI8O3iI4QFfBTUpIScSMBqwC7wFn5IJ4A/s1600-h/L1100281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPYy8wHZ4GHxGRg7I1A3pVy3LS2XN85HIG8ymuHVvJTLk3B76mccHOIk4BA6pEjNFO9_Rftj7xNi1w_s6QX2LnhBuRM9NlQvCtNdXDU-zK_nuI8O3iI4QFfBTUpIScSMBqwC7wFn5IJ4A/s200/L1100281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295087826907779906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjA3khdOxB55CHbJZ_AMWO7jWo-fnwvttMjnvij4giQI_6zV5Kk9oFHPy6CAgDPw2igYCTUTStsIdDdwkUqWlD-oUt1GeyroImjvQyPgw0F3XOLPFM2KBRqK049p5JNKzgxX38b7RvMqj/s1600-h/Anniversary+coffee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjA3khdOxB55CHbJZ_AMWO7jWo-fnwvttMjnvij4giQI_6zV5Kk9oFHPy6CAgDPw2igYCTUTStsIdDdwkUqWlD-oUt1GeyroImjvQyPgw0F3XOLPFM2KBRqK049p5JNKzgxX38b7RvMqj/s200/Anniversary+coffee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295087814833137218" border="0" /></a>Demi, my best friend, visited me in Taiwan. While she was there we shopped, shopped and shopped and traveled a bit around Taiwan. We did so many things, including spending a day at Chunju's elementary school in Taibei. Top to bottom:<br />Demi is helping the student's complete their artwork. Demi is an Art Teacher in the US. Demi is sending letters home. That's a mailbox! Demi is drinking coffee to celebrate her Anniversary. You can see more pictures of our travels to Tyroko and Sun Moon Lake, as well as Pauli at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrruby/Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-86332031081270241412009-01-11T20:32:00.000-08:002009-01-24T20:38:59.481-08:00BoAn Temple, Taipei<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5f41ptNI-duS05boYFCEqxJwOnqO6VXwUxRnoQzHM-xtTOg7zfkJfxDw4LihV6qvoNUsbgM-cR-xvbOUDmo28xzufUdq2Iqpcnl4SIb4Lk3XxIvHaT6jwAS8WwFpRdwG7CUvHi2Mqc7l/s1600-h/L1100221.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5f41ptNI-duS05boYFCEqxJwOnqO6VXwUxRnoQzHM-xtTOg7zfkJfxDw4LihV6qvoNUsbgM-cR-xvbOUDmo28xzufUdq2Iqpcnl4SIb4Lk3XxIvHaT6jwAS8WwFpRdwG7CUvHi2Mqc7l/s200/L1100221.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290262475128242658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdByPNg9PRuOMxTq-1O6jDAErkmiVF5mOIki7Y8Y5wGA6CpjVy1Ejy4z2RuxiGRCidvIPuu1dhdTfLYZjZijxzm6APRELMlVm5wujzxtFAnacs1nWKIl7yFpP5uWLXpy5CBbjnxHhoZetU/s1600-h/L1100235.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdByPNg9PRuOMxTq-1O6jDAErkmiVF5mOIki7Y8Y5wGA6CpjVy1Ejy4z2RuxiGRCidvIPuu1dhdTfLYZjZijxzm6APRELMlVm5wujzxtFAnacs1nWKIl7yFpP5uWLXpy5CBbjnxHhoZetU/s200/L1100235.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290262199406127922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c7ujxUtY4MbsHIo5YTbJSFppl_NtiXNSKYg-dsIpTou7PQ1I6UD5ZCN6c12deulpVk1sTmT4_bKY4nZi0qq2sAd8waxMIT1_2Dm1ceXzHu7TY5Fa5R1g8RaYRNxRp8yZ8XQQcKJpJ2n-/s1600-h/L1100223.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c7ujxUtY4MbsHIo5YTbJSFppl_NtiXNSKYg-dsIpTou7PQ1I6UD5ZCN6c12deulpVk1sTmT4_bKY4nZi0qq2sAd8waxMIT1_2Dm1ceXzHu7TY5Fa5R1g8RaYRNxRp8yZ8XQQcKJpJ2n-/s200/L1100223.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290261871737464098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />BoAn Temple in Taipei is an interesting and complex temple. Many gods are represented and in this busy temple, one can learn much about the Taoist/Shinto practices. You can see more photos of BoAn temple at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrruby/Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-34916431856352931482008-04-17T04:09:00.000-07:002009-01-24T21:01:49.301-08:00Sun Moon Lake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSjBEiJmtRrcByAWjXdem_4FM4fR3_NNviHP13g6w4PsHZ2okeyEygQe878Bry2YSpqjrl-P0oK-oGw1hrVr1_NY-zTikifj-ZhE7cuT0pJ72GugknQeODfA9kSvBHfXUUO23t-WOpbfd/s1600-h/L1050307.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSjBEiJmtRrcByAWjXdem_4FM4fR3_NNviHP13g6w4PsHZ2okeyEygQe878Bry2YSpqjrl-P0oK-oGw1hrVr1_NY-zTikifj-ZhE7cuT0pJ72GugknQeODfA9kSvBHfXUUO23t-WOpbfd/s200/L1050307.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295092046565497746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgZNPAlBwaYFPMm-4Bg3dd-FGPcaMX5dW-IN5EDMNX6IVm9Eo506bnRSq8DQTB933IYlCMER818Lb1kufByoQzXPGwMiBSYAQ5EwYv04PAdZFzmKicqYqS0P1t9pDaaWBL9PH30XK0xqW/s1600-h/L1050214.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgZNPAlBwaYFPMm-4Bg3dd-FGPcaMX5dW-IN5EDMNX6IVm9Eo506bnRSq8DQTB933IYlCMER818Lb1kufByoQzXPGwMiBSYAQ5EwYv04PAdZFzmKicqYqS0P1t9pDaaWBL9PH30XK0xqW/s200/L1050214.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295092045143681586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfmv0lZyBpXvJ6YVyct6HUgpVM18Wq0xYljtCLCcdWjXHAKakSjttijFWyPIj4fANlf96SZ-SqfyyDFuQZAa5YiAVdVr8P-gAZ1lOHQq2-eWXLdVOVRx-oJoTEW4MIV4JOy8sE2BzlyCG/s1600-h/L1050204.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfmv0lZyBpXvJ6YVyct6HUgpVM18Wq0xYljtCLCcdWjXHAKakSjttijFWyPIj4fANlf96SZ-SqfyyDFuQZAa5YiAVdVr8P-gAZ1lOHQq2-eWXLdVOVRx-oJoTEW4MIV4JOy8sE2BzlyCG/s200/L1050204.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295092044917333858" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYphVt56gSj8pAoG_2QQmq9pRP2kJpv5vu6qx_yhOAH0pNM0X17OjjOXUasyUKv1j2lbqm2wZji2Ijv6fxKgSeD5ErQlEi9spDdZNjlIRGp5GB6Y5wyHOiKpGE0mveIalFBR0n7F35Sdxp/s1600-h/lake.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190179008817329026" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYphVt56gSj8pAoG_2QQmq9pRP2kJpv5vu6qx_yhOAH0pNM0X17OjjOXUasyUKv1j2lbqm2wZji2Ijv6fxKgSeD5ErQlEi9spDdZNjlIRGp5GB6Y5wyHOiKpGE0mveIalFBR0n7F35Sdxp/s200/lake.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our second day of travel took us to Sun Moon Lake. Surrounded by green mountains, Sun Moon Lake is the is the largest natural lake in Taiwan. The Eastern part of the lake is round like the sun, while the Western part is shaped like a crescent moon - giving it the name "Sun Moon Lake". The lake is located in Central Taiwan. The beauty of Sun Moon Lake is found in the surrounding mountains. From the lake, tier upon tier of countless peaks can be seen rising up into the sky. The day was warm and the views spectacular, especially as sunset approached and the lake filled with multiple colors of orange and red. The lake has many trails and we took one that led us to a Pecock Farm. More pictures can be seen on my flickr account: http://flickr.com/photos/23521940@N07Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-60959757600764896702008-04-12T02:08:00.000-07:002008-04-17T04:09:03.112-07:00Traveling to Sitou Forest<div align="center">Last week my fri<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188370896788831314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzQWP5QP7NNTyEusdXek93tbkqVNT68U_SPITaEO2F-FVyuSeZEGOyg7_z9UZpzepTzqPSRITb18IoWtkq8PGazbLbpxD23oWySfLqtbfO5uoKDkA_16mvssFINzQnHuqPIbSc5cwAomO/s200/L1050055.jpg" border="0" />ends took Ruben and I on a fabulous trip to see some very special parts of central Taiwan. It is important to remember that Taiwan is quite small. 3 1/2 Taiwans can fit inside of Pennsylvania! So it is possible to drive around Taiwan in just one day, and with their fabulous high speed train, you could probably see the country in half a day! But there is so much to see and the weather and terrain change drastically from 12,000 foot high mountains to planes and oceans. It is a stunningly beautiful country and it is no wonder that it was given the name, Formosa (beautiful island) by a Spaniard who caught a glimpse of the isle from his ship. </div><br /><br />Our first stop was Sitou Forest which is an experimental forest operated by the College of Bio Resources and Agriculture of the National Taiwan University. Giant trees,<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188374500266392690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejqIkZowa_kVa2Ali1xE6SUV-7_SyXilLCYjqBGgRMSzApx2mISikUsRLEHNJxFmG8_2s70qhE1eeEQRReQNzYPZThX1hAI-TiU9DaNyBtkXJKk_L1-6dr-MXNuZXWVbhJ1rwytWAngDe/s200/L1050104.jpg" border="0" /><br />such as giant cryptomerias and chamoecyparis, spruce, cedar and a pure ginko forest, green bamb<br />oo, winding trails, wildlife, including over 7,000 species of birds, gorgeous scenery and fresh air all abound in this ever-cool retreat. My favorite part of Sitou forest was walking the 180 meter skyway nestled among the treetops, over 7 floors above the ground. I loved looking down on the world below and feeling a <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"></span>part of the treetop community of birds, leaves and branches.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188376660634942594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojwEnj1mAW6-9YDCLh_K0fVGJ_AZOmdqtspsCD-XYUqo66lT9pLL4Rj-3_89b7IbQCAyVf_YoRXsYd3eDYCMAfxtPWvrWajQPl4A6Kd6MnKkI48PDutOKhev4uNP5VIgCnE4i8GPnfdNp/s200/L1050070.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />The landmark of Shitou Forest is the man made University Pond. It was originally created to keep logs moist, but has since become a haven to frogs. Here I am hamming it up at the crest of the bridge. You can see more photos on my Flickr site at <a href="http://flickr.com//photos/23521940@N07">http://flickr.com//photos/23521940@N07</a>Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-13065184120863024122008-03-28T17:48:00.000-07:002008-03-28T18:05:20.758-07:00Contemporary TaipeiThis site provides an interesting look at contemporary Taipei and its future. Author Douglas McGray, with photographer, Michael Wolf, visit the city of Taipei searching for its future. They meet many characters along the way, eat a variety of "interesting" local foods and visit many sites. In the pages, I found a very real look at the Taipei I am experiencing. There is depth and long tentacles to the past, resulting in unique creative expression in all directions.<div><br /></div><div>Check out the site below to read the story and enjoy the pics, but be patient..it takes some time to read, but is well worth the wait.<br /><div>http://nytimes.com/indexes/2008/03/30/style/t/index.htm#pageName=30taipeiw </div></div>Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-49137047402942400212008-03-21T22:49:00.000-07:002008-04-17T06:58:46.564-07:00Five Cent Driftwood House<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV5tzivjvqO8WuK9keN5S5lPQHph0Yty96CWB89hVuWmFJDisjgSDBhJCUzucwjqdQhpH5ZTMv6FT-ocWzMC3SJRyRoZZ-MPT7lh-EHUqEQ6bjGzzW3jDklrzXh54J8qRtDKd8QK7LhYb/s1600-h/L1040023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180454980126635922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV5tzivjvqO8WuK9keN5S5lPQHph0Yty96CWB89hVuWmFJDisjgSDBhJCUzucwjqdQhpH5ZTMv6FT-ocWzMC3SJRyRoZZ-MPT7lh-EHUqEQ6bjGzzW3jDklrzXh54J8qRtDKd8QK7LhYb/s200/L1040023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Five-Cent Driftwood House was designed, built and turned into a living sculpture by artist, Li-hsiang Hsieh. Her style is defined through the transformation of varied ad unique building materials into remarkable homes and restaurants is one that is filled with intrigue and magic. She does not call herself an architect and has never received any formal training, not even in art, yet since she was a child she has been putting sticks and found objects together. Building and sculpting is part of the rhythm or her life. I was so amazed by the Five-Cent Driftwood House in Taipei that the food which was beautifully prepared and presented on handmade pottery created by Hsieh, was of less importance to me. Every surface inside and outside of the structure is decorated with sculptural surfaces, artifacts, sculptures and painting. It is all handmade, on location, by Hsieh. This is one of four existing restaurants in Taiwan, all individually created by Hsieh. Please check out my flickr page at http://flickr.com/photos/23521940@N07 for more images. Check out Hsieh's site for additional information at her goals and four restaurants. http://www.five-dime.com.tw.Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-13955151720167181492008-03-17T03:16:00.000-07:002008-03-22T08:31:12.066-07:00Green Ideas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zmvK1hjmiQDIbsUsQC6A4bJaDGzbW656dlbtDSnFgxxWivQtPcFodb6TXpwicbRljTjCCUubgDO5MdNHtqcpZNp4AEetNL5XFV5OU2lb4zoJziIwgfwrGDmQ_t_4t67Vfq5yNSooZstq/s1600-h/L1040251.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zmvK1hjmiQDIbsUsQC6A4bJaDGzbW656dlbtDSnFgxxWivQtPcFodb6TXpwicbRljTjCCUubgDO5MdNHtqcpZNp4AEetNL5XFV5OU2lb4zoJziIwgfwrGDmQ_t_4t67Vfq5yNSooZstq/s200/L1040251.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178670211758510962" border="0" /></a>You can see more photos of the march at my flickr account: http://flickr.com/photos/23521940@NO7<br />Yesterday I was invited to participate in a live performance a the the Green Party (DPP) Political rally in Taipei. There are over 127 political parties registered in Taiwan, but next weeks election has boiled down to a contest between two prominent parties. One is the current presidents' political party, known as the DDP or Democratic Progressive Party which favors permanent political independence from mainland China. The other party is the Chinese Nationalist Party, known as the Kuomintang or KMT party. The DPP is "green" and the "blue party is KMT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpu8MxjqH5EVD8goSOvWwWCQkkQBZ1lK1tOCbrfHJvGCaB98D1ZgMWe3CQ5hgQlBPg4G2NLwJUIZkN0RUPUtMrkLkq9_cJP8bDQEvM6r3VbFK7RB68IfgN_xXSX_Kjc0pQiGSjglEgmm6/s1600-h/L1040257.