I admit it. This picture was taken a few years ago, but I think I still look vaguely like that. Depends on the day (and the time of day). And today, just before I uploaded this picture, an Indonesian English student told me how much she liked my nose. I heard that a lot in Indonesia. Apparently, a large nose like mine is a good …
Read the full story »Tapdancing Giant Flies and Other Wonders – A Performance at Wenshan Theater
Saturday December 1, 2012
9:37 a.m. 7-11 on Chang-An Road in Taipei
I am at a second 7-11 very close to my apartment in Taipei. I thought I’d give my usual one a break and hang out at this second one. It’s December 1st. It’s not pouring rain right now, but it is still gloomy and overcast. Sprinkling a little bit. It is supposed to rain all …
Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail
I’d been interested in hiking along the Sandiaoling Waterfall trail for a while now. I’d read about it on Richard Saunders’ blog here and Stu Dawson’s blog here. It appeared to be a relatively easy hike without a lot of long climbs yet with a lot of scenic spots along the way. I haven’t gone in the past partially because I wasn’t sure about the …
Photo Post: Teapot Mountain Lookout Point
These are the steps leading up to the top of Teapot Mountain. Many of the shorter trails in Taiwan (and even some of the long ones) have stone steps built into them. I began the hike up this trail from the Gold Ecological Park in Jinguashi, though it appears it’s possible to drive most of the way to this lookout point below. That’s Keelung Mountain …
Photo Post: Blue Sky Temple Ceiling
I was quite taken with this blue sky and cloud-filled ceiling at this temple. You see lots of bright colors at temples in Taiwan, but I don’t think I’ve seen blue very often. I’m fairly certain that is a statue of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion and mercy, in the temple. On the plate on the table are small wooden objects used in fortune telling. …
Photo Post: Censer
Just as I can’t resist taking pictures of the guardian lions at temples, I also can’t resist taking pictures of the censers. This one was taken looking through the censer in toward the temple and the ceiling. I like the large sticks of incense one often finds in the middle. I’m not sure how much more they cost than the smaller sticks. In fact, I …
Photo Post: Temple Statue
I don’t know who this figure is, but I’m curious to find out. The statue was at a temple on Route 106 between Taipei and Pingxi. The temple appeared to be dedicated to gods of wealth and fortune, so I assume this fellow has something to do with money. The fact that he is painted all in yellow gold seems to support that idea.
Kishu An Forest of Literature in Taipei
This building is part of the Kishu An Forest of Literature in Taipei. It’s a space where literature lovers can hang out, drink coffee, meet authors, and participate in literature-related events. It’s located on Tongan Street down by the river. Take exit 2 out of Guting MRT station and then walk down Tongan Street to nearly the very end.
According to what I’ve read online, the …
Photo Post: Guardian Lion
I can never resist taking a picture of a guardian lion at a temple here in Taiwan. There are generally (always?) two such lions – one male and one female. The male often has a ball underneath its right paw. The ball can represent the world. The female has a lion cub on its back underneath its left paw. I understand that the male often …
