Earthquake #4 hit tonight, and it was a big one. I was at my computer, watching reruns, and my chair started to shake slightly. It got stronger and stronger, to the point where I started to crawl under the desk. It lasted for maybe 30 seconds, and then stopped. The electrical wires outside were swinging, and everyone from the art school across the street came outside. You know it's strong if the Taiwanese get excited. I thought about going outside, but decided against it, since it was pretty calm. According to the Shindo scale (used in Japan and Taiwan) it was centered off the Southeastern Coast, and was measured as a 6.3 in Hualien, on the other side of the island. In Miaoli County, it was a 3. If that was a 3, I don't want to know what a 6 is like.
http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/earthquake/Data/quake/EE1031200263121.htm
On the US scale, it was a 6.7 It even made it on CNN, thankfully there was very little damage done.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/31/world/asia/taiwan-earthquake/index.html?hpt=ias_c2
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Kaohsiung-Sunday
Today I woke up feeling every step I took yesterday. Walking isn't too bad, but Linda and I were both making Homer Simpson noises going up and down the steps at the train station. We went to the Formosa Boulevard station, to see the Dome of Light.
We walked through Central Park, and found a great little place for lunch.
We said our goodbyes at the station, and I boarded the train for the long ride home. I didn't do the HSR, because it's more expensive, and I didn't have any time constraints. The train was very crowded, and the seat I bought was only available until Xinying. So I had a seat for the first hour, then stood for 90 minutes, then had a seat the rest of the way.
I had a great time, but my legs are sore! I have a list of things I want to do when I go back, one day isn't enough.
We walked through Central Park, and found a great little place for lunch.
We said our goodbyes at the station, and I boarded the train for the long ride home. I didn't do the HSR, because it's more expensive, and I didn't have any time constraints. The train was very crowded, and the seat I bought was only available until Xinying. So I had a seat for the first hour, then stood for 90 minutes, then had a seat the rest of the way.
I had a great time, but my legs are sore! I have a list of things I want to do when I go back, one day isn't enough.
Kaohsiung-Saturday
We got up early on Saturday, ready to see the city. We ate breakfast at the hotel, and took a cab to Monkey Mountain. There was some confusion with the cab driver, and we ended up at the zoo first. Another tourist there knew where we wanted to go, and we came to the right place a few minutes later. We started up the hill, and hiked through some of the most beautiful scenery I had ever seen.
Huge plants, views of the city, even a mountain goat-but no monkeys. Peggy stopped to rest for awhile, and Linda and I kept going, all the way to the top of the mountain. Still no monkeys. We started back down, and then got that fateful text from Peggy:
I have Monkeys
We found her, and the monkeys. Too many to count, fighting, playing, and grooming. The babies make cooing sounds. These pictures were not zoomed, this is how close they came.
They're well protected, and are not fed by the tourists. If they feel the need to defend their territory, they'll grunt and show you their beautiful white fangs. True story.
In all, we hiked about four hours, and according to Peggy's app, 10 miles. Next, we went to the Dream Mall, and had a late lunch at TGIFriday's. We wandered through the mall, and went up to the amusement park on the roof to ride the Ferris Wheel.
After we came back down, we went back to the hotel, and Linda went to Pingtung to see her old coworkers, and Peggy and I hung out at the hotel. Dinner was a sandwich, after all that good food, I needed something light.
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| Banyan Tree |
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| Linda and I stumbled upon a formal garden, in the middle of the jungle. |
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| Monkey Rock |
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| Wild Lilies |
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| View of Kaohsiung |
Huge plants, views of the city, even a mountain goat-but no monkeys. Peggy stopped to rest for awhile, and Linda and I kept going, all the way to the top of the mountain. Still no monkeys. We started back down, and then got that fateful text from Peggy:
I have Monkeys
We found her, and the monkeys. Too many to count, fighting, playing, and grooming. The babies make cooing sounds. These pictures were not zoomed, this is how close they came.
They're well protected, and are not fed by the tourists. If they feel the need to defend their territory, they'll grunt and show you their beautiful white fangs. True story.
In all, we hiked about four hours, and according to Peggy's app, 10 miles. Next, we went to the Dream Mall, and had a late lunch at TGIFriday's. We wandered through the mall, and went up to the amusement park on the roof to ride the Ferris Wheel.
After we came back down, we went back to the hotel, and Linda went to Pingtung to see her old coworkers, and Peggy and I hung out at the hotel. Dinner was a sandwich, after all that good food, I needed something light.
Getting there
What a weekend!
I started out at 4:30 on Friday, and took the High Speed Rail for the first time. Only one hiccup. Tongxiao doesn't have an HSR station, of course, so when I planned for this trip, I checked timetables, etc., and decided the best route would be to go to North to Hsinchu, get on the HSR there, and then South to Kaohsiung. I researched the HSR, and found that the HSR station is in Zhubei. Naturally, one would buy a ticket to Zhubei station. But one would be wrong. Very wrong. Does Zhubei sound familiar? It might, that's where I ended up last time I got on the wrong train. Avoid Zhubei, nothing good happens there. At Zhubei, they tried to tell me at first that my ticket had been cancelled. Thanks to the kindness of three Taiwanese strangers, I found out I had to go to North Hsinchu. One woman who overheard the two people trying to help realized she was taking the same train, and made sure I got to N. Hsinchu ok. I got there at 6:00, with half an hour until my train left. But I had to go to Luijia, and the cashier emphasized that I would not make it in time. I entertained the thought of simply turning around and going back to Tongxiao. If we've never met, let me tell you something about myself: I'm stubborn. Stubborn enough to get to Kaohsiung by any means necessary, even if it meant sitting on the conductor's lap the whole way. So I went to the HSR station anyway, prepared to buy another ticket (if possible). Luckily, I could use my first ticket, I just wouldn't have a reserved seat. And it got to Kaohsiung 18 minutes later than the first train. And it was so worth it. Lots of leg room, comfortable seats, and it only took 90 minutes to get there, as opposed to an express that takes four hours. I got a cab to the hotel, and met Linda there. Kaohsiung is amazing, keep watching for part 2.
