October - December 2014
1. The Beauty of Taitung Triathlon 台東之美鐵人三項 (October 2014)
These pictures were taken during the second day of the 2014 Beauty of Taitung Triathlon. It was a bit windy, but the weather was good. 這些照片是2014年台東之美鐵人三項的第二天. 那一天天氣不錯, 只是風比較大.
This is where the swimming section starts, at the Forest Park's Flowing Water Lake. The lake is about 1 kilometer from end to end, and maybe 200 meters across. I believe they swam 750 meters on that day. 游泳的部分是在台東森林公園裡的活水湖舉行. 這個湖的長度差不多一公里. 寬度差不多200公尺. 他們那一天好像游750公尺.
Lifeguards preparing for the race. This picture was taken from the same spot, facing the opposite direction. 救護人員正在準備當中, 這是與上一張同一個地點拍的,只是面對的方向不同.
The first wave getting ready. This is usually the most dangerous part of any triathlon. There are a lot of people in the water, and many of them are very nervous about swimming. 第一波的選手正在準備. 這個部分通常是鐵人三項賽中最危險的. 因為有很多選手同時在水中, 而且其中還有很多選手怕水.
After the first wave left, the lifeguards helped these two women back to the shore. It is not uncommon to see people having panic attacks in the water. 第一波離開湖岸以後, 救護人員幫這兩個女選手回到岸邊. 這樣的情景很常見, 好多人下水以後變得很驚慌.
The leaders of the first wave, returning. 第一波中最快的選手游回終點.
Start of the bike section, just up from the Flowing Lake. The green carpet on the left is the route from the lake to the transition area. 這是單車部分的起點. 就在活水湖旁邊. 左邊那個綠色的地毯是游泳的終點到單車區的步道.
The beginning of the bike section. During this day the bike section was only 20 KM, extending from the Forest Park to Shan Yuan Beach and back. 單車比賽的起點. 那一天他們騎程的距離是20公里. 從森林公園到杉原海灘後再回來.
Near the start of the 5 kilometer run. The Flowing Lake is on the right. Participants ran around the lake, through the more forested sections of the Forest Park, and through another gate just behind where the swimming section started. 這是5公里路跑的起點附近. 活水湖在右邊. 選手們繞著湖跑, 之後跑進去公園裡穿過樹林, 再回到游泳比賽起點的附近的終點.
2. Three Fairies Bridge 三仙台 (November 2014)
These pictures were taken at Taitung's most famous tourist attraction, the Three Fairies Bridge. This bridge/scenic area is at the north end of Taitung County, in Cheng Gong Municipality. 這些照片是台東縣最有名的觀光景點---三仙台. 三仙台位於台東縣北部的成功鎮.
I've had arguments with people about how to translate 三仙台 into English. Some people use "San Shian Tai" or "Sansiantai." Other people prefer "Three Fairies Bridge," or "Three Immortals Bridge." It all depends on how you translate 仙. 我跟很多人討論過怎麼翻譯三仙台這個名稱. 有的人認為是"San Shian Tai"或是"Sansiantai," 還有人認為是"Three Fairies Bridge"或是"Three Immortals Bridge." 這取決於"仙"這個字的認定.
This is the main path leading to the bridge. The wind was very strong that day. 這是往橋的最大的步道. 那一天風很大.
Local flora. The fruit of these plants, called lin tou in Chinese, can be used to make juice. This juice is mixed with sugar cane, and it is very good on a hot day. 那邊的植物. 靠近岩石的植物會長出水果. 這種水果叫林投果. 林投果汁可以喝 , 很適合炎熱的天氣.
This is just a picture of rocks. Really. Just rocks. 這就只是石頭. 沒錯. 石頭.
You might have thought it was a picture of trees. But no. It's just rocks. 你可能想這是張有樹的照片. 但不是. 只是石頭.
Closer to the bridge. The island on the other side is a favorite haunt of local fishermen. 比較靠近橋的部分. 附近的居民很喜歡在另一邊的小島釣魚.
View of the coast. The town on the other side is also called San Shian Tai. It's a sleepy little place. 海邊的風景. 另外一邊的村子也叫三仙台. 很鄉下的地方.
View from the bridge, also looking back towards the coastline. 橋上的風景. 往海岸的方向.