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpu8MxjqH5EVD8goSOvWwWCQkkQBZ1lK1tOCbrfHJvGCaB98D1ZgMWe3CQ5hgQlBPg4G2NLwJUIZkN0RUPUtMrkLkq9_cJP8bDQEvM6r3VbFK7RB68IfgN_xXSX_Kjc0pQiGSjglEgmm6/s200/L1040257.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178671070751970210" border="0" /></a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My friend Lily, her cousin and her cousin's friend and I met early in the morning at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall. The other participants, about 50 in all, were Taiwanese and right from the start I stuck ou<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOtGNqsGoxTqMSx3CBFmzi3-cBekhI1brDrxIHm_y81nMDXxR8eOnYFxzmK_99Ep8K3rb-y_hg8tT4T2v7ORHO2YG5Err8GP0y3-nNNs4XjQZuzzZjV4ZBcKhEGb2dD-487SOACJwLaxJ/s1600-h/L1040237.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOtGNqsGoxTqMSx3CBFmzi3-cBekhI1brDrxIHm_y81nMDXxR8eOnYFxzmK_99Ep8K3rb-y_hg8tT4T2v7ORHO2YG5Err8GP0y3-nNNs4XjQZuzzZjV4ZBcKhEGb2dD-487SOACJwLaxJ/s200/L1040237.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178669756491977554" border="0" /></a>t like a BIG American! A famous actor and designed a huge Trojan horse and a performance piece we were invited to participate in. The story we performed concerned the poor quality of products exported by China. Characters, dressed as cell phone, candy, oil, toys, food, even milk, lobster and dumplings danced and sang in a choreographed performance. On closer inspection, the poison signs and skull and crossbones painted onto their elaborate costumes became evident. Workers dressed in the blue costumes of China climbed from the Trojan horse where smoke and dirt spewed out onto the crowd. A huge replica of China's president presided over all. Suddenly the good guys (th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj1BRKLWAofLXkuOBGVDH0aLzZhqvhKcBfe6dU5wsAADWsXS4rN_qqXNbHaCYSD-6aaAgxX_ukM035h2mKegxGUmfg__DbjVdPgkezsRC0-DGeX-8-Sk3sn_bf6Z52zp3YQDhyLkpO19_/s1600-h/L1040242.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj1BRKLWAofLXkuOBGVDH0aLzZhqvhKcBfe6dU5wsAADWsXS4rN_qqXNbHaCYSD-6aaAgxX_ukM035h2mKegxGUmfg__DbjVdPgkezsRC0-DGeX-8-Sk3sn_bf6Z52zp3YQDhyLkpO19_/s200/L1040242.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178670383557202818" border="0" /></a>at's me!) came running out carrying huge canisters of CO2. All 20 of us herded the workers and dangerous export products away, gassing the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYQs2W-qPhy2Hy0S5fsmfd3njFA_Ys30n5Hv3XdMQCARJxMgvLUhupURMowe4Qv87GC911zvpHZslN1yREzJHEH-BzXat5IKMm286ATXxqlfZ7N_g_PPm7ERtuuUq5jcNbXyFF7cx2j86/s1600-h/L1040233.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYQs2W-qPhy2Hy0S5fsmfd3njFA_Ys30n5Hv3XdMQCARJxMgvLUhupURMowe4Qv87GC911zvpHZslN1yREzJHEH-BzXat5IKMm286ATXxqlfZ7N_g_PPm7ERtuuUq5jcNbXyFF7cx2j86/s200/L1040233.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178669932585636706" border="0" /></a>m until our canisters were empty. We then cried out about our victory and began to push the horse around the city of Taipei. Tens of thousands of people followed us, high-fiving everyone. The figures jumped along the roadways and politicians climbed aboard the horse and stood inside the huge windows waving at the crowds. A cotillion of Japanese senators also joined in. It was an amazing experience. I have gone to many peace rallies in DC, but this one topped them all.<br /><br /><br /><br />Although I was hounded by the news media all day, the only statement I made was that I love Taiwan and that in America we have the same problem with imports from China..rememb<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4NvNR_jdNpXQqe-y_z__gWpMZUPML_iMh6UKgIvohD6QqbUrrPeCMj2ggusUbj_COm0g71J02XpUp2MQwh3DCzY59EpfeWfYewmopXkRfDBYp5FdNJvo6xFqVYlldBE4BFVGsgn_DqBc/s1600-h/L1040273.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4NvNR_jdNpXQqe-y_z__gWpMZUPML_iMh6UKgIvohD6QqbUrrPeCMj2ggusUbj_COm0g71J02XpUp2MQwh3DCzY59EpfeWfYewmopXkRfDBYp5FdNJvo6xFqVYlldBE4BFVGsgn_DqBc/s200/L1040273.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178670589715633042" border="0" /></a>er the lead painted toys at Christmastime? I honestly did not know enough to comment on anything else related to this election. Taiwan is a democracy and this exercise of freedom of speech was both real and amazing to be a part of. I will never forget the hundreds of hands I touched, the eyes that sparkled into mine and the words of gratitude I received for being a part of this important event.Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-58409200893178252212008-03-02T00:50:00.000-08:002008-03-02T05:02:00.619-08:00Zhinan Temple<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUYEE_07pls0gN35PlsSI7vwrTiWMvazpeiQv8d3urc40QLvxMArd79A639xbE1c0Y1DOL2Xl8yrjRvuOH18f_nml0bOaNMFKjVVhw0ykaIK7LDxy38AYgdgS96Iah3wTYn6MXAjk12yp/s1600-h/L1030764.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUYEE_07pls0gN35PlsSI7vwrTiWMvazpeiQv8d3urc40QLvxMArd79A639xbE1c0Y1DOL2Xl8yrjRvuOH18f_nml0bOaNMFKjVVhw0ykaIK7LDxy38AYgdgS96Iah3wTYn6MXAjk12yp/s200/L1030764.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173102786108201314" border="0" /></a><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJq0XkeFdNsv0YYjIOMJkYYulZxrdTrVhstGpv9OZtIhCV4ZSpWJ94fyZxyl18xcn8Tf8-lDGkdQSDFVaF_UJT88KYdWnVtxJIohyc1N5imBywSIiImy0B2TNY9rKTVPB-i8rj2KsIh2cz/s200/L1030773.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173102914957220210" border="0" /><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhOcJATt6IKOhrW33WgTalGK9SqlZ-0_pNsKX_wBQNEN4fGzHff6vG9qMan9rZ3WIypf0sdZ0ivGuWVW8G0zJqftoNQA7MWbw1FgfdQYoEovk-nRecGv-LI4ghtPSFFNocoGXS0_qsUAI/s200/L1030785.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173104280756820354" border="0" /><br />I have posted my photos on http://flickr.com/photos/23521940@N07<div>Please copy and paste the link into your browser to view. Then select the Zhinan Temple from my sets.<br /><br />Yesterday was a beautiful day and my friends, Jessica and Steven, treated Chiu-Jhin and I to a terrific home-cooked Italian meal. They live in the San Francisco area of Taiwan. I think of it that way because of the way the buildings are built into the sides of the mountainous terrain.</div><div>After lunch we walked up along a wonderful mountain road with streams and waterfalls to the awesome mountain temple of Zhinan. Check my flicker account to see an unusual fern tree. The fern top dies at the end of the season, leaving a tall trunk that has a cool oval pattern. A new fern grows from the top of the trunk in the new season.</div><div><br /></div><div>The temple is a beautiful example of the architectural style that combines northern, Chinese and southern Taiwanese ideas, creating a uniquely Taiwanese structure. The structure was built in 1890 and can be reached from a stairway of 1200 curved steps. The religion at this temple is Taoism. There are many registered religions in Taiwan. The most popular one is Buddhism and the second most popular is Taoism. Over 4.5 million Taiwanese follow this religion. The religion evolved from the teachings of Lao Tsu, who lived during the 6th Century BC. Taoists believe that religion is the fulfillment of divinity. Taoists use incense and food offerings for prayer and worshop. There are many Taoist temples throughout Taiwan and most of them are distinguished with a colorful, sculptured roofline. One must enter the temple on the right and exit it on the left-side. The temple's surfaces are filled with colorful and historical images that relate stories. People line up to be doused in incense from head to toes as volunteers wave large incense sticks over every person. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Just inside each entrance stands a large cauldron where people like their incense sticks, leaving them there to honor the god of the sky. When incense sticks are lit up, the person holding them bows towards the god or altar three times in quick succession. Leaving offerings such as religious paper money and various kinds of fresh and packaged foods is common. Plus there are large glass cabinets for donating bills and coins as well as for making larger donations. Zhinan Temple honors one of the eight immortals, Lu Dongbun. Folklore has it that he is jealous of young lovers, so couples who are unmarried do not go to this temple alone, for fear that he will cause them to break-up. </div><div><br /></div><div>Surrounding the temple are many gardens and pathways through the landscaped walkways that are both traditional and totally gorgeous. The Taoist Institute of China is connected to the Zhilan Temple. I was fortunate to hear a performance of the monks. It was another one for the memory books. The views were spectacular. It was great to be in the sweet, fresh air and enjoy the peaceful gardens and fresh spring blooms.<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-9514477567717388022008-02-29T01:40:00.000-08:002008-02-29T02:06:02.347-08:00On My Way to WorkGoing to work is a visual feast. My neighborhood is filled with interesting shops. Han-Jung street has many costume stores where all manner of costumes are available. There are also many sign makers and trophy shops where finished trophies are sold. But there are other shops as well where signs are painted. That means that there are calligraphers working along my street as well. When the weather is warm, everyone seems to move out into the street, giving me a good view of what projects they are working on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwp1W_7Vn35hDrcbiL5kU5AXukogQSoU2JtHEgWCXEJcgUW8oVoPpnYv_cODipF_Vb7JM-1pYEp5mQG-El3mr9KojOehkVnlY-BMlqJufjtkMR5QwW5Yyl28aCgqGn3kWVzMJgNEHaED4/s1600-h/L1030704.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwp1W_7Vn35hDrcbiL5kU5AXukogQSoU2JtHEgWCXEJcgUW8oVoPpnYv_cODipF_Vb7JM-1pYEp5mQG-El3mr9KojOehkVnlY-BMlqJufjtkMR5QwW5Yyl28aCgqGn3kWVzMJgNEHaED4/s200/L1030704.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172338904699771058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjuq9-GULYo8L8R95XJjokRJMMQuslpzLfB6ivrco6dAd5UBdGeu-jmAlFnhBlcXMb1OcL49eaUmXk9ZzBZOrmWEN_Dvd8izHHvhLrJk1aUGSNTXz76-x47qUeQvCNhyphenhyphen5y_LI9Yt_zcEv/s1600-h/L1030698.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjuq9-GULYo8L8R95XJjokRJMMQuslpzLfB6ivrco6dAd5UBdGeu-jmAlFnhBlcXMb1OcL49eaUmXk9ZzBZOrmWEN_Dvd8izHHvhLrJk1aUGSNTXz76-x47qUeQvCNhyphenhyphen5y_LI9Yt_zcEv/s200/L1030698.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172339162397808834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ieDoBApFP3ykeB0m8kAMoCYb4f4bVK7-scnbAIisiMx_sYylmUXXHnZ_Mv2mUpqGGI3g0WbQ-G5OGPRBvWXSgv7UYgJQEuJllQVrVFf5ORmTPGMKKwdLrO2sMJGfQxHsVj4SVlhDswsO/s1600-h/L1030708.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ieDoBApFP3ykeB0m8kAMoCYb4f4bVK7-scnbAIisiMx_sYylmUXXHnZ_Mv2mUpqGGI3g0WbQ-G5OGPRBvWXSgv7UYgJQEuJllQVrVFf5ORmTPGMKKwdLrO2sMJGfQxHsVj4SVlhDswsO/s200/L1030708.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172339338491467986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnzPUEfTwBuZ-x9o22s2dnNGW1Na4-yn10AoNNwT24eoftXiP-TzbAD3UBNnLFYQWNKrzrej_UCNxEeP9i8R3xhh4igzm3Mc9dMGUiuTJLS0iafzuo0l9OjR8fJwft-80sJfiwi1l6I2L/s1600-h/L1030689.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnzPUEfTwBuZ-x9o22s2dnNGW1Na4-yn10AoNNwT24eoftXiP-TzbAD3UBNnLFYQWNKrzrej_UCNxEeP9i8R3xhh4igzm3Mc9dMGUiuTJLS0iafzuo0l9OjR8fJwft-80sJfiwi1l6I2L/s200/L1030689.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172337251137362050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGc5NkEV0FNm99sreTcLYmb-aZ8-K8_XJZCc9nOFKddrL9hAiHcSmlOEm7PsGeTzCnsowxB46R-Zv5LVq23zRP6GGZyaLrspU8His-S11nrt6veOG6wKU-gwRn1iA6N3agukZPo7kDfCHO/s1600-h/L1030690.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGc5NkEV0FNm99sreTcLYmb-aZ8-K8_XJZCc9nOFKddrL9hAiHcSmlOEm7PsGeTzCnsowxB46R-Zv5LVq23zRP6GGZyaLrspU8His-S11nrt6veOG6wKU-gwRn1iA6N3agukZPo7kDfCHO/s200/L1030690.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172337474475661458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6ZKZ77Pdt7eG7s8bd0tanCdzccy1cHrFdlMoO3amprK6_F0tKw475UNmK4Yip48eox8JrfSyIiwSAH7b8V-WfQxjFfm4nPh3uDnx_Nluj-J_Cy5lQ8L_0nwUHWZwFoEl2UcH9rnIjJki/s1600-h/L1030701.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6ZKZ77Pdt7eG7s8bd0tanCdzccy1cHrFdlMoO3amprK6_F0tKw475UNmK4Yip48eox8JrfSyIiwSAH7b8V-WfQxjFfm4nPh3uDnx_Nluj-J_Cy5lQ8L_0nwUHWZwFoEl2UcH9rnIjJki/s200/L1030701.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172338616936962210" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Please copy and paste the following link to view images of my walk to work on my flicker account. http://flickr.com/photos/23521940@N07/Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-9916771705138240382008-02-22T22:39:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:17:03.907-08:00The Lantern Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4VZ4KLRI8NG6O-6sTYgBHYKx89-ndfzWy8NPYDAtoo7-INZE6G4EHJclrL4-7TFCEl8mcEFvvTyLtuRhOcQeSgmcOJy_0umkDZTP6FwvTyokJsvlRErDVdJ6vhnIb967yYRB4dLxNjC9/s1600-h/L1030331.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4VZ4KLRI8NG6O-6sTYgBHYKx89-ndfzWy8NPYDAtoo7-INZE6G4EHJclrL4-7TFCEl8mcEFvvTyLtuRhOcQeSgmcOJy_0umkDZTP6FwvTyokJsvlRErDVdJ6vhnIb967yYRB4dLxNjC9/s200/L1030331.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170071948617224562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZpKWcLxNpSZSJDRWH9YtXVQGLQIN96CQgG1ww8bb4Bjux8x-li06IAAPGPsyH3EKLDJrOMT_FwaqWUa64cV-u9kvr4FYDswGfG9F51cVCoJUPsnaBTulacyVOAfWceFVs1bIwfBnNEXe/s1600-h/L1030345.