Sunday, November 10, 2019
Monday, August 1, 2011
問卷 Survey
We know many of you have filled out lots of surveys at the last day. We promise this will be the last one for you to fill out. This survey requires you to write more detailed comments about this trip. It gives you one more chance to recollect every precious moment from the last two very special weeks of our lives.
Please fill out the survey and send it back to me at linkroxy@gmail.com before August 4th. You can answer in Chinese or English. Please remember to put your names on the survey. Thank you very much and we sincerely wish you the best.
Roxy =)
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What inspirations have this treasure hunting trip gave you? Explain thoroughly.
Through this trip, compare what’s different from the country you’re living now to Taiwan.
Compared with your previous experiences coming back to Taiwan, does the trip make the visit any different? Please describe it in detail.
What does “Taiwan” mean to you? What is the most valuable part of Taiwan?
After this trip, do you have any different thought about “speaking Mandarin”? Why?
After seeing so many aspects of Taiwan, do you think there is anything in Taiwan that should be changed? What can you do to help to change Taiwan?
Having to reach the end of this trip, do you feel that this trip is too short and wonderful? To make up for this short visit, what would you want to see next time you visit Taiwan?
Does this trip fulfill your expectation? Why?
What are your suggestions or comments for OCAC about organizing this trip?
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Day 11
又回到北投，回到原點了，讓我想起之前一部連續劇-光陰的故事-裡的一首歌，名字叫做回到過去。
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8sVurApGKs
時間他像是河流，慢慢地輕輕推送…經過了十一天的營期，繞了台灣一圈，爬山，溯溪，捏麵人…還到了馬祖，在時光河流的推送下回到北投。一樣的飯店卻是不一樣的心情， 從一開始大家不熟卻仍有很多時間可以認識，到現在多麼希望我們可以再多那麼一點點時間，儘管是個遙不可及，遙不可及的奢望。半開玩笑才打破的沉默，旅途中的歡笑淚水歌唱，在深夜獨自的夜裡是多麼清晰卻又漸漸遠離，像是手中握不住的流沙。
什麼樣的因緣際會將我們這些平行線拉到同一個焦點上， 雖然我們參加的是海外傑出青年台灣文化研習營，為的是讓長年住海外的華裔青年能夠認識台灣，甚至是愛上台灣，但對我來說，其實他們在國外都有很多事情可以做，但是今天他們卻選擇放下工作回到台灣，讓心裡身為台灣人的驕傲悄悄發芽，也許一開始有些人僅只於認為自己是華人，而在旅途開始的那一天之後，大家都是台灣人。
Beitou Hot Springs and the Vice President
We started the day with a late morning stroll to the hot springs of Beitou. It was once the homeland of the Ketagalon people who have long since vanished. During Japanese rule, Beitou was once the pleasure district of Taipei, located on the northern basin. The sulfurous fumes emanating from the springs are renowned for shortening the lives of electronics and tarnishing metals. The waters exceed 100 degrees celsius in places and are not safe to bath in. In addition, there are high levels of lead sulfate in the water rendering it dangerous to ingest. The buildings surrounding the springs have been the focus of renovation and preservation by the municipal government as they are largely a remnant of foreign and Japanese influence as reflected in the architecture. This area was also the summer retreat of Yu Youren, father of the Control Yuan, sage of cursive script, and flowing-beard aficionado.
We then returned to the hotel to change into formal attire for our visit with the Vice President of the Republic of China: Vincent Siew (蕭萬長 or Xiao Wanchang). He was courteous enough to address some questions from the group and impressed upon us the importance of remembering who we are and where we come from. We also took a group photo in the Presidential Palace which is forthcoming. We departed carrying with us gifts of lapel pins and pop-up pamphlets.
After the meeting, we enjoyed hot pot for dinner.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Day 4 - River Tracing 101
熱情的原住民,香嫩的山豬肉,濃純的小米酒,歡樂的舞步,構成一段充實的美夢,睜開雙眼,又是一個充滿活力的早晨,在教練的帶領下,我們準備就緒開始挑戰溯溪,清涼的溪水穿透過緊身衣到皮膚,冷冽的水滴從肩膀流到了手臂,在大太陽下無疑是最好的享受,在溯溪路上的重重挑戰,夥伴之間的扶持成了重要的幫助,到了最後的關卡跳水,超越自我的勇氣,讓我們對於自我的極限又多了一分認識,雖然回去的路上疲憊不堪,但充滿熱血的回憶,卻是這趟溯溪下,我們所得到最好的寶藏!
