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8.31.2010
Friends
I am not sure who to dedicate this one to; Drex, or Dr. Fatso. Either way, I miss them both probably equally as much. A fable is defined as; 'a short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral', so I think DF takes it, sorry Drex.
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I Know We're Going To Meet Someday In The Crumbling Financial Institutions Of This Land
They heard me singing and they told me to stop.
Quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock.
Sometimes I wonder if the world is so small that we can never get away from the sprawl.
Living in the sprawl the dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains,
And there is no end in sight.
(Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire)
Quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock.
Sometimes I wonder if the world is so small that we can never get away from the sprawl.
Living in the sprawl the dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains,
And there is no end in sight.
(Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire)
Hong Kong Pt. 2
When I arrived in Hong Kong, Alfred, my old classmate, and his pal Cherry were there to meet me. Having someone wait for you at the airport is always a great feeling, even if you already feel comfortable in the place where you are to land. Thanks for picking me up guys!
I like airports, the Hong Kong airport is especially advanced. Rated number one in the world for service a few years running now. As the Beijing airport before it, spick and span.
This is what the subway looks like when people are going to work, they stand in silence.
I don't really know what to say about Hong Kong, it is a very overwhelming place. It is warm and cut-throat and ice cold all at the same time. The people walk fast, you are shoed out of restaurants so that new guests can be ushered in, and the gap between the rich and the not rich is enough to make you question where in history the fair-line was done away with. Hong Kongnese are expert wasters of resources, energy, money, and almost anything but time. Of all the places I have been, this one gets ranked by itself in hyper-cosmopolitia.
That being said, Alfred was a wonderful host for the first night. His house, which is not as big as the living room of the Mansion, sells for almost one third of a million Canadian dollars, just to give you an idea of the HK lifestyle.
Land is beyond precious in Hong Kong, things are built up not out.
This is what I saw when I was showering, looking out the bathroom window. Alfred lives on the 34th floor, and from it you can look down on the closest thing to real science fiction.
In my last post, I made a list of things that I wanted to accomplish. The second day, Alfred and I went directly to the Chinese embassy so that I could get my visa taken care of. Not only could I not get it the same day (which meant spending at least one more day in HK on a tight schedule), but I waited in line for an hour only to have the lady working the service desk tell me that my passport was 'damaged'. She was cold, ice cold actually, not glancing at my passport for longer than it took me to take out the rest of my documents. She did not give it a second thought, I pleaded with her unsuccessfully. Her suggestion to apply for a new one would surely eat up two or three days of the four I had remaining, never mind needing my passport to apply for the Taiwan visa later on that afternoon, my primary goal.
Not going to China was something that I could accept, it was merely a bonus in my HK plan, but now I had to worry about: A) what if the Taiwanese embassy rejects my passport as well? And why shouldn't they, certainly there is some sort of standard everyone adheres to, one on the basis of which I had just been denied entry into China. B) I am going to have to spend five days in HK, making my goal of spending less than $200.00 CAD utterly impossible.
It turns out the Taiwanese embassy folks are a lot more relaxed, and I was able to pick up my passport with it's shiny new Taiwanese visa inside it the next day. I immediately went back to the airport (which I am now more than familiar with) to see if I could change my flights to an earlier date. I could, free of charge too! This is a shot from the airport.
From the airport I went back to the city, and wandered around. Alfred had already left at this point, I was without a phone or computer or anything really, so I just checked stuff out. I made friends with the buses and the subway and the roads.
I also made friends with the night.
I made this my bed for the night (sorry Mom). The ocean breeze felt fresh and salty on my skin, I dreamt nautical dreams.
Then sailors woke me up in the morning with their chattering in dialects.
I like airports, the Hong Kong airport is especially advanced. Rated number one in the world for service a few years running now. As the Beijing airport before it, spick and span.
This is what the subway looks like when people are going to work, they stand in silence.