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZpKWcLxNpSZSJDRWH9YtXVQGLQIN96CQgG1ww8bb4Bjux8x-li06IAAPGPsyH3EKLDJrOMT_FwaqWUa64cV-u9kvr4FYDswGfG9F51cVCoJUPsnaBTulacyVOAfWceFVs1bIwfBnNEXe/s200/L1030345.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170071729573892450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2VZCUMWh4WoGKpzWLQfTgahae5NmMcp-V6ksk1QXM38vp__nEbWHKIRHk67slQy9vVixpmWAz-jnsu0am3rTbHirrztJ1xKo_kUJUZPLEa3S9Ngf-VZTuzMnUWkdcPNbNB9fTUKa0e0Z/s1600-h/L1030388.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2VZCUMWh4WoGKpzWLQfTgahae5NmMcp-V6ksk1QXM38vp__nEbWHKIRHk67slQy9vVixpmWAz-jnsu0am3rTbHirrztJ1xKo_kUJUZPLEa3S9Ngf-VZTuzMnUWkdcPNbNB9fTUKa0e0Z/s200/L1030388.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170066717347057954" /></a><br />The Chinese Lunar Festival comes to an end each year with the Lantern Festival. I have been to several different celebrations, one up in the mountains in a lovely and historical town, called Shifen and the other at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial, just six subway stops from my apartment in Ximen. The celebrations were totally different. My friends Steven, Jessica and their beagle, Macho, and I drove up into the foggy and ancient mountains last Sunday for an experience that I will never forget. I felt as if I was inside of a Chinese Ink Painting and every turn was more beautiful than the next. In the small town, we wrote our wishes for the new year onto a huge red lantern. We did them in Chinese Calligraphy. The lantern was then fired up and lifted into the sky. It is believed that the messages are going directly to God and will surely come true. I made many special wishes, as they did, including my constant wish of Peace on Earth. The experience was very meaningful for me and as I watched many other families and friends create their lanterns, and send them flying upwards, I had the feeling that they felt the same. The faces were so alight with joy and a sense of wonder. The innocent and adorable children always steal my heart.<div> </div><div><br /></div><div>The celebrati</div><div>on at the SYS Memorial was glitzy and totally awesome. The talent displayed in the creation of many lanterns and 3-D animated</div><div> structures, light art displays was simply extraordinary. Each of the displays had a theme. </div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYqwpkXZ2t0ruPU0eILLzFF1qr6-_xjrIPrcWrJ3B8SZHvc9OqywRmo4BpG6jH-hFQTpN2-7dJolNsT2y1asdaJjW0ZK7eOE6DxmzaglB8b2Y0szYCCusNZxuXVZ1EL0mnBdKDhIQcQEB/s200/L1030560.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170066979340063026" /><div>Some pictured a celebration of life in Taipei or Taiwan, and some were celebrations of the New Year, 2008 and of the Year of the Rat. The rat has great significance in the Chines culture as it is the symbol for opportunity and good prospects. The rat is thought of as a mouse and there are many </div><div>symbols of our American favorites, Mickey and Minnie!</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JffBzzfPnwEVMogRttkv2Lp1-giz_rxMQBvjGKC3RgEvzsKsayzbIzL8koODRxg94WYs5Lf8QGzus2yknk4ya_RJ_LRYu5Xhia5dmU-KvR1XxjgWXWXyOhqtkiQtAIhQywen_UwhrchJ/s200/L1030506.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170067700894568770" /><div>Both professional displays and student creations were part of the exhibition. I was ver</div><div>y impressed with the crafting of every item I saw. Generally, these lanterns are</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd1bU8rv6jiER5_fajI2Aj3R4u3OaG9NdZFiBXoQLA24JCNVNlnL_C6LKdr_xjbPojfpk7Az6f9iYxF7f_7kCQZaOywH_sLW3xkOwL5o2a5_wTAiF3S19-VEjsHubibI4yI7T-0nbKJbp/s200/L1030527.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170069461831160146" /><div> more like Japanese Ikari, where the structure if first created in wire. Then paper or cloth is stretched over the wire and glued in place. The light structures were equally awesome and line the boulevards.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3oysXOzIy7h4-8sr7hE6ku8dFjBVB-8fFlkRyeXHVXAODKSLQG6Gm4e83lvKBDMBofB2M6l64y8r4aRe7kKT_ujJONh85BqXwvjrGEzxZ94JnPwoH5rBV6rmOHyb_WUKKaa-RDic7BdI/s200/L1030640.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170072863445258642" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7qk3Tp50qE5ZaAzoxMHzFrTrM-rvQwpGasVVIqdQ6LEAiGUPJtTGadRGJFPHRXZPLuXwdeZCcbXoMQkq4-kXncTypSElXqnzrTuJbCAaVcuDAvVL4dti2Jx0Y4IQODsZPI_VjMhEBelk/s200/L1030639.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170086182138843554" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAODcBBf3wFYcbpCv0q3aMp_Fcks7DGJSaZNfjZH9_H0pEX4JbPnPDF7WPk9pBhgqyo5DscDBDMq-WecoopvaZ1bZHfLy0nO9tK3WIlKtQqSwRBmGxhYtM3hplR6w8JEMU2diCeWQwhBqb/s200/L1030661.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170086517146292658" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2SvOzzMbVXJEHoQmONH4RK7mE62mdrhnWMg3OTlRbFuMIsb4J-20cRmHSl7O_AWBOoXXFSQQzzADJufERKjEnMkVwTq7mI4C9BFGIMnFWM-uUAM_D7jTvrXDv6AER0mAWL9Fdbbj_C9a/s200/L1030642.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170072455423365506" />Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-19115142759390810962008-02-13T21:57:00.000-08:002008-02-13T23:46:46.485-08:00Happy Valentine's Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkigoCeuNi6UlqtDVg5qZ90GM3y_5OFNhVAld1od78d55u-eaNBwnfUYQHKh5k1FV9kKfBI-Q5ZwqjtaJkGL0dAW_-mCJUqjaIDqoHiyYvccjjhb8V2GOABo7qL5RG0xpHaL6JDK6Ldcvs/s1600-h/L1030275.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkigoCeuNi6UlqtDVg5qZ90GM3y_5OFNhVAld1od78d55u-eaNBwnfUYQHKh5k1FV9kKfBI-Q5ZwqjtaJkGL0dAW_-mCJUqjaIDqoHiyYvccjjhb8V2GOABo7qL5RG0xpHaL6JDK6Ldcvs/s200/L1030275.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166711690758885538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyic80cwpUjVU0HvjroCSuC8_qIs-WKBsnoMVFm_qPDIN3Ve2_CNLsRKhiqwsbXPDedKw7yQGYBoy6Y6nChfFZ8b97QYoJSlSqXrxemL1wHdORIXXo7Db30F-tF-wlZDSBWr97ROiLQ6y/s1600-h/L1030274.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyic80cwpUjVU0HvjroCSuC8_qIs-WKBsnoMVFm_qPDIN3Ve2_CNLsRKhiqwsbXPDedKw7yQGYBoy6Y6nChfFZ8b97QYoJSlSqXrxemL1wHdORIXXo7Db30F-tF-wlZDSBWr97ROiLQ6y/s200/L1030274.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166711518960193682" /></a><br />Here are some very special Asian-style Valentine bouquets. The western tradition around Valentine's Day is becoming very popular. Candy, flowers and advertisements and sweet little Happy Valentine's Day wishes from the stations on TV are all quite common. But the most beautiful Valentine bouquet I saw is the one that was sent to me from all the way from around the world by wonderful boyfriend, Ruben. There are two dozen perfectly, in bloo<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQMXfKWI7QmTQiglq4xtOCi9iafYOv4L1pMcV1ZVvCOgnMuVFu9S3dyS-2IeFpsvMGdJ68Gm1kX-TSXERwMtjKmTQuIWK4U8uaMZO36oHHTKANCjDlvmFB6oQR2DEtw86uxk9CXjRtPIa/s200/smallL1030288+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166715070898147506" />m, red roses. Sprinkled with the arrangement are little yellow buttercups, some graceful thready branch structures and some shiny twisty pieces. The whole thing is sitting in a vase, wrapped in green handmade paper with a big yellow ribbon. You've got style, Rube! Thanks honey for making your lonely gal very happy today! (Oh the little bun at the bottom right is a little memory of my last trip to Danshui. It is in the shape of a rat because this year is the Year of the Rat..or Mouse as they say here in Taipei!)Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-88154422870714868302008-02-13T17:23:00.000-08:002008-02-23T07:49:48.755-08:00Welcome to My World<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6exhhL-8HtjveIrCYolE0mgKoQ04icF7ZJl3UBWLw23jebmOxOV9GNeF6du62CDa_YxELUm56AzLlAKk5cAXa86iMKwxTm3af30E_IH0YVvnWR6yUovvzdUS4xicfRv-691SzulvJSJn/s1600-h/L1030205.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6exhhL-8HtjveIrCYolE0mgKoQ04icF7ZJl3UBWLw23jebmOxOV9GNeF6du62CDa_YxELUm56AzLlAKk5cAXa86iMKwxTm3af30E_IH0YVvnWR6yUovvzdUS4xicfRv-691SzulvJSJn/s200/L1030205.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166685933840011330" /></a><br /><br />My everyday life in Taiwan is in many ways different from the one I lived in Carlisle. But there are some surprising similarities. Life has commonalities everywhere. In this post, I am going to introduce you to where I live and show you some pretty common place things and some very special people that make my life over here just a little bit nicer. The picture to the left shows a group of my friends standing in Ximen just outside of my apartment. We had all just come back from a lovely farewell tea for Rachael and Anthony at a modern teahouse, called, "61 Cups." Later on I will introduce my friends individually, but for right now please take in the wild and crazy environment of lights and stores. Just behind them to the right is the subway station. A far cry from the farm!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Just inside my front door, sits our doorman who, despite my best efforts at communication, tells everyone he cannot understand a word I say! There are many mailboxes. </div><div>But I do not have a key so you can't send me anything. But inside are all of my bills. I can peek in the slot and see them all in there. I am just waiting for the electricity </div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknQl4CAF2dwKXmKblwQnuoaXH4_u-9kbQEyxuUYiZFKYUNCzT3K2YPu5XR0mMTlMZuQYaN8dDjF3NtqmSIoWLal-b0aDLcoCiKNEKFBO42sXbf__l21UbYW5Ve1zNHZPXFPCvTEqnt-WY/s200/L1030256.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166649907654332066" />and water to be cut off. Then I will<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>be evicted! Who is paying the rent?The picture to the right shows the stairs l<div>eading to my apartment. There is an elevator too, but I take the stairs as part of my daily fitness regiment. Since it is only 3 floors, it is</div><div> pretty easy to </div><div>accomplish.</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbkJxJ5wirCaQHHXDYMrWn5bw9wxWhb4JEklmuJMgo6drpHDHB8JmQshQCARkYZe4cqeCUTTMD7mFYAcY3it2EDE5Okb0oe_aJE1uReSihW7eNPb_PiHLLGxWyituSmay0pFDzxuinHbo/s200/L1030283.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166687123545952386" /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is my front door. Notice that I have all of the red signs up wishing everyone a Happy New Year and Good Fortune. With these signs, I have protected my home from Nien, the monster!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xpjLujUm9H0cOdgX-RY_N8e1goMm2UgwXuGfpfkh6NUAhTNAUcVlVmtoQbmFkl1dSkMUb_JhUq3ANaPCADniCTL4eUDY6ryTjjNUPEM38676EXCV6UEjsdjt146u4gqslbZISTDD11nY/s200/L1030284.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166686487890792546" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Check out the unusual key! This is a common kind of a key and must be turned three times once it is inserted in the lock. The lock moves into position part way with each turn. You might also notice my grocery club card hanging on the keychain. Just like home!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo4a7lmj-o0Q8yivchPnSy2eB4d8euA5wYYzQI6nq8oD7MM3ri2AKq2grGOI6PpZElxYouaqX3X2GJ37zdy6tjnuX8Qjv5DcyZqk1C9abuM26c2tdJRLVnSfPDw5v74f9RA6RWYrP9g87/s200/L1030232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166686792833470578" /><div>T the left, you can see what I see when I walk in </div><div>my front door..a view of my very narrow living space. The T.V. complete with HBO and Cinemax plus two other movie stations is on the left. The couch folds down into a great sleep over bed. Just behind the couch is my little office space where I am sitting right now! It looks out onto </div><div>a very busy street filed with scooters, cars, busses, people, dogs and stores. At night I can hear all of the voices of the hawkers selling their yams and the hawkers selling their yams and special drinks. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG_A0tgtOMA0YCGE1mFJaG47dP7b1D9HNOOp5gdoHRNYPOLRH3xJX9Ix2BUugNTLB4oi9_OH_AQl-AFwcpSTPRZ3lWKZbMW7atXxxQRHm1Ht1VzLd_JH_xOvNHLLAWnpZXcNoE6TygCVo/s200/L1030230.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166686062689030226" /></div><div>The view of my bedroom is on the left. I have a very large free standing closet in which to store my clothing</div><div>. The headboard on the bed opens up as a storage space. You can see some of my recent paintings decorating my bedroom.</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YTNYstLNXqrUlUp0j9IEWa4ieUha8-S76MIi-Ce4DK6AbWuTDy6VoG6NFJ7XjGfdgawBYvlR8MIXxef1v0XIgGVaTO7hP6MUMyJ3LP26jL_Hom7ojULlilprdYggK8Vv8FoFXJazjTiT/s200/L1030244.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166672778355183426" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The bathroom has a fabulously large shower. Very surprising considering the smallness of the apartment. I can actually store my umbrellas and a stool in there..and yes I have a western style toilet! The washing machine is featured in this image as well as the water heater.