中午的原住民菜充滿著香氣,天然的石頭湯,特別的麵包樹果實,鹹吱吱的豬肉片,香噴噴的菜餚,讓早已咕嚕咕嚕叫不停的胃有了大大的滿足
漫步在萬安社區的稻田裡,聽著一旁邱先生的介紹,讓我們更了解栽種出這黃金般的米粒是需要多麼match的風土人情,走在稻田裡看著一望無際的田園,一旁的倒影映照出我們旅遊的蹤跡,在這充滿台灣農民汗水的土地上,我們歡欣,感恩,知足
Matsu
After visiting the Iron Fort and the Stronghold, we visited the 88 Tunnels in which the Kaoliang wines are brewed and aged. A short walk from which we partook of traditional Matsu seafood. The meal consisted of mussels, oysters, fish, clams, and shrimp. Thereafter, we traveled by boat to our lodgings at Qin-bi in northern-most Matsu over looking mainland Fujian and the strait. 
Day of River-Tracing
Today, we continued to learn about the native inhabitants of Taiwan. River tracing involves following the path of a river. The rushing waves that broke down rock and created the landscape I saw before me was the same river that was providing life to the fish and quenching our thirst.
When it was my turn to jump, our guide counted to three, but I found myself still standing at the top of the cliff. Questions raced through my mind, what if I jumped too close and hit a rock, was the water below deep enough to catch my fall, was it safe to even safe to leap from this height
To succeed, we needed three ingredients:
1) Our guides knew the river like the backs of their hands. Instructing us where it was safe to jump from.
2) We worked as a team, cheering each other on, and offering hands to fellow river tracers
3) Trust ourselves, be brave, trust our guides
Return from Matsu and Danshui Visit!
It was time to leave the beautiful island of “馬祖” to head back to Taipei. We woke up early at 6:00AM and headed by boat to “南竿” airport. We wave goodbye to the picturesque scene. Back at the hotel in Beitou, we started teaching each other the different types of card games we played in our respective countries only to discover that many were similar to each other with each country adding its own local twist. For example, Slap Jack (United States), “心障病” (Taiwan), “Covered in Blanket” (Malaysia). In the afternoon, after finally having a chance to rest and reminisce over the photos we had taken thus far in the trip, we began our trek to “淡水.” The first stop was “紅毛城.” The flags of all the countries which had previously occupied Taiwan waved in the wind with Taiwan’s flag closest to the entrance. It is fascinating to see the different influences these countries have had on Taiwan’s culture and the impact they leave behind, both architecturally and culturally. The Victorian house highlighted the differences between the position of Taiwanese and foreigners in the past. For example, the floors for the bedrooms for Taiwanese had hexagonal shapes representing turtle shells versus the rooms that the English stayed at which were more ornate.
Next, we headed over to “淡水老街” where we saw many couples and families watching the beautiful sunset. Our group leader brought us to a restaurant to have “A Ge” an interesting “東粉” wrapped in “豆腐皮.” It was delicious. We ended the day with Dan Sui’s famous snacks including “鐵蛋”, “酸梅湯”, and “魚 su.”
Traditional Arts, Chingshui, and Taroko
After a morning of fun-filled wanderings, we retired from Wujie and traveled by bus south along the Suhua Highway that joins the counties of Yilan and Hualien in the east. On this road, we encountered the Chingshui Cliffs, which watch over the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Between the sea and the mountains lay a narrow strip of beach and rising-clouds obscured the peaks of the cliffs, which were wrapped in a carpet of tropical foliage.
We resumed our journey, quitting the Cliffs of Chingshui, and passing through the Taroko, the “Magnificent and Beautiful.” Taroko is a National Park of which there are seven on Formosa. The boundaries of the park encompass three counties: Taichung, Hualien, and Nantou. Within Taroko runs a gorge, cut by the Shakadang river. We ventured into the chasm whence we were soon sodden with rain and fell back to our coach to seek shelter.
Retreating from that place, we sought refuge at Leader Village where we feasted on roasted boar, shrimp, and “little rice wine.” Leader Village is a collection of low wooden buildings and a great central hall high upon a mountain clearing, approachable only by a narrow road. The natives provided us with entertainment in addition to food and drink after which we retired to our beds for the night. 
Travel to Matsu!
