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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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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Monday February 23 2009 | File under: travel, Taiwan |
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Red roses and candy
Is what she really wants Instead of this poem Written in funny fonts I'm posting this a little earlier than usual in hopes that it gives everyone a chance to get their entries in for the 3rd annual BdW Roses are Red Poetry Slam*. As always, your poem must: * be 4 lines long * follow the standard ABCB "Roses are red" rhyme/stress pattern * make reference to either "red" or "roses" For inspiration (or glorious, glorious diversion) check out entries from year 1 and year 2. Submit your entries via the comments portion of this post. Feel free to use a pseudonym if you'd rather not have people know it was your poem. Feel free to submit more than once. Feel free to cover any topic and be as creative as you like, as long as you follow the rules*. Now let the poems roll! |
Monday February 9 2009 | File under: poetry, holidays |
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