</div><div><br /></div><div>The kitchen has some really unusual features. The stove has one burner. So cooking dinner has become a challenge, but it is doable! Those of you who go camping know just what I am talking about. What is really cool about this stove is that one..it is portable and two: it shuts off the second I turn it off and is not hot on the surface at all! The refrigerator has three parts. The top is a small freezer, the middle is just for things like juices and food, leftovers, etc. The bottom is a special storage area fro veggies and fruit. I open up just the section I need, preserving energy all the time. It is common to have a bag of open coffee granuals in each section to ensure a nice odor.<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr0HFnDAoGWnrev23kbinI7kVMzB2pWf2ZJru_8BWWY1YaSKjEMqMY-pMRmMdTCPXLnNjLpbasI1g3NDhu4ReRIgm1rgKIBR18jWW-ZNaZh47UUS2ATbFYy0Opa_TgbTaBqT345bU6M0t/s200/L1030235.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170202966594589138" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9dxuqT48DFdR34cxEXVD2jS29dqqyG4SeTihNdKzQ1BICz66_VN9Gm7FVcaxyx2StVrMmxsBOaASHszg9I4-11PSKfKomekans_4KYDU4Y1ju-0mAf0puvmD954i7RUFica_tFrTUI4W/s200/L1030254.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166678529316392882" /><div>This has provided you with a good picture of my apartment, but it would not be complete without SKYPE and the wonderful people I get to see there each and every day. Here are my two favorites!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFGfbR-SiGUY1Kw_Btq00W9kCKLJ_95LL5iKu_J-PKEQL5crgIQ_L_ckmh6Lguu0HgQBBoZC6hT8qq8Ij9cppnlq03RCCPt3UOXrCYvV3J6qxA7ab4v6VrVsiZrP-TRGQAZCmmw-fR1Dk/s200/L1030285.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166679834986450882" />Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-88000718790917675322008-02-10T08:08:00.000-08:002008-02-10T18:33:30.770-08:00Huo Guo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD5mkDg7y7UrgzoSEJxkcroIZnFo8e8IQluPRwB7J3EjoYahXPV2S0_hq1Y_JMEX5PgpEiPuRPo8VnHQnF6TIbBFqt4T4GzHwNBKaMrNiuzIK17sgEAmoILlkSmQMYLFV39aBjLtfYa4P/s1600-h/11XWRV8F69L.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD5mkDg7y7UrgzoSEJxkcroIZnFo8e8IQluPRwB7J3EjoYahXPV2S0_hq1Y_JMEX5PgpEiPuRPo8VnHQnF6TIbBFqt4T4GzHwNBKaMrNiuzIK17sgEAmoILlkSmQMYLFV39aBjLtfYa4P/s200/11XWRV8F69L.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165397911802646066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRSJ9gr5yQjnuP-vLDPtdlPExaj83eftjtU9MVRmP3xh1mCZiKOgSKqqIC8fjnXSvK2r68Ct8hIjTPFxcFgJLKpZB54sUXnB8oYLAFW7d6oEdWX5CMtBtw5GW1bEP0uDV_isv0_6IpnjF/s1600-h/burner.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRSJ9gr5yQjnuP-vLDPtdlPExaj83eftjtU9MVRmP3xh1mCZiKOgSKqqIC8fjnXSvK2r68Ct8hIjTPFxcFgJLKpZB54sUXnB8oYLAFW7d6oEdWX5CMtBtw5GW1bEP0uDV_isv0_6IpnjF/s200/burner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165397606859968034" /></a>This blog post is dedicated to my absolute favorite meal in Taiwan, huo guo (haw gwa.) Huo guo is a type of cooking that is done in a hot pot. Is is sort of like fondue, only the food is cooked in soup, not oil. Each person has their own individual hot pot, with their own controls. Sometimes there is a single large hot pot that is shared by an entire group, but the mini hot pot restaurants have become very popular. After choosing a flavor of soup for cooking, a large platter of beautifully cut and washed vegetables plus your choice of meats, fish or tofu are prepared for each person. You also choose betw<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIMBf0YBZ-XTLUwBrYJ3vHyoFhgMWmLQjVwtmAheROY_DFxu1O8GZIUwa9PG47Fhtqu0ZGM3Ac748T1er3cU_7fe8QReMgBAcwKBKlcS_piPagDDsEOQ_PXTfhAxbInNRm5quyYe9Uqof/s200/P1010121.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165399110098521698" />een fan (rice) or mien (noodles.) The mien have to be cooked as well. Typically the platter has some enokitake mushrooms, cabbage, seasonal greens, a slice of corn on the cob, taro, onion, doufu (tofu), sweet potato, pumpkin or squash, tomato wedges, crab sticks, fish balls and sometimes a square, hard piece that is made from rice mixed with pig's blood (ugh!) But you can also oder a totally vegetarian platter that included more doufu.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Once the burner is turned on, the controls are adjusted and the cooking begins. Individual pieces of vegetables, meats (lamb, beef, chicken, stomach,) fish (oysters, shrimp) and doufu (tofu) are placed in the boiling cauldron. Combinations of things that are cooked together yield especially delicious results. Chopsticks as well as strainers and ladles are provided for cooking and eating. </div><div><br /></div><div>Each restaurant has a sauce bar, where you make your own personal combination of condiments and spices. My favorite has been cilantro, green onion, garlic, some brown good smelling stuff that I think is vinegar, plus soy sauce. YUM! Many other spices are available, like barbecue sauce called "sha cha sauce" (made from peanuts and ground up dried fish, similar to a stay sauce) but I am very content with my limited palette! Usually a basket of raw eggs are available to add to the soup or sauce to thicken it up. Each restaurant has some specialty items that are added to the veggie plate. A few fish balls, a couple of flower-like tofu slices and a few sausages, pickles and chunks of root. The root is placed in the soup for more flavor.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV1oKgzlGfRt-ZaMp-HygfymD0Keo5KP7_LaPvE9-D5fZn2oSEEaL9lkk_7HmCV4vog45uCyuvDbRRSDpQd9IT0V8XXSbI8KE08zZOmMQxlzcx4zKqIZnxQLCaz-_nioUW0UomF0AL-63/s200/P1010125.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165398289759768146" /><div>After the food is cooked, it is lifted out of the cauldron, dipped in the sauce, laid on top of the fan or mien and gobbled up. The flavor is just so excellent, fresh and delicious, everytime. I love that I know exactly what I am eating and can make choices that suit me. Rachael is sampling her vegetarian and medicinal herb huo guo.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Some restaurants specialize in other forms of huo guo, such as sour and spicy kimchee or the ultimate spicy huo guo ma la (don't try this one unless you REALLY love spicy food.) There is often a tomato base, a medicinal herb and a Japanese-style curry flavor to choose from. I have always selected the house soup, which is a default soup, unique to each restaurant and often made from carefully guarded, secret ingredients. Does that sound scary?</div><div><br /></div><div>The hot pot, as huo guo is sometimes called, is featured in other Asian countries. In Japanese, it is call, "shabu." There are many shabu restaurants in my neighborhood that feature the spicy ma la version. It is also poular in Mongolia, only the shape of the hot pot has a cone for keeping the soup warm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Preparing and eating huo guo, requires a great deal of time and is a perfect dining experience to share with friends and family. There is plenty of time for relaxing conversations and discussions as each person cooks and eats their meals. I have been pricing out hot pots and most are around 700 NT..about $20. Not surprisingly, Amazon carries a wide variety, plus cookbooks! You can tell, this is one eating experience I will be bringing back to the States!</div>Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-25341637248087378762008-02-06T08:16:00.000-08:002008-02-11T04:01:42.408-08:00Chinese New Year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_wplomLXtU1n9jwPfkrQH3aanNU1KbHdQ0oMjrDQXl1InrldSJTtTW8euKQZ5fzEOR4fzw1ucA20-XbctJoueFSAKSdPrVt2WnW4VIjOqcJTHWGm9PkOrSPZ9IVF-kp1UXWLIFxamNEC/s1600-h/L1020452.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_wplomLXtU1n9jwPfkrQH3aanNU1KbHdQ0oMjrDQXl1InrldSJTtTW8euKQZ5fzEOR4fzw1ucA20-XbctJoueFSAKSdPrVt2WnW4VIjOqcJTHWGm9PkOrSPZ9IVF-kp1UXWLIFxamNEC/s200/L1020452.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164048589963043186" /></a><br />For weeks, people all over Taiwan have been preparing for the most important traditional holiday of the year, the Chinese New Year. Preparing the home by cleaning it, repairing and painting, etc is a common part of the tradition. Homes are filled with fresh flowers which symbolize rebirth and new growth. Fireworks are frequent and cardboard and blow-up symbols of firecrackers are seen everywhere. Visits to shrines are common. <div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>Traditional foods are prepared and families gather together. Oranges and tangerines with their leaves intact are given as gifts by visitors and symbolize that ones relationship remains intact. A candy tray arranged in a circle or octagon is called the "Tray of Togetherness" </div><div>and contains a dazzling array of candy. After eating several pieces, you will be assured to start the New Year sweetly.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>It is tradition for married couples to return to the family of the husband for New Year's Eve and the first day of the </div><div>new year and then to visit the home of the wife's family on the second day of the new year. This means that many families are traveling during these days, shops are closed and the entire</div><div> country is on the move, celebrating with loved ones. Many Taiwanese return to Taiwan from w</div><div>herever they live in the world for their family celebrations. </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN4YJz18G4luLwOJCP_9SNq_BH63sGCioeeUetE1HSODSactjZ_8EZ_Hb6IAZ5zOOb8-LiwFMHVu_CCqJQiS-gRDL_dG3cvO6RflgxA5j9dVlc-B1O8V1iObjaU2GhlmZ2iWNzYryTYzf/s200/L1030149.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164050604302705042" /><div>Decorations are hung in doorways wishing people happiness, health and most of all, good fortune in the New Year. A typical message on a poster might read, " May you enjoy continuous good health." The color red is used to ward off the bad things symbolized by Nien, a mean monster everyone imagines. Shops spring up everywhere, in fact, whole streets of shops laden with bright red posters, signs and mobiles, baskets, specialty plants and flowers are open just for the weeks preceding</div><div> the holiday. It is a traditional holiday that focuses on reunion and Thanksgiving. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXddKcrzhl-3pJI4lFkMObrjwPJFNy3U9Q2lKGiYLGmrd4frhadw1VpWhHSH1pqdQCHs3K57CIAcRhHIpjjjkmWMqLZcyh9bjnXAOGf7wp3ZtdiPnpEpolJSpzQWz-jhdPwTIZ7BklufY6/s200/L1030157.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164057093998289346" /><div>The celebration in traditional Taiwanese households is religious and focuses on heaven and earth, the gods of the household and the family. Ancestors are honored and remembered with deep respect for they laid the foundation for the family that exists today. Visits to burial sites are common. The enormous feast is laid out on a banquet table for the ancestors. The shrine can be seen in the background. A fire was lit in a small barrel while the family in years past surrounded the fire as they ate. In traditional homes the fire is still lit and kept under the table to simulate past practices. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>The Chinese New Year began tonight with the New Year's eve family reunion feast. We were invited to a great feast at t</div><div>he home of my friends Wei and his wife Wei-Jhin. The feast was held in his grandmother''s apartment and about 28 family members were in attendance. Some had flown in from California and Japan and others had traveled from their homes in other parts of Taiwan for the New Year's events.</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGPT-q8dseLKjAQHeWl6ExMvFX04OA3lpvUivcP_nnPkGadhNtk9n2ip25L26Jgre6B3ARgBBNenEZ1BdUN2n8jPmST2RnbZVQ0Y7-yJV8c6LHwwSlUaQORE5Gnb7LAihvAGeEFbXSxnr/s200/L1030160.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164059486295073266" /><div>We sampled many traditonal foods such as the one being cooked up on the stove. It was a thick, pasty creation containing mushrooms and shrimp that is eaten to symbolize the family sticking together. It took a great deal of muscle to make!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After the feast of incredible foods: chicken, shrimp, egg rolls, squid, fish of all sorts, vegetables, soups and delicacies, the children of the family are all given gifts of money in small red envelopes. Even adult children are given these gifts of money and the delight and merriment is evident. The oldest members</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsV2LH2IqtrL7yNLJ9LXYke_az6fDnnX3sD4PGwnLB6QAZhtp4fzILp6pP5LO6GnCRChmPbwG4HvQ8IVFnSvRdp_ymyZKzkAeN2rnQXqLMOw_6gQvTbvovcARh3umpyN9ZWsLmVBa4TTq/s200/L1030166.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164060044640821762" /><div> of the family dole out the money with great joy.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There is much joy and partaking of wine and yummy desserts. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Mahjong is played with some family-style gambling. The <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> festival will continue for fifteen days with various </div><div>festivities and traditions. The last day will be the Lantern festival which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. That will be the subject of another blog. Firecrackers are shot off at midnight to symbolize the leaving of the bad things from the old year. Nien, the awful monster is afraid of firecrackers so the noise from them makes him run away.