I started out at 4:30 on Friday, and took the High Speed Rail for the first time. Only one hiccup. Tongxiao doesn't have an HSR station, of course, so when I planned for this trip, I checked timetables, etc., and decided the best route would be to go to North to Hsinchu, get on the HSR there, and then South to Kaohsiung. I researched the HSR, and found that the HSR station is in Zhubei. Naturally, one would buy a ticket to Zhubei station. But one would be wrong. Very wrong. Does Zhubei sound familiar? It might, that's where I ended up last time I got on the wrong train. Avoid Zhubei, nothing good happens there. At Zhubei, they tried to tell me at first that my ticket had been cancelled. Thanks to the kindness of three Taiwanese strangers, I found out I had to go to North Hsinchu. One woman who overheard the two people trying to help realized she was taking the same train, and made sure I got to N. Hsinchu ok. I got there at 6:00, with half an hour until my train left. But I had to go to Luijia, and the cashier emphasized that I would not make it in time. I entertained the thought of simply turning around and going back to Tongxiao. If we've never met, let me tell you something about myself: I'm stubborn. Stubborn enough to get to Kaohsiung by any means necessary, even if it meant sitting on the conductor's lap the whole way. So I went to the HSR station anyway, prepared to buy another ticket (if possible). Luckily, I could use my first ticket, I just wouldn't have a reserved seat. And it got to Kaohsiung 18 minutes later than the first train. And it was so worth it. Lots of leg room, comfortable seats, and it only took 90 minutes to get there, as opposed to an express that takes four hours. I got a cab to the hotel, and met Linda there. Kaohsiung is amazing, keep watching for part 2.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Friday conversation
"Do you have a laminator?"
"No, we don't do that here."
"Are you using these in class? Because they're too soft."
"Here, put them in this machine that will use heat to encase them in plastic."
"No, we don't do that here."
"Are you using these in class? Because they're too soft."
"Here, put them in this machine that will use heat to encase them in plastic."
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
One-take Wagner
Uneventful weekend, I did my broadcast in Zhunan on Friday afternoon. It went well, I discussed the Amish and French food. I ended up doing everything in one take, even the Chinese portions. I'll post something when they broadcast it. I stayed at Peggy's for the weekend. I spent Friday evening in Miaoli City, Saturday afternoon in Hsinchu, Saturday evening in Miaoli City again, and Sunday morning in Sanyi.
Trick or treaters in Hsinchu
Saturday night we checked out the luminous kite festival in Miaoli City. The quality isn't great. But the full moon made it interesting.
I'm really looking forward to next weekend, in Kaoishung with Peggy and Linda, and whoever else comes along.
Trick or treaters in Hsinchu
Saturday night we checked out the luminous kite festival in Miaoli City. The quality isn't great. But the full moon made it interesting.
I'm really looking forward to next weekend, in Kaoishung with Peggy and Linda, and whoever else comes along.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Grocery shopping, or You were right, Aunt Dawn
I've settled into a routine here, maybe that's why I haven't been posting as much. It's still warm (mid-80's) and I'm still enjoying teaching. Things aren't quite as novel as they were two months ago. I'm listening to Josh Groban sing "When every road has had its say..."
Today I was reminded of a conversation I had just before I left with my Aunt Dawn. Something about not buying weeks worth of groceries because if you don't drive, you have to haul them home. I was reminded of that today as I hauled a week's worth home at least eight blocks, sweating all the way. Then up four flights to my room. What Muskingum did for my legs, Taiwan will do for my arms. Everything goes in one bag, because you have to pay for the plastic bag, if you're blonde like me and forget to bring plastic bags every single time. Here's what I dragged home:
4 eggs
medium sized bag of chips
2 liters of green tea
laundry soap
four apples
frozen dumplings
mini frozen pizzas
dumpling sauce
Not only is it impressive because I carried it all the way back, but my bill was 652 NT. Roughly $22 in American money. And that will last a week, maybe two.
Tomorrow is an FET day at Pantou, and then we have to rehearse for a county-wide showcase that's taking place in November. Last "rehearsal" was kind of a disaster, too many people trying to direct. So this week I'm going to do a hostile takeover and get these amateurs into shape. Kind of like this:
Today I was reminded of a conversation I had just before I left with my Aunt Dawn. Something about not buying weeks worth of groceries because if you don't drive, you have to haul them home. I was reminded of that today as I hauled a week's worth home at least eight blocks, sweating all the way. Then up four flights to my room. What Muskingum did for my legs, Taiwan will do for my arms. Everything goes in one bag, because you have to pay for the plastic bag, if you're blonde like me and forget to bring plastic bags every single time. Here's what I dragged home:
4 eggs
medium sized bag of chips
2 liters of green tea
laundry soap
four apples
frozen dumplings
mini frozen pizzas
dumpling sauce
Not only is it impressive because I carried it all the way back, but my bill was 652 NT. Roughly $22 in American money. And that will last a week, maybe two.
Tomorrow is an FET day at Pantou, and then we have to rehearse for a county-wide showcase that's taking place in November. Last "rehearsal" was kind of a disaster, too many people trying to direct. So this week I'm going to do a hostile takeover and get these amateurs into shape. Kind of like this:
But I'll be a little nicer. A little.
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