I don't really know what to say about Hong Kong, it is a very overwhelming place. It is warm and cut-throat and ice cold all at the same time. The people walk fast, you are shoed out of restaurants so that new guests can be ushered in, and the gap between the rich and the not rich is enough to make you question where in history the fair-line was done away with. Hong Kongnese are expert wasters of resources, energy, money, and almost anything but time. Of all the places I have been, this one gets ranked by itself in hyper-cosmopolitia.
That being said, Alfred was a wonderful host for the first night. His house, which is not as big as the living room of the Mansion, sells for almost one third of a million Canadian dollars, just to give you an idea of the HK lifestyle.
Land is beyond precious in Hong Kong, things are built up not out.
This is what I saw when I was showering, looking out the bathroom window. Alfred lives on the 34th floor, and from it you can look down on the closest thing to real science fiction.
In my last post, I made a list of things that I wanted to accomplish. The second day, Alfred and I went directly to the Chinese embassy so that I could get my visa taken care of. Not only could I not get it the same day (which meant spending at least one more day in HK on a tight schedule), but I waited in line for an hour only to have the lady working the service desk tell me that my passport was 'damaged'. She was cold, ice cold actually, not glancing at my passport for longer than it took me to take out the rest of my documents. She did not give it a second thought, I pleaded with her unsuccessfully. Her suggestion to apply for a new one would surely eat up two or three days of the four I had remaining, never mind needing my passport to apply for the Taiwan visa later on that afternoon, my primary goal.
Not going to China was something that I could accept, it was merely a bonus in my HK plan, but now I had to worry about: A) what if the Taiwanese embassy rejects my passport as well? And why shouldn't they, certainly there is some sort of standard everyone adheres to, one on the basis of which I had just been denied entry into China. B) I am going to have to spend five days in HK, making my goal of spending less than $200.00 CAD utterly impossible.
It turns out the Taiwanese embassy folks are a lot more relaxed, and I was able to pick up my passport with it's shiny new Taiwanese visa inside it the next day. I immediately went back to the airport (which I am now more than familiar with) to see if I could change my flights to an earlier date. I could, free of charge too! This is a shot from the airport.
From the airport I went back to the city, and wandered around. Alfred had already left at this point, I was without a phone or computer or anything really, so I just checked stuff out. I made friends with the buses and the subway and the roads.
I also made friends with the night.
I made this my bed for the night (sorry Mom). The ocean breeze felt fresh and salty on my skin, I dreamt nautical dreams.
Then sailors woke me up in the morning with their chattering in dialects.
8.13.2010
Hong Kong
I leave for Hong Kong August 16 at 19:20, arrive at my destination at 21:00
I return to Taiwan on August 21 at 16:35
In that short interim I absolutely must:
- Apply for and subsequently receive a Taiwanese visa
I am hoping to:
- Apply for and subsequently receive a visa to go to mainland China (same day if possible)
- Hop on the 13 hour night bus to Nanning
- See all of my friends, pick up my bicycle
- Return on the same 13 hour night bus
- Hopefully not be hassled with taking my bike on the plane
- Not spend more than $200 CAD all told
Let's do this!
just put one in front of the other
I return to Taiwan on August 21 at 16:35
In that short interim I absolutely must:
- Apply for and subsequently receive a Taiwanese visa
I am hoping to:
- Apply for and subsequently receive a visa to go to mainland China (same day if possible)
- Hop on the 13 hour night bus to Nanning
- See all of my friends, pick up my bicycle
- Return on the same 13 hour night bus
- Hopefully not be hassled with taking my bike on the plane
- Not spend more than $200 CAD all told
Let's do this!
just put one in front of the other
8.11.2010
Bicycle Trip
My roommate Belle is gone at the moment. She was kind enough to lend me her bicycle, so I decided to take the opportunity to explore some of Northern Taiwan on it. Despite a warble wheel and size discrepancy I was amazed at how comfortable the ride was, such that after six hours of riding I was still feeling quite good. Taiwan has designated bike paths extending from Taipei City in most directions, some for as much as 40 km. This is a pit stop on one of those paths.
I left at around 8:00am as to avoid the afternoon sun. By this point it was 9:30am and already 30 degrees, I was around half way to my first destination, Danshui (淡水).