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a wonderful holiday filled with much symbolism, many traditions and many superstitions. A good resource can be found at http://www.edu.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/China/chinese_new_year.html</div></div></div>Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-64215474666786538322008-02-04T07:22:00.000-08:002008-02-05T08:10:46.148-08:00Taroko, Taiwan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLueXGC_m_Cx39cs_LIGTe9S0TM9b4VigbrYezpjCqJV9A-3aoUOUBE69OgP1HqXnBUmnwe-RlbmhSUK39emhf-UHxcpRj98aUlTWRo-5dE66x-MT26KS4B6FwhtPj9_9skaUW5Hilcln/s1600-h/L1030008.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLueXGC_m_Cx39cs_LIGTe9S0TM9b4VigbrYezpjCqJV9A-3aoUOUBE69OgP1HqXnBUmnwe-RlbmhSUK39emhf-UHxcpRj98aUlTWRo-5dE66x-MT26KS4B6FwhtPj9_9skaUW5Hilcln/s200/L1030008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163526824451023170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJsJFSaaqdxdzVALaMa3dYGxJLrGJBNKdyD_B6E6gqpw3uAIAFrd-lbPWFS0IzpRi-tUabdvdO2dVekopifXXBAfV8oppFmbm3uABIWvIqrovQBsveIT_dzZe_nrWT0MvRWFL2g-i2LbT/s1600-h/L1030053.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJsJFSaaqdxdzVALaMa3dYGxJLrGJBNKdyD_B6E6gqpw3uAIAFrd-lbPWFS0IzpRi-tUabdvdO2dVekopifXXBAfV8oppFmbm3uABIWvIqrovQBsveIT_dzZe_nrWT0MvRWFL2g-i2LbT/s200/L1030053.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163147093507481794" /></a><br />I am sure that a thousand pictures could not capture the absolute magnificence of this mystical and spiritual place. I tried my best..but there is just no way to reconstruct the ever-present mist, the unending height of the mountains and gorgeous veined marble that lines the mountains and rivers. The water is so blue that it looked surreal to me. The picture on the right is the Pacific Ocean..only the other side of it! Taroko is a gorge and is situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan. It was established as a National Park in 1986. It lies within the Central Mountain Range. Many of the peaks tower over 984 feet in elevation. There are many trails carved through the mountains and during the two days Rachael, Anthony and I were in Toroko we walked on at least four of them. We hiked up hill and down, exclaiming at every turn at the natural beauty that is so unearthly. The original inhabitants of this land were there almost 2,000 years ago. The Aboriginal Taroko culture is still alive today. More trails were built during the Ching Dynasty in 1874, and more during the Japanese occupation. The building of trails was tremendously dangerous and many people lost<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJR6Q81gJWupiDFT6SfF7TpT2ljbNtDwP7ka_Yr_f19vI5tGHvTxDXtH7qC8vdNKagAePC2P5tTwmdV56uff2fXD2rUSMtmCWTeserKjV3jgWlmbb89XQm7WNJGabWEBSl071nFQF3Qxg/s200/L1020816.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163157190975594722" /> their lives during this construction. The Central C<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZQLqLv61UgEshiXgybKNFJ3cu9med4sAXo4ZAasc6uv-sf1Q6L6cjh9wZPMgUSJ5opPTKPJ1Dnb4EQPBCV12fykn-shJgHVQSjku6oWTUup41gKhhu6ZVUUocerUWs2GOY38cc6LjrJ5/s200/L1030013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163525845198479650" />ross-Island Highway was built during the years of 1956 to 1960. This highway is a series of terrifying twists and turns with sheer drops to the rocky gorge below. The picture to the right is from the Shakadang Trail. T<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1AXYSnQfSkTGvAKtFZasGUIFrn_nSrPuCJc-ZTQ9GEOd4l-iMidZZHV50ZiY_-Bsg3MD8HCGn9YuIccPx34WzYcYtBUeRrUrLF0EHOgbEWgWN_LLjIuj17IA_8_Iss0_EDdyQqiQIjOW/s200/L1020834.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163157697781735666" />he picture on the left is from the Baiyang Waterfall Trail. Along the way we had a little encounter with a Baboon! <div>There are many Buddhist</div><div> shrines throughout the trails that were both beautiful and spiritual. We were amazed at the quiet and serenity that each one projected. </div><div> </div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3hJRtOxxcB8hgR_-E-xoJrqpx_9mRKVyqGJD4kCW_fZXUJVuxOWJVhCN87EpxXTejxLKb0Tac6nVybU8Y6ktEB5Om0qD8pUnuGVGjgMim2IBnYlTsvkc4LRLpLuaZ0i4bHoTvgTjMF29/s200/P1010202.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163527387091738962" /><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vV7Nd1nlpYLtrTHTuyiTkVJPs-z5ptRAvoTxZI_8HimGgH-xG_R3np9D8lifdV9u1pc6TRAz7I9Jw0urerF27LtJXPCGyRlPN-O9zeirnrkAdLYJ3QwHB6LbyyXcCZ3pxnZ0lHLOM75p/s200/L1020997.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163527734984089954" />The rocks and sides of the mountains are made from incredible marble of white, black, brown and green hues, each decorated with veins of other colors. I could not believe the beauty of Taroko and the culture of the Aboriginie people who have lived there, thriving in the mountains, for thousands of years. <img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbG-6o5wDgt2v_g7FzoioWRowiX1FSxZ2SFepHcuWQr99_eHki2nSaNwz-o6ldHm-TRftTjXPi1t77UtBJBoqpkmLIrHXbSxaRWLBigu_fi9Q2C49-PmjSZ0GUJAEB4f4rGptH1r7I2-HW/s200/P1010163.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163526558163050802" />Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-16391060077611784152008-02-02T07:19:00.000-08:002008-02-02T08:18:32.818-08:00Danshui<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNZuGLyYmu3WTMxlD3IUrvLDQy2GJcyNIcU9wLlB0vph7VVIqEsoW5iviZWwubvTCQOL7hj3lWLyJB61uaG7b0spzR_jytWn-KwlNETmb80fBzwhu2NYDGMdIi5WmM3XCeRcVRDLJuMpz/s200/P1010033.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162407298275647474" /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPjVE5eQGwOHj_e5dGOweI0mIpbsslKagczwRCRo9_ZLYUSfVg3KO6_Xh1kTd4SwjJZ-QxcdwhJ6UzKL58L5ceWT5AxtxM7KpZWEzT8oOk3dxSRbkgPp2xKlZYNlmInivk0zAYn31POv0/s200/P1010032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162415072166453378" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IIOR4qRryi9mE3Gr_YFinnSxK7RPW80JumQ5PFWZlcfh4r0z4X7aFSyUwX1tlkZ4aX3U-cZurgTWjTBGRvosS8rbLBfrivK4TKVtcj85S6VPvswgX238GfdffdzpN7UjGfmRAh7tGD57/s200/P1010034.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162411116501573650" />We traveled to Danshui to visit my friend, Gina, who has a studio in this charming town. (More pictures can be seen at http://www.phase.com/500fan/danshui) Danshui is a fifty minute subway ride from my apartment in the Ximen area and is the end of the MRT line. Over the years, Danshui has become a weekend destination for Tapaieans. The town sits on the Danshui River and has bonafied boardwalk and wharf areas, plus gorgeous mountain scenery! In fact it is a great cross between a college town and a beach community, complete with seafood restaurants and a carnival area with games galore and the usual food..with a twist!<br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxXjDEXFnfFo3GDG1OBKbnT_kAnlQj6LN-tQ6E8-wag0EOZrlmKnsWojkxgP4s4fZ9gFU7C7DwAZP4Lvzh4fDx2qxRlQVRW9wanbA02Hs3XuVCZeZNA3TMjSdSOfa8EMdQpGapkBgSKfC/s200/P1010094.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162416141613310114" /><div> </div><div>We had a great time walking through the endless markets. and along the riverside. Check out the ice cream cone</div><div>in the square cone. Late on we saw an even taller one!</div><br /><div> </div><div>We ate in an outrageous restaurant that had once been a sculpture studio. Large masks hung from the ceiling and the tools were the decorations throughout. The food was totally minimalist. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkwwp-A2sdny0tM6V1prkTyM1xxPi9e39GYRbYBAKqVm6a-FELrJg-Diih8gvgLCnwJyV3XqMtaqMgrdMrEYDlOAhlq2AKZSQtv691i3nNRBuU0bA3jhPttS0f4630ftVSToFlGh_OYGb/s200/P1010049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162416687074156722" /><br /><br /></div><div>We visited a boardwalk reptile museum and I had a special moment with a very large friend. This little zoo specialized in freakish varieties. Imagine a cross between a rabbit and a gopher? We saw it!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The highlight of the day was visiting with Gina, Chunchu, a wonderful person and extremely talented and original artist. Chunchu works in handmade paper and her images are as large as five feet square. Her work has always inspired me and her new work is even more creative and unique! You can see more of her work on her website: http://www.tiec.tp.edu.tw//lifetype/album/298/646. She is standing with my daughter in Chunchu's studio in Danshui. I plan on spending lots of time with Chunchu and working with her at her studio. Chunchu is an elementary art teacher as well as the secretary for the Women's Art Association in Taiwan. She is a busy and very generous friend.<br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHXeLCvSKgG0jv9_DfyhJbNoa-UOuGsenTxHwvaRlIjc1F22svarKzfh1BvRQIA8FVqGpcy1duWZTQyDmVZgj109vYcRmdzJ1aPvS0n4lYhPxIpwLbGLHYpROpFnP35o0Mp8pYfLE5lcR/s200/L1020595.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162414415036457074" /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7bHLumfAAR5gPm_PuVcsizuxxMjeUPXoHH3B9s4k8_qVp43Ko4Qii22FB-JETJx4KCzUnQB0RALe96kBgroEMzA4sK4OrJLEpKv63CX7ki57s4ZIqI30YkYgyqZv5V3BRSp_-WMxXRyL/s200/P1010027.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162413212445614162" />Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-35655983986089538342008-01-30T16:58:00.000-08:002008-01-30T22:34:28.762-08:00Kaiyodo and Otaku Culture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZP6YyFOIj2xJMsOY5dKP6TZyej7e1q5lYqrRHri5L-NQ8x1SHzjCo9gp4xYminD2RlaD0_AnmoesTqjbC55UYvEDLonMtEr6bgcPVSeFjPtstrQO70zdAuqDzTVAAqLSeI0DO_WTjfuz/s1600-h/L1020568.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZP6YyFOIj2xJMsOY5dKP6TZyej7e1q5lYqrRHri5L-NQ8x1SHzjCo9gp4xYminD2RlaD0_AnmoesTqjbC55UYvEDLonMtEr6bgcPVSeFjPtstrQO70zdAuqDzTVAAqLSeI0DO_WTjfuz/s200/L1020568.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161475195883134850" /></a><br />When we think of contemporary Japan, some of the first things that comes to mind is the Japanese comic book industry, called manga, video games, anime animation, and tokusatsu, live action dramas. Currently, the Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in Taipei is featuring an exhibition focusing on the development of Kaiyodo and Otaku culture in Japan. Kaiyodo is the name of the manufacturer who developed along with the Otaku culture. Kaiyodo was originally a specialty store that sold models, but over the years, evolved into a center for pop culture and design. Kaiyodo is responsible for the shokugan industry of packaging toys in children's foods and for the development of individual assembly kits called, "Garage Kits." Otaku is the name given to the associated activities and artforms that developed in an area of Tokyo called, Akihabara. The Otaku culture is comprised of both the larger industries, but also includes the manufacture of many small figures, known as doujinshi, or self-published works. You can read more about the<div>museum at http://www.es199.com/eventsparties1.php?nid-1185<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxD11g1RjaPjierLZoJ0MVGuFChfepTM-brP78ayD8KXk8gMzPuS1nSHhTB6l-6LKHRzXV6ZxN83VFb5tbN6PdVcSMDDgiZWd5AipqW97BOZFGXFHBXxczaD58z4WgaL3hLBQmGFYJ2Kp/s200/L1020570.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161479379181281250" /><div>This fascinating exhibition is brought alive with interesting videos of the artists who created the work, plus clear historical information about how it all got started, how the products are made, and of course, the amazingly intricate figures themselves. I have visited the exhibition twice and each time have become a fan of some new set of characters. The halls are lined with small miniature figures that represent the characters we know from movies and storybooks. The characters are sculpted by a series of artists from different types of clay. Typically, the finished characters are then cut with a very fine blade into pieces from which individual molds are cast. Each cast piece is then reassembled and painted in hundreds of steps. All of the manufacturing is done in China where factory workers labor over the figures. Some of the paint jobs are so intricate that some 45 or more individual steps are made from start to finish. Japanese artists have final say on how accurate the casts and paintings are to the original. The artist and factory communicate, overnighting materials back and forth. There are many categories of figures. Some are transformers, some are female. There are military, robots, fantasy characters, dinosaurs, animals, monsters and even some larger figures made specifically for the museum. In particular, I was amazed at the series of Japanese warlords and the animals. The details and tiniest nuance were all perfectly executed.</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1J68yzqtyXn1f4u3vvHU5vpq38akeA1t3UBdBdsWowqzCp3g7zv4vLsaPG43rCIuWCZ3L5gon2kVI3DLgPyJ2l2yqCB_WwC4mXa3P8AaTlKfPMZF6Yc4fuikWfeKgdJ4bdsRHxWqZXu48/s200/af_bome13_L.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161476312574631842" /><div><br /></div><div>One artist, Bome, who specializes in the bishoujo, female characterizations, has developed a larger line of characters that were so racy that they were placed in a separate room requiring an ID pass to enter! These figures were definitely suggestive! My favorite however, were the Japanese Shokugan characters created by the artist Shinobu</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM2ZFvlksSCDAG6oTR3Vf-XPTK0n2qgPVfSimWnrk6Ehhr8qYSQmwQailCb6OvoObs_Jdqjv4Fx20ZFYFQLGn-T_ADOPhn9qo06MqcgXxD2ejb5JAaDu6P6S3s2ec7XrOfS55w3dCTS4v/s200/little+bear.