Not a City Guy Me

I've never been much of a big city guy. That goes for travel as well as living (although they are certain perks to cities for both). Anyway, arriving in Chaiyi at 3:30 Saturday afternoon, I decided I couldn't spend another night in a city. Unfortunately, the last train to Alishan (my next hopeful destination) had already left. And if I correctly interpreted the group gesturing and chatter at the bus station, the bus was also not an option. What now? Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid. I rented a scooter*. With only a highway number and a destination city name*, I braved the rush hour traffic and struck out. For a while it was iffy, but as the traffic petered out and the switchbacks took me into the clouds, I knew I made the right decision. I subsequently spent 2 nights in the tiny mountain town of Fencihu. I passed the days scooting along gorgeous, albeit hardly DOT approved, mountain roads and hiking* among mind-blowingly beautiful tiered tea plantations, cliffs, bamboo forests, waterfalls, sunrises, and six-foot-long-I'm-gonna-bite-you-and-watch-you-convulse-and-soil-yourself snakes*. Yes, getting out of the city was the right call. If I wasn't flying to Japan tomorrow, I would still be up in that cool mountain air without a horn honk or siren heard the whole night long.

Sunday March 1 2009

File under: travel, Taiwan

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on Mon 02nd Mar, 2009 06:04 am PST Hope said: Is that the infamous black mamba? Bet it got you dancing! ************************ on Mon 02nd Mar, 2009 01:58 pm PST Joe said: exciting stuff! ************************ on Tue 03rd Mar, 2009 01:25 pm PST Debbie said: Hi, Wren, enjoyed the vicarious travel. Sounds like a great trip. ************************

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Taiwanese Food Post

Everybody likes posts about food, right? I'm afraid I don't have too much to share. When traveling where I don't speak the language, I have a severely restricted food routine. Wherever I eat must either a) have an english menu (very rare) b) have a picture menu or c) have the food right there to point at. You'd be surprised at how many places that filters out. Besides chicken butt at the wedding, freshly caught and grilled shrimp, and a group meal where a local did all the ordering, I've mostly been eating street food and dumplings*. Don't get me wrong; the food I do find is good, but just not super expansive. This lack of food experience made it all the better when tonight I found myself sharing some local cuisine with Chen Li, a kind local soul who has taken me under his wing to make sure I find my way in this city* where there are very few foreigners and very little English spoken. In his quest to get me to really experience Taiwan, he chose ginger duck hot pot as a representative dish. It was good, esp. with him explaining what everything was and how it was supposed to be eaten. Afterwards, I insisted I share a little bit of Wren culture with him and we sought out some ice cream. He opted for juice instead. Yes, food is a big part of traveling. Finding a local to help guide you through what can often be a maze of options and decision almost guarantees it to be great. With all aspects of my life, I realize the good fortune I encounter and am grateful for it.

Friday February 27 2009

File under: travel, Taiwan

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on Fri 27th Feb, 2009 08:48 pm PST steve said: Gee,I seem to have seen the clothes you are wearing some time in the not too distant past!!! ************************ on Sun 01st Mar, 2009 06:57 pm PST Saxtor said: Wow, I hadn't noticed it until Steve made me go back and look....but what's with the collared shirts? I've always taken you for more of a t-shirt* kinda guy. ************************ on Sun 01st Mar, 2009 09:09 pm PST Jule said: Wren got his wardrobe back in '96, that shirt used to be fluorescent. But it looks like collars are what to wear in Taiwan. I am sure Chen Li loves to practice English and you get to eat. win-win. ************************ on Mon 02nd Mar, 2009 05:28 am PST Wren said: Just so ya'll know, I wear the collared shirts because they are thinner ergo cooler in these warm climates. But just so you know, the majority of them are hand-me-downs. ************************ on Mon 02nd Mar, 2009 09:27 pm PST Mom said: All this talk of food, all these great pictures, and not one crossword puzzle anywhere. What's up with that? ************************ on Wed 04th Mar, 2009 08:06 am PST rus said: Hon.SonNo.2. I´m following you with avidity. ************************ on Wed 04th Mar, 2009 11:29 am PST Juline said: Tsk, tsk, you are prepared for everything but how to order local food! Do you know how to ask for "your most popular item"? You're getting a lot of grief about your wardrobe. What's up with that? ************************