The body of water in this picture is the Danshui river (淡水河) which flows into the ocean, my final destination.
Right before you enter Danshui there is a small fishing boat harbor. The farther north you go, the more nautical things become, for obvious reasons.
Temples closely resembling this one can be found all over the place. I believe this one was built for ‘Matsu’ the so-called god of the sea.
Across the river is a township called ‘Bali’, who’s name shares pronunciation with the Indonesian paradise, but likely few other characteristics.
This was taken after a refreshing rainfall. I was already entirely wet from sweat, so I didn’t mind. In summer it rains nearly everyday, but only for about half an hour which is nice. On the horizon is Danshui, and beyond that the ocean.
After a some snacking in Danshui I hit the open road. There are two main roads that will take you to the ocean, one that cuts across the top corner of the island which takes you right to the tip. It is significantly longer than the alternative, and being already 2:00pm in the afternoon, I foolishly chose it.
When you get into the rural areas; the ‘truck-stop off the highway’ type places, things get poorer and seedier. I did not make it long in the afternoon sun before I decided to turn back and take the shorter route. It was nice to be on the highway though.
My sense of direction is total rubbish. I got lost more than a handful of times, resulting in an accumulative couple hours of aimless biking. I was in no rush to get anywhere however, and a little extra biking does not bother me, especially when it is in a place like Taiwan! Anyway, there was a certain beach I was trying to get to. This beach is most definitely not it, but I reached the ocean nonetheless.
I was the only one there, which is shocking. The idea of ‘only one’ doesn’t really exist on any level in Taiwan. Everything has a duplicate or a fake or a clone or all of the above. I changed right there in the middle of the beach and went for a salty dip.
Some parts were rocky, some were sandy, fun for everyone.
What’s become of you when blue meets blue and pride is still on your lips.
For Dad:
On my way home (and while lost) I happened upon a golf course. It was visible from the road, but just barely. Father’s Day is celebrated on August 8th in Taiwan. The word for eight (八) sounds almost exactly like the word for father (爸). There is not really a word for ‘August’ in Chinese, rather it is called ‘month eight’, thus, August 8 is spoken 8/8 (八八). The word for father can be repeated also, 爸爸, similar to ‘papa’ in English. Thanks to this similarity in pronunciation Father’s Day is celebrated accordingly. So happy Chinese Father’s Day, Dad!
I ended up returning home as the sun was setting, which was something I was a little worried about as the city looks fantastically different at night. The trip distance was about one hundred kilometers in total and took around seven hours.
I left at around 8:00am as to avoid the afternoon sun. By this point it was 9:30am and already 30 degrees, I was around half way to my first destination, Danshui (淡水).
The body of water in this picture is the Danshui river (淡水河) which flows into the ocean, my final destination.
Right before you enter Danshui there is a small fishing boat harbor. The farther north you go, the more nautical things become, for obvious reasons.
Temples closely resembling this one can be found all over the place. I believe this one was built for ‘Matsu’ the so-called god of the sea.
Across the river is a township called ‘Bali’, who’s name shares pronunciation with the Indonesian paradise, but likely few other characteristics.
This was taken after a refreshing rainfall. I was already entirely wet from sweat, so I didn’t mind. In summer it rains nearly everyday, but only for about half an hour which is nice. On the horizon is Danshui, and beyond that the ocean.
After a some snacking in Danshui I hit the open road. There are two main roads that will take you to the ocean, one that cuts across the top corner of the island which takes you right to the tip. It is significantly longer than the alternative, and being already 2:00pm in the afternoon, I foolishly chose it.
When you get into the rural areas; the ‘truck-stop off the highway’ type places, things get poorer and seedier. I did not make it long in the afternoon sun before I decided to turn back and take the shorter route. It was nice to be on the highway though.
My sense of direction is total rubbish. I got lost more than a handful of times, resulting in an accumulative couple hours of aimless biking. I was in no rush to get anywhere however, and a little extra biking does not bother me, especially when it is in a place like Taiwan! Anyway, there was a certain beach I was trying to get to. This beach is most definitely not it, but I reached the ocean nonetheless.