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161477682669199282" /><div>Matsumura. He worked for the company Furuta when they began placing animaltale figures into their chocolate products. Now that culture, of putting toys into food products, is everywhere. Two days ago, when I purchased a container of milk..a little figurine of a bear was contained in a small box attached to the milk carton. You can see him on the left.</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa29n7QtKiz-gNzUzWEiegoXaf5so9tJIJnUAnfVJjQ4bJgPl9yn7X7JI0eYqPNRj5U1JXlfXOw14Msi7Gf3xpTh3hsjKRzQ503Ub8A7bZGxm511WzdjJteId8X-HwdeIX71ULWfrSnNB/s200/L1020540.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161478627562004418" /><div><br /></div><div>My daughter, Rachael and son-in-law, Anthony Snead, are here for a visit. It is great to have them to explore Taiwan with. Their company is just wonderful! My next blog will feature our travels to Toroko, but here is a picture of Anthony putting together a garage kit! And another picture is of Rachael and Anthony on a mysterious hiking trail </div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gJKeMrsdf9uUcP-9U5TOGTI98vu_CjwvKp8jgWDfR4XasAJ32TrpybuFOEeDaq-jFzQLUWNN466hi8LdcUOpDfVbBWxM1QwbhAvqIj3se0jofVGp7jl2FZSPt9e5AHnFEn5fkXUYb_fj/s200/L1020527.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161478975454355410" /><div>we discovered behind the famous Grand Hotel in <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Taipei.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-41467447877896018482008-01-27T18:16:00.000-08:002008-01-27T21:22:40.339-08:00Civilized in unique and wonderful ways<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXkrD_MTIcK9zrjr-2O0G6ElTpiW3FnXQVZhKNTAUed8kpYXbDUEU1nRvWAu_ZwYJPcMDLPyYj02CLPT_6EdgTZ3FEWpbVKkpakvQOSdcgv2GuXl2SsdMmuuSKuY2R6dtZZfbguG1hqJs/s1600-h/L1020381.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXkrD_MTIcK9zrjr-2O0G6ElTpiW3FnXQVZhKNTAUed8kpYXbDUEU1nRvWAu_ZwYJPcMDLPyYj02CLPT_6EdgTZ3FEWpbVKkpakvQOSdcgv2GuXl2SsdMmuuSKuY2R6dtZZfbguG1hqJs/s200/L1020381.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160346985283886658" /></a>When I think about the fact that there are 25,000 people per square mile, I am amazed at the quality of life and the intense order and cleanliness that pervades every public place. Over the past few days I have been collecting images that speak to the innovative quality of life here. Managing this many people in such a small space with such organization is simply impressive and amazing. We could learn a great deal from our Taiwanese friends! In this first image, people are riding the escalator in the subway. Notice that there is a yellow line on the escalator. People stand on the right side, one behind the other, leaving the left-hand side open for those wanting to move much faster. A simple solution to avoid pushing and shoving! This is a totally respectful solution that allows people choice on how quickly they want to move. In t<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlgopSeA0x3hNTgaeV3drnpnScmimKYE_WVCVNQlX-JW9XepN6Y_S1mh9u8Po6ErO5o_j7k_xNBqqWifALpKq3IXBxbnC4L_vSjKWZJk4AsZAISCJxWLkGLJ6KYGqurBkT0a7bkz7-hUR/s200/L1020397.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160392516232191842" />he image on the right, once again people are lining up to enter the subway train. Notice the white lines on the ground. Throughout every subway station white lines are painted in double rows indicating where to que up. The lines are painted to the left of the where each train door will open, keeping theose waiting in line out of the way. This allows people to exit the cars first, then the people waiting in line can enter. Check out the picture to the right, showing the gates that first display a blinking red light to let you know that the train is coming and open once the tr<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvCf1dTLV-ySsYeePOrX2AUJl-HD_xrLlSwKi15jKz7PzPhLtsy6WCG4VKbVcH5QtsGdE1VuJNh0pGlEohxW0m3MoDYrssKRL3_lNn8if_vPcwlLsqdQ_GdRDTOALA3ogivixN4cB5E5-/s200/L1020393.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160393027333300082" />ain has stopped. The picture on the left shows the fabulous display that gives you an estimated time for the next train's arrival, plus visuals that are stimulating!<div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>The subway is an innovative space where the largest mall in Taipei exists underground! It is packed with people and goods, especially toys. I also visited an pottery exhibition and an</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ4qZTZBJBGj77LA6JYGRJ0XIOuhQuiMvNu5JabiWa-jriUieZhyXaJC_dzMN3jlLg30wA36B7y1eZIao_gHvddmQSRWkBM7yA95wX_bnPJk5uqb_rDCKX4-N0YBOObuNlusAUYOtnD8R/s200/L1020378.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160391983656247122" /><div>aquarium in the subway. Unique ways for bringing culture and arts to everyone, for free! I am so impressed with the cleanliness of the subway and most public places. I noticed that there are no wrappers in the subway like we see in the US and learned that there is a 3000NT fine ($100.00) if you are caught eating, drinking or chewing gum on the subway or in the station area! </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>The bathrooms are also quite unusual. There are typical American toilets available in most public places, but there are also toilets that look like the one on the left. The flush</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBHm79naN7h9pI_OZ1WS0X_x9k0thCZuwTlKMweWKNjF6e0Fyke8ORlxjekvNSh5qhyphenhyphenDmlgGl_avmfppbg4tCOZddieqtbdn925LyXMhlOb_4d2ZP7Xw0cMblDEmDN50zSrmjF_VgItR3/s200/L1020134.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160376032147709618" /><div>mechanism is operated with the foot. What is great about it is that you don't touch anything making this an ideal public toilet.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Another safety feature that was actually invented by the </div><div>Taiwanese is their system of letting you know when you</div>can safely cross the street. A little green running man </div><div>and a series of numbers that count down from 45 or even 60 seconds lets you know it is ok to cross. The man turns red and stands still when you have to wait. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7rvUj78D4s75I5aOOxI9qZkRKFMmkng0lSpBJygDFqigC13PDSf4yi7zOR7pPPxXNsbkmXvnUbKAx3W86aildfkQNMrdrxZ-KHmfYpJvQZAhQFQbSCskcwZ7-Aa123Q1djpbHbHwS1OS/s200/L1020432.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160388895574761250" /><div>The smog in Taipei can be pretty bad at times and people sensibly don masks for protection. They also wear masks if they have a cold and don't want to infect anyone around them. The masks come</div><div> in all sorts of styles and colors, with many of them falling into the category of "designer masks!" </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In my kitchen there is a huge drain in the sink. In Taiwan, people put small netting tubes over their drains. When they want to empty them, they just lift out the little net bag, never touching food particles and debris.</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMmPBmnI1l68Oql9_FY-TQDoloNPdJ7ENVANW4hT9oQwOMXYFJ8cUZkZaRGHBit8qbsqvREaDREYHQMCrDkFanRasP9obrvffUHvRy7MvUJ2eaTxqDZncyeqtsq8Xk6_ZewTObUs-qZJq/s200/L1020450.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160390248489459522" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsY-fAJgAAOHJRmHk06UdW0h-e-5OOgn9HAuY3ByBRQesBlu9tO6krbPUQSAMTVGJG60ICr0eHtAdqotKEOxmZnqrVhMEmqELnYrmaLH851VdocbJCkHRH5OGMOEJLLYMnr20OAHk_I35/s200/L1020449.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160389883417239346" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Packaging in Taiwan is sensational. A few days ago, my friend Chuing-Chun (Gina) brought some cake. The box unfolded to make a tray, for serving, complete </div><div>with forks, neatly taped to the side. Check this out! CLEVER!!</div><div> </div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLQHmhJvDrllo5V_tLSVRPqs8DQUDHFXATVhq-efLTR_Fi9FCCMI3-b0-TEjnIFsVAIJ2Yf786gU4ENxl49X5rRfBVW_fHXlXVWnsued7BRKBaqfJi6Ej4HIaqGzndTk_fLIUXYN8AN_y/s200/L1020447.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160387650034245394" /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORoSMyUj6R3aReLtebCszA5O634PXHbpaPkl3aW1xW8WK-OZmzrGfSmBbiUuO7zpXQsQZjsU9d-0xcGJ0eqmmTmYugbj1awziQwNTjg8pMc8T_P1fpuhwEa7bjY2qeIOxL0ymMztNV5Xz/s200/L1020448.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160387306436861698" /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Everyday, I see more and more ideas that are both creative and responsive to the needs of people. Whenever you enter a building there are umbrella racks just outside the door. In some buildings an attendant will had you a plastic bag to slip your umbrella in before entering the building. I will continue to add materials to this section as I learn more and more about the culture and practices of the Taiwanese.</div>Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-90508082069304182452008-01-24T06:35:00.000-08:002008-01-27T21:27:39.297-08:00Settling in<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWgLYNFEtovyLtyfD7w6L49DDKvWtPa3G8ZGD3M9FA3HfvCiTHMV5AW_S_9efkIkHk1hXtEoI-PqH1Omms7nM2LOlpf9O34hkHH8pg32kIXMeE-wBv7SfOysxZNANseaB22aUzlO1XBMm/s1600-h/L1020338.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWgLYNFEtovyLtyfD7w6L49DDKvWtPa3G8ZGD3M9FA3HfvCiTHMV5AW_S_9efkIkHk1hXtEoI-PqH1Omms7nM2LOlpf9O34hkHH8pg32kIXMeE-wBv7SfOysxZNANseaB22aUzlO1XBMm/s200/L1020338.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159053117796032002" /></a>The last few days have been spent just settling into my new home. The constant din of noise has been a tough one for me to get used to. Even with double window panes and earplugs, I am having a tough time getting a good night's sleep. This is a city that never quiets down. Dogs bark, cats meow, people laugh, doorbells ring and scooters rev around until all hours of the night. It is a far cry from Carlisle and our peaceful farm. It makes me laugh now to think that I have complained about the distant roar of 81! The picture to the right is a building called 101. It is currently the tallest building in the world at 1670 feet high! The top is lost in the clouds. <br /><br />Taiwan is getting ready for the Chinese New Year, and since my apartment is on the street of costumes, I have been getting a first-hand glimpse of the preparations. Firecrackers seems to be a huge symbol and you can see them everywhere, some as high as ten feet! Displays of red things are everywhere with many special decorations and symbols of the holiday. Check oout this sight for more info on Taipei and the Chinese New Year Celebration. http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/2285<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEX4vmiT9BqJ6v5IMrnAwoxc5Axg_nSEayt7MqF92AgQQW7EOXxlEm-gRWny-G0S_T5OOnkpWW_WyN7E8ZvNNdEqZWfmi71FltA7gC_0F4VvqHbUg5F0M0hroNKm-ZW3PjSFijS66G18p/s1600-h/L1020131.jpg"><img style="float:none; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEX4vmiT9BqJ6v5IMrnAwoxc5Axg_nSEayt7MqF92AgQQW7EOXxlEm-gRWny-G0S_T5OOnkpWW_WyN7E8ZvNNdEqZWfmi71FltA7gC_0F4VvqHbUg5F0M0hroNKm-ZW3PjSFijS66G18p/s200/L1020131.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159060801492524562" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEgtNInBE8QS181SrG5WBmNjfN3B6L2CDeu6P_TJXxnRz423kHKHj3e0GH8fGxkwbdXcIsmcT9YsYiFdXhduUCzQE9oDOXpkI6vy11xkSoQX4tncSooSEdD7HEXJDoQ5_9W_a-nGZWTXt/s1600-h/L1020129.jpg"><img style="float:none; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEgtNInBE8QS181SrG5WBmNjfN3B6L2CDeu6P_TJXxnRz423kHKHj3e0GH8fGxkwbdXcIsmcT9YsYiFdXhduUCzQE9oDOXpkI6vy11xkSoQX4tncSooSEdD7HEXJDoQ5_9W_a-nGZWTXt/s200/L1020129.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159060805787491874" /></a><br />A few days ago, while roaming around my neighborhood, I cam across an artist doing incredible silhouettes. Check out his work above.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3zpKScSi8DbuN5DDT5nwtiu9uR1QdkggL6x36jialuxZpwqGkquZr27BOamh0Jppr6FkCLI_0Btb1OVxGpjKLEd1_x6Yr1HLOHOW9B7R0G6lDhyphenhyphenECMmp1E5DtqpkFFdoh3uTGaUHFeBi/s1600-h/L1020091.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3zpKScSi8DbuN5DDT5nwtiu9uR1QdkggL6x36jialuxZpwqGkquZr27BOamh0Jppr6FkCLI_0Btb1OVxGpjKLEd1_x6Yr1HLOHOW9B7R0G6lDhyphenhyphenECMmp1E5DtqpkFFdoh3uTGaUHFeBi/s200/L1020091.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159061089255333426" /></a><br />And how is this for a new kind of hot dog?Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-19082544005155487652008-01-22T05:31:00.000-08:002008-01-25T12:33:09.867-08:00JIUFEN with the Girls<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ioSn6D6O2pXGyjoaqeR1P9-SWunmgBAyA-Pw7U0mGt6tsRnCxxKFpRcf6u_3Ien4r1khJPQC7Cm1u7H1_RxApyrXncMKijww7EpM3TcJ0fv0o4ex1af06i0D0Ksxb29_TsHjq7Dq6MIb/s200/L1020162.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158326102126239874" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqllcWc_7a2_di_5ny5L4MX1Jgo7znJ_U7C0LVGaU7HnbRE-LVQJ945OpRAHhnr7ertr0nCOhIAWDr_CqS3K9nRIbtsmpvuUcaBDSEljLZats3Ij6lGbHvjcXUm2TlG2FVtiwyJk-xZYR4/s1600-h/L1020145.