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Taroko Gorge

I don't know quite how to say it without sounding overly hyperbolic, but Taroko Gorge is pretty much the coolest thing I've ever seen. There's no way that my pictures will do any sort of justice, so you'll just have to take my word for it*. I rented a scooter* in Hualien (where I've been staying the last couple days) and scooted the 20 or so miles out to the entrance of Taroko National Park. (Being back on a scooter in the land of scooters was quite a feeling, but I'll have to address that another time.) Right from the park entrance, I knew it was going to be a good day. The road twisted and turned through tunnels and over bridges. Every other km there was a pull out for some new spectacular view. In addition to a great drive on an amazing road, I got in a nice little* hike. Again with the tunnels and bridges, but this time only for hikers. It is amazing how much effort obviously went into creating and maintaining these trails. If I could do it again, I would plan on staying (maybe camping) up the gorge to have more time to explore and simply marvel at it all. But so it goes... I really shouldn't complain.

Wednesday February 25 2009

File under: travel, Taiwan

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on Wed 25th Feb, 2009 03:11 pm PST Saxtor said: Woah, that place looks awesome! ************************ on Wed 25th Feb, 2009 04:13 pm PST Juline said: I love the convex mirror shot. The place looks deserted. And beautiful. ************************ on Wed 25th Feb, 2009 08:35 pm PST Andrew said: It does indeed, rule. Great place! Glad you made it! ************************ on Wed 25th Feb, 2009 09:02 pm PST Sarah F said: wow! that's amazing. i never would have imagined there was such a place in Taiwan. ************************ on Thu 26th Feb, 2009 12:28 am PST Joe said: great pix. I especially love the action shot of you walking. you're like les stroud, survivorman, having to set up your own shots and then capture yourself in the action. awesome. u have such vision! i know you saw that ledge and thought, "i can get an action shot here!" :-) good stuff wren ************************ on Thu 26th Feb, 2009 02:50 pm PST Deneva said: Looks amazing! ...trying to remember my exact reasoning for choosing Spokane over Taiwan ;) ************************ on Mon 02nd Mar, 2009 05:29 am PST Wren said: Joe, I love the idea of me as survivor man, at least in respect to setting up the shots. Now everytime I use the timer on my camera, I think of that. Good times. ************************

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Twitter from Taipei

With the recent craze being all about uber-short updates in the third person (a la facebook status and twitter), I thought I would give said format a try. You know me: always pushing the blogging limits. (Oh, and click on the little pictures to get big pictures.) Wren could get used to dumplings for breakfast. (Sunday 8:32 am) Wren is pround of his public transportation skillz, esp. when he doesn't speak the language. (Sunday 9:49 am) Wren realizes too late that a weekend is a bad time to visit the National Palace Museum. (Sunday 10:52 am) Wren is grateful for the numerous and amazingly calming parks throughout Taipei. (Sunday 11:28 am) Wren is afraid that the discovery of a $0.12 dumpling place could lead to a nasty addiction. (Sunday 12:18 pm) Wren is a sucker for engineering marvels*. (Sunday 1:55 pm) Wren wishes he had fog/smog/haze penetrating vision (but at least isn't afraid of heights). (Sunday 2:12 pm) Wren's legs are tired from a heck of a lot of walking*. (Sunday 5:45 pm) Wren is stoked to be going shrimping! (Sunday 6:29 pm) Wren caught one. (Sunday 8:14 pm) Wren is one satisfied hosteller*. (Sunday 11:03 pm)

Monday February 23 2009

File under: travel, Taiwan

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on Mon 23rd Feb, 2009 09:03 pm PST Mom said: Wren would be well advised to hide that shrimping photo from the local salmon fishermen. Was it big enough to be a pole bender? Doubtful. ************************ on Tue 24th Feb, 2009 09:45 am PST Saxtor said: Evan found this post amusing and is glad you're having a good time in Taiwan. ************************ on Tue 24th Feb, 2009 02:26 pm PST Joe said: Joe still doesn't know wtf Twitter is. And furthermore, doesn't care to find out. ************************ on Tue 24th Feb, 2009 04:14 pm PST Dave said: that shrimp picture brings a little international flavor to the trout pond excursions kids go on for birthday trips. ************************ on Tue 24th Feb, 2009 09:37 pm PST Jule said: Awesome ************************ on Wed 25th Feb, 2009 12:12 am PST Horge said: Horge agrees with Joe on Twitter. About all he knows is that Ashton Kutcher does it, which is not exactly a ringing endorsement in George's eyes. ************************ on Wed 25th Feb, 2009 12:12 am PST Horge said: That said, Horge still enjoys this post :) ************************ on Wed 25th Feb, 2009 04:19 pm PST Juline said: Juline is also skeptical of Twitter (though admits to giving it a test run), would love to try one of those dumplings (or four or five), and believes that walking is the only way to truly experience a new locale. And she hopes that Wren is taking a lot more photos than he is posting in his blog. ************************ on Wed 04th Mar, 2009 05:58 pm PST Amiel Martin said: what is you'r twitter user name? im at @amiel ************************ on Wed 04th Mar, 2009 06:03 pm PST Wren said: This is about as close as I come to twittering (except to go to their site (for the first time) to figure out how to format this post...). ************************