Today, we had the chance of a lifetime to travel to the island of Matsu. For everyone on the trip, including the camp counselors, this was very exciting since none of us have gone before and probably never will again, due to the distance from mainland Taiwan. Only specific groups of people go to Matsu; typically only men drafted in the army assigned to Matsu post will go to the island for extended periods of time. Tourists are rare and the native inhabitants on the island are limited. On the overnight boat ride to the island, it was interesting to see many army folk on the boat and sort of get a feel for their emotions as they will be stuck in Matsu for extended periods of time for duty.
We were given an opportunity to view the sunrise today also. I got up early around 5 AM but unfortunately clouds were out. However, it was a sense of serenity I had never experienced before, being on a boat in the middle of the Taiwan strait and being able to feel the early morning fog, while being able to see part of Matsu in the background. Despite some people in our group feeling seasick, I felt that this mode of transportation was a valuable experience to interact with real people traveling to Matsu and understand how isolated the island is to mainland Taiwan.Day of Treasure Hunting
Today, we went to the Jinquashih Settlement and went treasure hunting! These weren't typical "treasures" but we were on a mission to find varying points of interests in the area. In the above picture, we found the Jinquashih waterfalls. The water and surrounding rocks were yellow due to the minerals of interest in the top of the mountain. Other treasures we found were temples, special buildings in the area, and even a Allies POW camp during WWII. But the true treasure we found today were the people living the area. Since the settlement is in a hilly remote area, we had to ask some native people in the area for directions. We were so touched by their willingness to help us and even offer us car rides down the mountain. Even though we were complete foreigners, we felt right at home.
Day 5
Day 8: Wetlands and Night Market Fun
I think that the bus rides in between the sites of Taiwan’s treasures are becoming an increasingly appreciated component of our daily routine… I know that I personally cherish the accumulated hours of sleep that I get on the air conditioned bus. After an hour-long nap, we toured the Wushantou reservoir, constructed by a Japanese engineer, and the surrounding attractions. Following a delicious 蓮花大餐and another multiple-hour nap, we arrived at 高美濕地. The hot sun forced many of us to hide under our umbrellas for protection, which created an amusing sea of color as we toured the wetland. For those who chose to keep their sneakers on like me, we bought welcomingly cold drinks and 魷魚 from local vendors and engaged in rather interesting conversations, but for others like Eileen…
At the end of the eco-tour, we had some time to explore the shore of the wetland by ourselves. We had to leave our shoes on the cement walkway before the shoreline, but I felt really lucky to be able to walk around, since our tour guide told us that it was going to be closed in a month to preserve the natural environment and its inhabitants. Along the way, we saw hundreds of holes and dips in the silt. We had a lot of fun crouching in the pools of water, trying to catch crabs, shrimp, and fish. We were pretty successful! David, Robert and I were walking around, each carrying a crab in our hands. We named them Gui Gui, Pao Kuai, Ah Ge. It was really entertaining letting them run around in our cupped hands. We released them all at the end when we closer to the water. It was so beautiful with the sun nearing sunset. Unfortunately, we had to go back to our bus before the actual sunset, so we couldn’t watch it on the shore, but we caught a bit of it on the bus.
司機大哥 deftly navigated the overwhelming sea of cars and motorcycles and swarming people and safely brought us to 東海夜市 where the true fun of the day (in my personal opinion) really began. Luckily for our group, Zoe often frequents this night market, so we embarked on an adventure to find all of the yummiest items. Although initially distracted by free cookie samples and a cart with Doremon and Hello Kitty toys, we 鑽-ed our way into a sparsely lit alley for the first delicacy of the evening: 刮包. Instead of the typical colorfully adorned stand with bustling workers behind a counter, I was surprised to see a solitary woman surrounded by several tables, on which a plastic bin of 包’s and several mysterious crock pots perched. Unperturbed, Zoe ordered for us, and we returned to the main street munching on the harmonious combination of包 + 五花肉 + 煎蛋 + mustard greens + peanut powder. We completed the meal with asian-fied fried chicken sandwiches, some Taiwanese shaved ice-like thing, 大腸包小腸, and 木瓜牛奶. Although I had wished that we had more time to thoroughly explore this night market, I also greatly appreciated the expertise that Zoe and文哥 provided that allowed us to taste so many delicious things and not get utterly lost among the many people and cars. This night market trip helped me forget about being covered in mosquito bites and reminded me of one of the reasons why I love Taiwan :).