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqllcWc_7a2_di_5ny5L4MX1Jgo7znJ_U7C0LVGaU7HnbRE-LVQJ945OpRAHhnr7ertr0nCOhIAWDr_CqS3K9nRIbtsmpvuUcaBDSEljLZats3Ij6lGbHvjcXUm2TlG2FVtiwyJk-xZYR4/s200/L1020145.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158324418499059778" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAxYvmSdncpDHWXXGKrWdCOaITx6bDtEr5Gs5mgOuhQFHJgOaacC6nsKB7e0l6dY71QG0xKzQwmrBlZhMuaSsPpqGo-f0QM1614qVfJbfrkTfRgj9eLj9qfkNyLkzOjOBOc7ylkjf5_PW/s1600-h/L1020289.jpg"></a><br /><br />For the past two days, I have been in northern Taiwan, in a densley packed, ancient town, set on the side of a mountain. Winding, narrow roads lead you through steeply pitched scenery, the thin layers of cloud and fog and the ever-present mist wafting up from the ocean far below, as you wind your way up the mountainside to the start of the marketplace.<br /><br />Jiufen, also written as Jiofen, was orginally an isolated mountain town, cut off from the rest of the world until gold dust was discovered in 1893. The resulting gold rush reached its peak during the Japanese Colonization period. Today many Japanese style inns, teahouses, restaurants and the gorgeous Gold Ecological Park remain true to the original Japanese aesthetic. During WWII, a POW camp was established there for holding Allied soldiers, including many British, who were captured in Singapore and forced to work the mines. The mines were eventually shut down in 1987. Jiufen became an impressive tourist attraction after several movies were filmed there. The Gold Ecological Park was established to preserve the mine, the Japanese structures, gardens and the memories of this period of history.<br /><br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDPEmUULQd38SFRhEtmBdiE9KaRUtYG7ZXYS5POJE7w1izallYBLlC8XFnLDRRblvNw1tkEuXSJLo6nUc2HDzDpxzIa7KK1KXUGWKZyDqVEhjjSkpaSHmzs97xxIvkQvsWSKiSpxQoB_m/s200/L1020211.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158324422794027090" /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV92J0yFzm2bggwD23EmreKfGmAgMUXDSOHESKgkkxeaqPS8kuBlpdXk3veBsMFsL4JHQtzCFIc2Gr8K9Xl1PJNSxltAeVZk8IrtL8xOaDP1m-2hhxISfW3B8tt1C90jmNlUm_yMHi_zjW/s1600-h/L1020205.jpg"><img style="" 0="" 10px="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV92J0yFzm2bggwD23EmreKfGmAgMUXDSOHESKgkkxeaqPS8kuBlpdXk3veBsMFsL4JHQtzCFIc2Gr8K9Xl1PJNSxltAeVZk8IrtL8xOaDP1m-2hhxISfW3B8tt1C90jmNlUm_yMHi_zjW/s200/L1020205.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158329224567464194" /></a><br /><br />The gorgeous mountains and breathtaking views of the ocean are visible from hundreds of spots throughout the area. The marketplace is open 7 days a week and is jam-packed with tourists, mostly Taiwanese, Chinese and Japanese. The marketplace is made from an endless series of winding and interlocking narrow streets, lined with awning covered shops that sell everything you can imagine and more including food, candy, clothing, trinkets, calligraphy, shoes, brushes, scrolls, jewelry, toys, massage instruments..and all manner of souvenirs! Restaurants, teahouses and eateries of all varieties sit sandwiched among the shops. The odors change from pungent almond to roasting meat to an indescribable putrid within seconds. It is remarkable; a visual, auditory and full sensory experience. At one moment, there is the din of people scrambling for fresh dumplings followed by the hawkings of the "jelly girls" (I nicknamed this twosome who sold gelatin shapes in all flavors) beckoning you to taste a slice of their confections. Further on, the market is silent, broken only by the high-pitched flautist selling her beautifully hand-made ceramic flutes. On further, people are huddled together sipping and munching on the house specialty..a combination of fruit and dough balls cooked in some sort of a soup. The amount of humanity packed into this place is equalled only by the herds of mangy dogs running underfoot, begging for food and comfort.<br /><br />I traveled to Jiufen in the company of Dr. Chiu-Jhen Chen and her six graduate students, all charming young women who could not have been more gracious and helpful to me and Dr. Chen. We started our journey, early on Monday morning with a 50 minute train ride from the main train station in Taipei to the Rueifang Station, followed by a ten minute taxi ride to the Jiufen markeplace.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j1RMX07C3KS9zp2Py-MXvhXRfbbde0eLYZLS0WhwY3wsyq_KnCiy2_f90nNtVmj7NELCg-28P0iRPq36EISwGd0EM0m1rpp1CJ-4bSEUuEjkfYKIFVbRgYcY0NDPIqyD21zyZuUSvJJ1/s1600-h/L1020214.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8OU8Cr5eNcsPmdindROZ7dTWXxk2uyYhDQPGHPpy7BvwDpStoHdyIaCUKuFwi23-FaQUGViiRutnW1WM9h79_4gDbxtqthDGg2tI2SU-Yq9fsPQ45DW1KC6CkvQVnam7b_hM1AahGW9t/s200/L1020310.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158327704149041378" /></a>We spent the night in a lovely hotel that had scenic overlooks that captivated me, despite the heavy rainfalls. This hotel has a 20 foot high wall made from stones that had been carved into blocks, indigenous to the area, that is simply awesome. I have included a picture of it. To get to the hotel we climbed up at least three thousand stairs. Since Jiufen is built along a mountainside, there is no other option than to climb those steps higher and higher. Carrying suitcases and purchases made along the way made it challenging, especially when balancing an umbrella and whatever you happen to be munching on! Lucky for Dr. Chen and myself that the grad students, displaying their continual respect for their Professor and her friend, immediately grabbed our packages, making the hike much more doable. <br /><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtP1yNkx-ORtLfCg-vW0UzR-y-8ac41DFEpSgvOIVCt_PiBaGByr8F1FPYdQjpe5UU6yRLp0ZueL0NRQ5RG8ZIgXbEvThmZiwvdCjezFjXh-wXiAd_RPl6lvU_YW97ZxdDOs-zH_FhJRJb/s200/L1020166.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158326694831726738" />Although the shopping was fun, the food strange, but good, once I got myself to try it, my favorite part of the trip was the tea house where we spent the afternoon. The girls found a beautiful spot high upon the hill with picture windows facing out to the mountains and ocean below. We arrived in the rain and the view was bleak and foggy. But as the afternoon slipped away, the clouds lifted and the view became quite clear and magical. We opened the windows and felt such a fresh sweep of ocean air, that it seemed as if the last vestiges of my jet lag evaporated into the air.<br /><br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQA4YaKnv2Jiu5wOS5z-I3Y6eh2Ct5y5ta_PBMgI9-gqYzEliHpVl0_KT45LSGLdxFwUWRzvmy8o_G4QYb0oF23Cfyzdvcn5O8f4kTsLT86-9kECPdhJ_I5Aic5wv6v3wW633U_TlGfG-/s200/L1020157.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158326089241337970" />We enjoyed a traditional tea ceremony which included the steeping of tea leaves and flowers and the pouring of the first pot of tea over the cups. This first pouring is discarded, more water is added to the leaves and the tiny cups are filled. The drinking of the tea began in earnest and continued for four refills before the ceremony was repeated. Interspersed with our tea activities, we ate wonderful dried fruit, played a variety of card games, I learned my requisite ten new Mandarin vocabulary words per day and we simply sat and visited. It grew dark and we became hungry and ordered a wonderful meal. Eventually, we trekked back up the hill, up the three thousand steps and found our way to our richly appointed beds. I was thrilled to find a TV with English speaking movies! So here I was in Jiufen, perched high atop a mountain, hanging out over the ocean, snuggled down in my quilted and buffeted down feathers, watching "Finding Dr. Nimo." <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6256c1G_23vEK5JCdsw1BhE5XcQc52HLTWe4AdRgZHJE3IOzr8oR7mPTEwZClGdorseeYgZ564GtQwp99vjvDrxU6KH58L2JIRITz2Nz2wBuOEe9ejBQ8EkVAlgahyphenhyphenkJklltUfmifHcc/s1600-h/L1020245.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6256c1G_23vEK5JCdsw1BhE5XcQc52HLTWe4AdRgZHJE3IOzr8oR7mPTEwZClGdorseeYgZ564GtQwp99vjvDrxU6KH58L2JIRITz2Nz2wBuOEe9ejBQ8EkVAlgahyphenhyphenkJklltUfmifHcc/s200/L1020245.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158327566710087890" /></a>The next morning, it was still raining, but after eating a breakfast of soy milk tea plus bread and green onions ( I brushed my teeth at least ten times after that one,) we took another cab up to the Gold Ecological Park. This is a wonderful place to visit, especially the gardens and mountain vistas surrounding the Prince of Japan's home. There is a lovely restaurant that serves a typical miner's lunch. The meal of pork chops, rice, a hard boiled egg and some chopped up pickles came in a metal tin, wrapped in a bandana with a set of wooden chopsticks fastened in the knot. (picture included) I got to take my metal tin home with me and will reuse it for something! There was so much to learn, see and appreciate in this park, including lovely scroll mounted paintings of the vistas surrounding the park, jewelry made from gold and the mega block of gold. Anyone who can actually pick it up can take it home with them. The waterfalls and closeness of the mountains makes me feel as if I am in another world. It was breathtaking!<br /><br />We took the train back to Taipei in the afternoon and I arrived back home just in time to take my garbage down for the daily 5 PM pick-up. It was a great trip, made even better by the great company I had with me. See more pictures by clicking <a href="http://travel.webshots.com/album/558753447mgYQxd">JiuFen</a>!Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-53584485256712084362008-01-20T02:50:00.000-08:002008-01-25T12:39:46.824-08:00Gorgeous Presentations!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzlrEmmfuAlSX6xGlIbd1gTu0J8DsnXJ1XSPgRZnLM0Bijz1VN4czrXAsic9rM3L1ML5WVDGLOJ8cqBz5bmhYID034J2AVtA0D4nefsvbgsbYjd4WA0hyphenhyphen_u3JU3SjsYHKME1MCYqWHWSM/s1600-h/L1020127.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzlrEmmfuAlSX6xGlIbd1gTu0J8DsnXJ1XSPgRZnLM0Bijz1VN4czrXAsic9rM3L1ML5WVDGLOJ8cqBz5bmhYID034J2AVtA0D4nefsvbgsbYjd4WA0hyphenhyphen_u3JU3SjsYHKME1MCYqWHWSM/s200/L1020127.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157527152309837842" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT10tZI072e6dtGVwRVQf56Z7z6R6A4RpGq7sqTQa281Nn-kMArrx3zyNpO5jrcaLTG2XbhyphenhyphenPe1GWs-QOITqeGzwLLodWA3SulZYT-zjM8nbgKu-a2Yv-lk3IwpS4eNxLeNoaMJz9sd6FB/s1600-h/L1020119.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT10tZI072e6dtGVwRVQf56Z7z6R6A4RpGq7sqTQa281Nn-kMArrx3zyNpO5jrcaLTG2XbhyphenhyphenPe1GWs-QOITqeGzwLLodWA3SulZYT-zjM8nbgKu-a2Yv-lk3IwpS4eNxLeNoaMJz9sd6FB/s200/L1020119.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157527156604805154" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlChIQJXhf_oWTr9lYHKDXiNlNlh4JeUe-EZJ6NuS9bIHn0-bzf1RW3S6FUI0IJjZ5vzH_p5nWAS_N6tXkQwORPz9izQmz_WtioLHTKpAr0vJZzQB77yFbDdn19dumgKN0_mAIgloABnJ/s1600-h/L1020096.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlChIQJXhf_oWTr9lYHKDXiNlNlh4JeUe-EZJ6NuS9bIHn0-bzf1RW3S6FUI0IJjZ5vzH_p5nWAS_N6tXkQwORPz9izQmz_WtioLHTKpAr0vJZzQB77yFbDdn19dumgKN0_mAIgloABnJ/s200/L1020096.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157525799395139522" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL5oaGZb2vWP3-W2rCme1HRdk5FwHdrdc89_446wpQCU2EpN6XZDB3oGLlYqGSxbFbEzypQK9LdfVjWGKce2JtPzMAdij34xqde7a_ES8XfBYx8-us3GXHrcHgpSytOVNhYUL7A44NKFB/s1600-h/L1020059.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL5oaGZb2vWP3-W2rCme1HRdk5FwHdrdc89_446wpQCU2EpN6XZDB3oGLlYqGSxbFbEzypQK9LdfVjWGKce2JtPzMAdij34xqde7a_ES8XfBYx8-us3GXHrcHgpSytOVNhYUL7A44NKFB/s200/L1020059.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157525799395139506" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Over the past four days, since arriving in Taipei, I have been welcomed by faculty and students through an incredible display of hospitality. My apartment has been furnished and appointed with everything I could possibly need during my stay in Taiwan. The array of food I have eaten is quite varied, but the display and presentation is always remarkable. The photos in this blog entry are just a sample of the visual culinary experience that tempts the eye as it does the palette. Eating is truly an aesthetic experience.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrNI14UrdlNfdhXPkyiPVSeji24ftLsipIGuT-CePFtipnVmB9d8iBZ5LaHY18NAX4OV6wZHR2ok49rYVuWQOcQry4v4u3wcidxZz3FhjR26_Q3FfpoMgAVjqpMRWVcL9pOZjys0-Ga79/s1600-h/L1020053.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-decoration: underline;cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrNI14UrdlNfdhXPkyiPVSeji24ftLsipIGuT-CePFtipnVmB9d8iBZ5LaHY18NAX4OV6wZHR2ok49rYVuWQOcQry4v4u3wcidxZz3FhjR26_Q3FfpoMgAVjqpMRWVcL9pOZjys0-Ga79/s200/L1020053.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157525339833638802" /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5un2MhLuS2OWBS7XJ8QuTPM9PQSZ8M314M1t32a_j9tKrC59P-ySPKzlRTWhX9FpsRIantaO0H8Ccl9VezLs3RDZxk4J1x78GjqaVS9RGhseAb3IUvSAqWwHYVHf-cqZecHeLtzo7e_6D/s1600-h/L1020054.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5un2MhLuS2OWBS7XJ8QuTPM9PQSZ8M314M1t32a_j9tKrC59P-ySPKzlRTWhX9FpsRIantaO0H8Ccl9VezLs3RDZxk4J1x78GjqaVS9RGhseAb3IUvSAqWwHYVHf-cqZecHeLtzo7e_6D/s200/L1020054.