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A Taiwanese Wedding

While it has been said before, I want to add my heartiest congratulations to Bob and Nicole, and wish them many many years of happiness together. They were married (Taiwanese style) last night here in Taipei and I had the honor of attending. Never been to a traditional Taiwanese wedding? It is different. Disco lights, constume changes (3 for the bride), an M.C., not a word of english (except the occasional "Bob" dropped here and there), and food that I was glad I couldn't identify. (A local woman at our table tried to convince us we were eating pig ankle and chicken butt. I believed her.)* There were replacements for the traditions I'm familiar with (throwing the boquet became this ribbon tying affair that involved all the single ladies) and then traditions that were far above my western head. And while I might not have understood it all, I was grateful to be there to witness and support Bob and Nicole in their union.

Saturday February 21 2009

File under: travel, Taiwan

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on Sat 21st Feb, 2009 05:09 pm PST Kat said: How many costume changes did you have? ************************ on Sun 22nd Feb, 2009 12:20 am PST Bob said: thanks a lot wren! it was great that you could come. hope you can make it shrimp fishing tonight! ************************ on Sun 22nd Feb, 2009 10:28 am PST amanda said: Congratulations Bobby Hance! ************************ on Tue 24th Feb, 2009 09:39 pm PST Jule said: Chicken butt is my favorite! ************************

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That First Step

For me, the hardest part of travel isn't the language barrier, the uncertainity of where I will sleep that night, or overcoming fear of the unknown (although none of these things is particularly easy). The hardest part is the first step; walking out the door with everything I need, hoping that I've taken care of everything that needs my attention, hoping that I'm not getting myself in over my head, questioning if this is what I should be doing, trusting that it will all be okay. Once that first step is taken, my doubts and fears almost fade away, because I know whether I forgot to pack something, forgot to do something, gotten in over my head or whatever, there is nothing I can do about it now. So I've completed the hardest part (not without hestitation, etc.). I'm here in Taipei. And the first half-day of romaing did away with what lingering doubts and fears there may have been. There is just so much neat stuff to see: Scoot Scoot's relatives, delicious new treats, and culture, culture, culture.

Thursday February 19 2009

File under: travel, Taiwan

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on Fri 20th Feb, 2009 05:52 am PST Nesbitt said: I love Pocari Sweat from my Japan days. They had the funniest commercials. ************************ on Fri 20th Feb, 2009 07:08 am PST soreyes said: Pick me up a few cases of "Made In's" ************************ on Fri 20th Feb, 2009 11:32 am PST Sweet Julie said: Love all the Scoot Scoots!!! The question is though, do they have ice cream, and how is it!? ************************ on Fri 20th Feb, 2009 06:00 pm PST Andrew said: Damn I could go for some Supau and betel nut! http://www.brothersroot.com/blog/?p=385 ************************

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Minor Media Coverage

They say there is no such thing as bad press, right? Well, I would argue the same about minor press "coverage". A friend brought me a copy of the latest North Cascades Challenger, the North Cascades National Park Visitor's Guide for 2008-2009 (online here although it seems to be an older copy as I couldn't find the same picture). Lo and behold, who is that on page 3? This picture must have been taken 3 years ago at least. Probably more. I haven't been up that way in ages. Anyway, it is always a pleasant surprise when something like this happens. And since a blog is analogous to a scrap book*, I thought I would "paste" the clipping here.