I was the only one there, which is shocking. The idea of ‘only one’ doesn’t really exist on any level in Taiwan. Everything has a duplicate or a fake or a clone or all of the above. I changed right there in the middle of the beach and went for a salty dip.
Some parts were rocky, some were sandy, fun for everyone.
What’s become of you when blue meets blue and pride is still on your lips.
For Dad:
On my way home (and while lost) I happened upon a golf course. It was visible from the road, but just barely. Father’s Day is celebrated on August 8th in Taiwan. The word for eight (八) sounds almost exactly like the word for father (爸). There is not really a word for ‘August’ in Chinese, rather it is called ‘month eight’, thus, August 8 is spoken 8/8 (八八). The word for father can be repeated also, 爸爸, similar to ‘papa’ in English. Thanks to this similarity in pronunciation Father’s Day is celebrated accordingly. So happy Chinese Father’s Day, Dad!
I ended up returning home as the sun was setting, which was something I was a little worried about as the city looks fantastically different at night. The trip distance was about one hundred kilometers in total and took around seven hours.
8.10.2010
Hot Spring Sundays
After church, Jill, Stephanie, and myself went to go check out one of Taiwan's many hot spring spots called BeiTou (北头). An MRT line consisting of one stop has been built specifically for people like us who want to go explore.
The MRT is new and shiny and nice looking
Oddly enough it even comes equipped with games in case you get bored on the five minute trip. Five minutes is the most amount of time you will spend on this subway at any time. The strange thing about the subway that goes to the North of Taiwan is that it is entirely above ground, there is nothing 'sub' about it.
In BeiTou, these happy fellows greet you with smiles and interlocked hands.
This is the town library
Inside the library
View from library
After looking at some books, we went to a nearby museum that is dedicated to hot spring history and culture. I do not know the relevance of this fake tree and poster to hot springs.
Similar to Roman baths, this is where people used to congregate and soak in deliciously sulphuric waters.
Closer to the top of the mountain is where the source for most of the subsequent hot spring tributaries is. The waters get to be about 90 degrees Celsius.
Coming from the source the water drops in both altitude and temperature, such that you can soak your feet in it.
Some people say the hot springs have healing powers. In Mandarin speaking countries, 'Athlete's Foot' is called 'Hong Kong Foot'. I have Hong Kong feet, but these waters did nothing to rid me of them. Speaking of, these two feet of mine have to take me to Hong Kong next week to deal with visa issues.
Jesus walked on water, Jill and Stephanie believe.
I've got a river of life flowing out of me! It makes the lame to walk but does not get rid of Athlete's Foot
The MRT is new and shiny and nice looking
Oddly enough it even comes equipped with games in case you get bored on the five minute trip. Five minutes is the most amount of time you will spend on this subway at any time. The strange thing about the subway that goes to the North of Taiwan is that it is entirely above ground, there is nothing 'sub' about it.
In BeiTou, these happy fellows greet you with smiles and interlocked hands.
This is the town library
Inside the library
View from library
After looking at some books, we went to a nearby museum that is dedicated to hot spring history and culture. I do not know the relevance of this fake tree and poster to hot springs.
Similar to Roman baths, this is where people used to congregate and soak in deliciously sulphuric waters.
Closer to the top of the mountain is where the source for most of the subsequent hot spring tributaries is. The waters get to be about 90 degrees Celsius.
Coming from the source the water drops in both altitude and temperature, such that you can soak your feet in it.
Some people say the hot springs have healing powers. In Mandarin speaking countries, 'Athlete's Foot' is called 'Hong Kong Foot'. I have Hong Kong feet, but these waters did nothing to rid me of them. Speaking of, these two feet of mine have to take me to Hong Kong next week to deal with visa issues.
Jesus walked on water, Jill and Stephanie believe.
I've got a river of life flowing out of me! It makes the lame to walk but does not get rid of Athlete's Foot
A Confusion Of Precedence
Making lunch
Shaved Ice
Peace, love, and kindness
Pet culture is going off here
Here's one now!
Shaved Ice
Peace, love, and kindness
Pet culture is going off here
Here's one now!
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