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157525344128606114" /></a>Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-52611819536689122892008-01-18T07:29:00.000-08:002008-01-25T12:57:25.114-08:00Taiwan at Last! VISA woes....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL0ZJvtZGaamwtkMdfZq3oFNsLBPhSr_qa5LHjLD0ePRCrfxTuIwegxndIagaUTpbmj1QAL3dWK7h2DC1pWuPgpa8YRqtMhRnX7pp50FdmxrOZ_YK3NK2eb4H-Wd8emenXlfYF_kpOK4K/s1600-h/taipei+times+square.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL0ZJvtZGaamwtkMdfZq3oFNsLBPhSr_qa5LHjLD0ePRCrfxTuIwegxndIagaUTpbmj1QAL3dWK7h2DC1pWuPgpa8YRqtMhRnX7pp50FdmxrOZ_YK3NK2eb4H-Wd8emenXlfYF_kpOK4K/s200/taipei+times+square.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156857459534208514" /></a>I arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday night at 9:30 PM, January 16, 2008. That would be 8:30 am PA time. The 11 hour flight from LA to Tokyo was exhausting and super cramped. I immediately upgraded my ticket to economy plus for $75.00 to get tons of extra leg room. United may be the only airline with this set-up, but my last leg of the journey..3 hours from Tokyo to Taiwan was a dream! United's 777 planes are fabulously appointed for international travel. Each seat has its own video screen and six or so current movies and numerous music stations available. The movies are repeated continuously from take-off to landing.I saw five movies between both flights, ate three full meals, several snacks, took a few naps and studied about Taiwan. United has a new flight..11 hours from Taipei, Taiwan straight to San Francisco that is a great time savings over the flight I had.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cBOGhsKpjd-9oMBg0JG1sdMecx8dpMpx2Am6iOjSVGalnRQH4soToyTm8Of_aZdK-ze8sHfuHvu2oTx8TyQdflm8RlREGDxVUT-xxnQTg2YIlus-FTI6BCNojiHZl2sKCMJ8ByLtgGsF/s1600-h/Dr.+Kung-Chin+Lin.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cBOGhsKpjd-9oMBg0JG1sdMecx8dpMpx2Am6iOjSVGalnRQH4soToyTm8Of_aZdK-ze8sHfuHvu2oTx8TyQdflm8RlREGDxVUT-xxnQTg2YIlus-FTI6BCNojiHZl2sKCMJ8ByLtgGsF/s200/Dr.+Kung-Chin+Lin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156855715777486306" /></a>Upon entry to Taiwan, I learned that the gorgeous, calligraphed document sent to me by the Taipei Municipal University of Education that I carried with me was a working permit and not a VISA. The officials allowed me into Taiwan with the stipulation that I get a multiple entrance VISA within a month. Easier said then done! After numerous episodes of yelling with officials, Dr. Gow got assurances that despite many new rules, a VISA could be issued with a letter from the University president. If this does not work, I will be on my way to Hong Kong, to the US Embassy to get a VISA. Jimmy Carter closed the Taiwan embassy while he was President in favor of opening one with China. Since Taiwan is no independent from China, only one full embassy has existed since then and that is in Hong Kong. In Taiwan there is just an office, nothing more. This is a difficult situation and means that I cannot get residence status or open a bank account! I hope it is resolved soon as it is on my mind and troublesome.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP96MjPoO3-IoYLQyjvRMQlP9oOB5CWVrMZ80A-V-WSwocZ7ktH_4AWauSSqbuy_N4bUjiF_Cceh6FYw-Kj0hSourIiQw-vzSniyJ2JZVObIbqTn47azjS8SD1ovN-nxhKQ_BltfEDV0my/s1600-h/L1020088.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP96MjPoO3-IoYLQyjvRMQlP9oOB5CWVrMZ80A-V-WSwocZ7ktH_4AWauSSqbuy_N4bUjiF_Cceh6FYw-Kj0hSourIiQw-vzSniyJ2JZVObIbqTn47azjS8SD1ovN-nxhKQ_BltfEDV0my/s200/L1020088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156859250535571010" /></a>The past few days have been spent meeting new people and reacquainted myself with my old buddies. In the last picture, I am standing with the President of the Taipei Municipal University of Education, (TMUE.) He greeted me with a symbol of the New Year, a new cooking pot for the stove! The Chinese New Year will happen in the first week of February and everyone is revving up for this most important holiday. More on that later! Dr. Liu YuanTsun is a very elegant man who greeted me with warmth and enthusiasm. He is also a calligrapher and a physicist.<br /><br />I have learned the route from my apartment to school and to the supermarket, shops, restaurants and the subway. I have eaten a variety of oddly shaped, colorful and unique tasting foods. I have actually had to slow down on this a bit because I am starting to feel a little ill. The cafeteria at the University is a trip. In the center are many tables and all around the enormous space are small shops where a variety of cooking takes place. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGHJs0nkO7W9XofMezWD3KO-8Wkq2HRkfkM3unwAOYrxP_Z4RJtBEjIficxg0bA7L2dKZ7AmdNNQa_cUVFp86ueGKHeunXGx81_FsGVFAdBCax5evjTYQYArkM9RZ8-CuK7Zuy6ihTAxo/s1600-h/fruit.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGHJs0nkO7W9XofMezWD3KO-8Wkq2HRkfkM3unwAOYrxP_Z4RJtBEjIficxg0bA7L2dKZ7AmdNNQa_cUVFp86ueGKHeunXGx81_FsGVFAdBCax5evjTYQYArkM9RZ8-CuK7Zuy6ihTAxo/s200/fruit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156858979952631330" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGHJs0nkO7W9XofMezWD3KO-8Wkq2HRkfkM3unwAOYrxP_Z4RJtBEjIficxg0bA7L2dKZ7AmdNNQa_cUVFp86ueGKHeunXGx81_FsGVFAdBCax5evjTYQYArkM9RZ8-CuK7Zuy6ihTAxo/s1600-h/fruit.jpg"></a>Students drift in and out carrying the most amazing looking food. Chen Fung, my keeper (Ha Ha) led me to a tofu bar. Here you select as many types and pieces of tofu as you want, add in your choice of noodles, greens and then the chef boils it in water, dumps it into a bowl and adds broth. At the spice table you can select from numerous and mysterious-looking and smelling bottles of spicy combinations of "dressings" that are placed on the steamed veggies and noodles. It was delicious and cost less than $2 for more food than I could eat at one time.<br /><br />Tomorrow I am opting for the Japanese style food bar. Last night at my welcoming party, I ate sauted jelly fish. They tasted like crunchy worms. The food is amazing, but sometimes, I have to politely refuse. When a soup of floating circular and tubular squid was placed in front of me, I knew I had reached a no way place. Eventually I will get there..just not right now when everything is still so new! I have to pace myself and not appear rude by refusing to try some special offering or combination that is totally unfamiliar to me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuLsubtU0bT7AsQR34qmbtI6xGbHEslcRuX5sC5zyaolGp37C5NPcqCQlSODpphX4PMa_4DeE95xpz77kvRAwf3SnBm_tF73hPpgVYlcVmJZ9O071a93xnM2Q9uHgQRnfWQCV77jWl4FG/s1600-h/L1020100.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuLsubtU0bT7AsQR34qmbtI6xGbHEslcRuX5sC5zyaolGp37C5NPcqCQlSODpphX4PMa_4DeE95xpz77kvRAwf3SnBm_tF73hPpgVYlcVmJZ9O071a93xnM2Q9uHgQRnfWQCV77jWl4FG/s200/L1020100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156856140979248626" /></a>This evening I attended a welcome to Taiwan party with faculty and the Young family. Mr and Mrs. Young own a large development corporation in Taiwan. Their daughter just completed her doctoral studies at Penn State in Art Education. Mr Young has offered to be my benefactor while I am in Taiwan and will support my travel and work. It was all pretty amazing to experience the generosity and enthusiastic caring of this group of Taiwanese citizens who welcomed me with genuine sincerity! I presented the Young family with a small painting of my farm in South Central PA.I hope my relationship with the Yongs will continue to flourish. You can see us in the picture with Chui-Jhin, my dear Taiwanese friend. She is standing on the far right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoczZN3Qo5kxexsYOkARtw6UWV8LYx5466dLHR_ns2BzzsWsQI6PW7r4f382i1Ja73qp2QlUvJ1rUoHzNpbsjhQoy0zN8U9g0GzItf0bl8c7mH4nQ5t-z72AN9rYaZUuRzpRR0PUZAuWx2/s1600-h/bakery.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoczZN3Qo5kxexsYOkARtw6UWV8LYx5466dLHR_ns2BzzsWsQI6PW7r4f382i1Ja73qp2QlUvJ1rUoHzNpbsjhQoy0zN8U9g0GzItf0bl8c7mH4nQ5t-z72AN9rYaZUuRzpRR0PUZAuWx2/s200/bakery.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156857704347344402" /></a>My apartment is really in a great place, sitting in the Times Square Section of Taipei. It is a shopping paradise and life is bursting forth among the many shops and cafes, all day long. There is a 60 story building called Party World which contains floors of dance clubs, karoke clubs and restaurants. The supermarket is ten floors of everything from what to wear to what to eat. Carts move through the levels on flattened escalators. n between the up and down escalators, bins running along the handrails held every imaginable chip and pretzel brand. People were just grabbing bags of stuff as we went from level to level. Now this place is no Wegmans, but it is an incredibly unique experience, bursting with sights, sounds and smells one could only find here in Taipei, Taiwan. This is a very rich visual environment..more so than what I remembered. The wrappers and boxes are so brightly colored and shiny. Everything seems rich and textured. The build-up to Chinese New Year's has begun. It is almost the antithesis of the Asian aesthetic of quiet and elegance. Even some of the trees are decorated with blue and yellow twinkling lights!<br /><br />I spent some time setting up my studio and even stretched a 6' x 4' piece of 400 pound arches watercolor paper onto an eight-foot board. I am getting started on my work! The studio is not large but has great northwest light and many windows. I am required to put four hours a week in, but I hope to like this spot and give it many more hours per week. I am still getting things fixed up. I am already collecting some pretty interesting vegetables and fruit and developing new compositions. I hope to start painting today. </div><div><br /></div><div>The jet lag is slowly going away and over the next few days I will take some down time to get settled in. There is a dog barking that sounds exactly like my Kahuna. Ugh..pangs of longing!</div><div>I have not yet grasped the enormity of what lies ahead for me.. I need to settle down!</div>Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-82054114716845107382008-01-14T07:28:00.000-08:002008-01-14T21:58:52.266-08:00Los Angeles, Newport Beach and the Mojave Desert<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo0y_3RA9dCL5iPyy_KwYz10j3PZyyAzS8qxfoWvCYzuF4dkesP2CkHo7C9nOZUkwjqEkeFVCTxYQ7RIhiMbNP64uzKpcg4EKYq9-HEIQtgNZkAQzYx7UscnfCnlyghxrBW1q1oNMEzQ-/s1600-h/newportbeach.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo0y_3RA9dCL5iPyy_KwYz10j3PZyyAzS8qxfoWvCYzuF4dkesP2CkHo7C9nOZUkwjqEkeFVCTxYQ7RIhiMbNP64uzKpcg4EKYq9-HEIQtgNZkAQzYx7UscnfCnlyghxrBW1q1oNMEzQ-/s320/newportbeach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155578753280908738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWv0-47ZHieGtk7ykH-Ndwi4t9xiVUIHU1t2VfLDs01hbWykolEusoOJw-LdxERy8vKdf3YQfchfdCy9U5O74M-reYfp1f2LQw29W86HTIfGSdMV4_dh4EjS_6xiWe1JidVQ5zRVT1eYCN/s1600-h/Mojave.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWv0-47ZHieGtk7ykH-Ndwi4t9xiVUIHU1t2VfLDs01hbWykolEusoOJw-LdxERy8vKdf3YQfchfdCy9U5O74M-reYfp1f2LQw29W86HTIfGSdMV4_dh4EjS_6xiWe1JidVQ5zRVT1eYCN/s320/Mojave.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155576399638830514" /></a><br />The last few days have been spent with Ruben's family who live in the LA-Hesperia part of California. We are currently in the Mojave Desert surrounded by uniquely shaped hills and Joshua trees. Antelope Highway is a fascinating study in these unique brown hills that seem uninhabitable, but are not!<br /><br />Newport Beach is a lovely and lively beach town on the coast south of LA. We took an enchanting sunset boat ride around the harbour and saw the homes of the rich and famous. It was an amazing array of architectural styles. Some homes were quite autentic replicas to the massive structures I have seen in Italy, Spain and the wild west!<br /><br />Today is my last day on U.S. soil. I will be flying to Narita airport in Japan tomorrow morning, then on to Taipei, Taiwan. I will arrive on Wednesday, at 9:30 PM my time, 8:30 AM, PA time. My next post will be from Taiwan. Zai Jian!Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139983217250910366.post-47975061278024762122008-01-09T20:34:00.000-08:002008-01-14T07:28:34.525-08:00DepartureZai Jian. The best part about leaving is that I know I will get to come back home in six months and resume my wonderful life, again. I have been blessed with wonderful friends and family, students and colleagues, UUCV, my choir family, doctors, pharmacists, restaurants, theatre, art galleries, dance teachers, schools and everything is surrounded by the beautiful and dramatic landscape of the Cumberland Valley. Carlisle-Shippensburg is a great place to live and work. Saying good-bye is almost a celebration of joy for the happiness and love I feel in my world. I made a great life here and I have every reason to believe that my life in Taiwan will also be great. I leave without anxiety, just total gratitude and joy for all that is to come.<br /><br />7:57 am departure from Harrisburg to Chicago. Chicago to LA.Janet Ann Ruby-Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14052072054287841865noreply@blogger.com1