Wednesday February 18 2009

File under: misc

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on Wed 18th Feb, 2009 12:49 pm PST Joe said: can't tell when that was takin cuz you've been wearing that same outfit since I've known you, so like, 20 years haha ************************ on Wed 18th Feb, 2009 01:43 pm PST amanda said: Ah, that's so crazy! ************************ on Wed 18th Feb, 2009 11:51 pm PST Mom said: Oh, Zing! Joe. Good call. ************************ on Thu 19th Feb, 2009 07:25 am PST Sweet Julie said: I was thinking the same thing when I saw the pic too, Joe! ************************

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Vaudevillingham

Last night, I attended Vaudevillingham, the monthly variety show put on by the Bellingham Circus Guild. Basically an amateur vaudeville show (and I mean amateur not in a bad way, just in an obviously not extensively rehearsed but none-the-less very entertaining way), Vaudevillingham is a way for members of the guild and others to try out new material in front of a live studio audience. You never know what you are going to get and in the 2 shows I've been to, this couldn't be more of an understatement: belly dancers, aerialists, a strip tease violin act, a mock game show, sasquatch fashion show, many many dudes in tighty-whities, classical piano interpretations, and much much more. The one thing missing from the shows I've been to is juggling. I'm almost tempted to work up an act of my own to balance it out, but we all know that isn't going to happen. If you happen to be in Bellingham on the 15th of any month, stop by the Cirque Lab for a night of matchless entertainment. The proceeds go to help pay for the cost of maintaining the Cirque Lab, a space for classes, workshops, juggling club meetings(!), and more.

Monday February 16 2009

File under: juggling

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on Fri 20th Feb, 2009 03:21 pm PST Amiel Martin said: In the interest of juggling at vaudevillingham, do you want to do an act with me? ************************

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Ridiculous beard 5712

If on initial glance, this doesn't look like it should fall into the ridiculous beard category, good because I'm actually leaving the house wearing this one (unless I chicken out here in the next couple hours). And if on initial glance this didn't look ridiculous, you probably don't get the timeliness of it. Try hovering your mouse over the image and see if that helps. Get it? I debated on whether to go with the heart goatee or try to work some cheek hearts (possibly connected to the sideburns), but I think this turned out well.* A special thanks to Deanna for doing the fine trim and shaping work. I simply don't have those art skillz. Last time it was a special beard for Halloween and now for Valentine's day. Maybe next time I will shoot for my beard tribute to Flag Day.

Saturday February 14 2009

File under: beard

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on Sat 14th Feb, 2009 06:47 pm PST Joe said: haha...nice, i really hope you left it like that. ************************ on Sat 14th Feb, 2009 09:36 pm PST Saxtor said: Impressive, yes. Creepy, YES! ************************ on Sun 15th Feb, 2009 06:44 am PST Mom said: Hey, great beard! Next time around try working that deep dimple into the design, eh? ************************ on Sun 15th Feb, 2009 03:19 pm PST Root Mama said: I can't wait to see what trim you'll come up with for flag day. ************************ on Sun 15th Feb, 2009 08:29 pm PST Sweet Julie said: Aaawww, Wren! You are so sentimental! I always get so excited when I see a Wren-facial-hair blog posting!!! I think they are my favorites :) ************************ on Sun 15th Feb, 2009 11:41 pm PST Horge said: Two words: Columbus Day. Can't wait to see your beard on October 13! Maybe a "drawing" of Mr. Columbus on one cheek and the Santa Maria on the other. Then for Halloween, you'll probably have enough new hair grown back to turn him into a scary pirate with a pirate ship. If not, make him a skeleton... ************************ on Mon 16th Feb, 2009 03:05 am PST Dave said: Wren, I'll incorporate you into a lesson if you can do Pearl Harbor Day. ************************ on Wed 18th Feb, 2009 12:25 am PST Juline said: That cracked me up. Nicely done. ************************

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FC 62 - Seeing Red

Okay, so maybe the poem isn't nearly as good as most of the ones ya'll have submitted, but once again I had a hoot with the drawing*. But seriously, thanks so much for all your Roses Are Red submissions. I esp. liked the meta-poems (poems about the other poems). Good good times. Feel free to keep submitting up through Saturday, if inspiration strikes you. There are a few folks out there that I know have one stored up. Share it with the world!!*. So this is going to be the last friday comic for a while,* as I am headed off on another adventure and won't need the filler. There might be one or two that I am inspired to post from the road, but I'm hoping to have lots of stories and pictures to share. I hope to start it back up when I'm back home with little else to post about. If you are hurting for a dose of Friday Comics, check out the page I'm working on for the comics. No defenses, caveats, ramblings, or what have you; just the comic in full. The next free stint I have couple with inspiration, I wanna tidy it up, add it to my ever growing sub-pages, and maybe even spin it off in its own domain*. Until then, have a look through some of the older comics. I am often surprised to hear myself laugh out loud at some of the ones I've forgotten about.

Friday February 13 2009

File under: comic

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