This is the University for Educational Research in Sanshia where we had our in-service training. Sanshia is a small city just outside of Taipei. A student teacher from Wuci went with me. The foreign English teachers from across Taiwan showed videos of their teaching and gave a short presentation on the teaching environment of their school. Two professors from the Ministry of Education observed and gave feedback on the videos and presentations. The pace of the in-service was more relaxed than the orientation. We had plenty of time to chat with other teachers and find a little fun at night.
A cool butterfly in the courtyard after lunch. Ceramic art outside the Ceramics Museum.
The Toilet King was born in Sanshia. This piece appears as if it's glowing from within. The impressions on this piece were made with pin heads. My guitar, Joy, would be jealous but I had to take a picture of this piece. This piece is about three feet across. The driftwood art shop where the artist reuses old bed springs, lamps, and other household items in his art.
Soccer is not a popular sport in Taiwan. It just takes up too much space. This photo illustrates this sociological reality in Taiwan. A small rice paddy is slipped in next to some shipping containers.
I just like the artistic quality of this photo. The straight lines and colors of the human made bike path and shipping containers interrupted by one small tree. And, right in front of the small tree, is one damaged and bulging shipping container. Which reality is more permanent, I ask?
So, I'm waiting for the bus by the Capital Hotel. It's a nice Hotel in Wuci where foreigners and businessmen stay. Sometimes, I will wait inside and drink some coffee. There's a young guy working the counter who is studying English so he likes to talk to me. He went to school in Wuci and knows many of the teachers that I work with. He says he wished there were foreign English teachers at Wuci JHS when he was going to school. I'm the fourth or fifth foreign teacher they've had at Wuci JHS.
As I sit, a blue garbage truck rolls by spitting smoky fumes. The motto on the side of the truck reads, "Overlook The Future". I know what they're trying to say, but the irony makes me smile a cynical smile. It's a cold and windy day and the smog is hanging in the air. I open my small journal and write this:
Blue garbage truck reads Overlook The Future Yellow sky, cold wind
I've been told by a few Taiwanese people that I am not like most Americans. Apparently, I speak slower and softer than the typical American. I've always had this perception of myself so it's encouraging to hear other people validate my observations. I don't have a lot of contact with foreigners so when I go to Taichung and I run into a group of Americans at a pub or a restaurant these qualities are jarringly clear.
I went to the small mountain town of Puli for New Year's Eve. Small by Taiwan standards Puli is about 90,000 people. It is in a lush mountain valley and known for the fresh natural mineral water that is bottled and sold. I rolled into town with a couple of friends about 11 PM. We checked into the hot springs hotel and then drove back into town to look for a pub to celebrate the New Year. We didn't find any pubs so we stopped at a Family Mart near the edge of town that was nestled between a gas station and a public restroom. We got some food and found a table in front to drink our bottle of wine. There were a lot of people around so it festive but relaxed.
New Year's Eve is always a difficult time for me. It reminds me of one thing that is missing in my life, someone to love and be loved by. Although I was a bit melancholy I was happy to be with friends and looking forward to soaking in the hot springs in the morning. The hot springs are wonderful. There are coed pools outside for those with bathing suits, or there are men's and women's pools inside for naked soaking. I did the naked springs. There are three pools of different temperatures and a sauna. The pools tiled but are surrounded by natural rocks and plants to give a natural appearance. It's a very peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. What a great way to start the New Year.
A quick nap after the hot springs and then it was time to drive into the mountains for some lunch. It was foggy but the restaurant on the side of the mountain still offered good views and good food. Then it was back to Taichung and a bus ride to Wuci. I was tired, but ending up going to the gym to workout and then home to relax.
A cool butterfly in the courtyard after lunch.
Ceramic art outside the Ceramics Museum.
The Toilet King was born in Sanshia.
This piece appears as if it's glowing from within.
The impressions on this piece were made with pin heads.
My guitar, Joy, would be jealous but I had to take a picture of this piece.
This piece is about three feet across.
The driftwood art shop where the artist reuses old bed springs, lamps, and other household items in his art.