3. A Wedding in Tai Ma Li 太麻里的婚禮 (November 2014)
We were half an hour late, and trying to find a restaurant in Tai Ma Li at 7 PM. There aren't a lot of street lights in Tai Ma Li, and I was wondering if we hadn't already passed by our destination. We knew that the restaurant was in a small village near the highway, but in Tai Ma Li there are a lot of small villages near the highway, each designated by signs that are easy to miss at night. 我們已經遲到半個小時. 在太麻里晚上七點的時候找一家餐廳. 太麻里的路燈不多. 我開始猜想是否已經錯過那家餐廳. 我們只知道那家餐廳在公路旁邊的小村子, 可是太麻里公路旁邊的小村子很多. 雖然每個村子在路邊都有名牌, 可是天黑的時候找牌子是件很難的事情.
Eventually we found the restaurant, which I can now tell you is located near Da Shu (Big Tree), where Highway 9 starts to climb up a big hill. We parked the car in front of a betel nut stand, and I followed my wife and daughters into the restaurant. 我們終於找到那家餐廳. 現在我可以告訴你它在一棵大樹附近, 靠近台9線開始走上坡的地方. 我們把車停在一個檳榔攤旁邊後, 我和我太太及兩個女兒一起走進去餐廳.
Inside, in a back yard behind the restaurant, an American friend was standing next to his pregnant wife. Standing next to them was a man dressed in Paiwan clothing, and next to this man was another woman, translating everything he said into English. There were about 30 people there. 餐廳後面有個院子. 我的美國朋友跟他懷孕的新娘一起站著. 他們旁邊有一位穿著排灣族服飾的先生, 他的旁邊還有一位小姐把他說的話翻譯成英文. 大概有三十個人左右參加婚禮.
The man in Paiwan clothing said a few ceremonial words, and then husband and wife took a drink from a long wooden cup for two people. Then he asked the groom's best man to come down, and share a drink with the bridesmaid. The man in Paiwan clothing explained the goings-on as various people took drinks from the two-person cup, and after a few minutes we were all encouraged to eat and drink. 穿排灣族服飾的人說一些祝詞, 然後新郎跟新娘一起用木條上的木杯喝了一杯酒. 之後他請新郎最好的朋友跟新娘最好的朋友去前面一起喝酒. 他們喝酒的時候那位穿排灣族服飾的人也介紹這婚禮的儀式意義. 儀式結束就是用餐時間了.
Which we did. The food was very good, and I ate more of it than I should have. The stars were very bright overhead, and everyone was in a good mood. We ate, and ate, and talked, and ate, and when we weren't eating or talking we took copious sips of beer. I talked with the groom for a bit about the child he was expecting. Others at the table were talking about surfing, or music, or life on the east coast of Taiwan. All in all, it was a very pleasant evening. 我們就不客氣了. 餐廳的食物很好吃, 我吃得太撐了. 天空上的小星星很亮, 大家都很開心. 我們吃很多, 講很多, 又喝很多. 我跟新郎談到他期待著的寶寶, 其他同桌的人談衝浪, 音樂, 或是台灣東部的生活方式. 是個很美好的晚上.
I've been to a lot of weddings in Taiwan, but that was the most relaxed. And what better way to start a long-term partnership, than with a simple ceremony beneath the stars? Weddings should be joyful occasions, and it's a shame that they are often bogged down with ceremony, and with expense, and with expectations. 我在台灣去過很多婚禮, 只有這個是最輕鬆的. 我覺得這種在夜空下的簡單婚禮是兩個人要一輩子生活在一起的好起點. 婚禮應該是一件快快樂樂的事情, 可惜它們常常被傳統, 金錢, 和個人意見變嚴肅了.
After a few hours we packed the kids back in the car and headed home. As we did so, I reflected on my own wedding, 14 years ago. Life moves so fast sometimes, and before you know it you are a husband, a wife, a father, or a mother, remembering a wedding that happened - it seems - only yesterday. 幾個小時以後, 我們帶孩子上車回家. 我們離開的時候, 我想到自己十四年前的婚禮. 有時候人的一生過得好快, 在你察覺前已經由一個單身貴族成為別人的先生, 太太, 爸爸或媽媽, 想到自己的婚禮, 感覺有如昨日.
4. Election Time 選舉時間 (November 2014)
Elections are on the way, and candidates all over Taiwan are trying to make their presence felt. We're still a ways away from Presidential elections, but all of the other offices are up for grabs. There are billboards along every highway, and roads are often blocked by local political rallies. 選舉快到了, 所有的候選人都努力地讓民眾感受到他們的存在. 離總統大選還有很長一段時間, 而各個縣市政府各層級的候選人全都蓄勢待發. 公路上沿途可見候選人的廣告牌, 馬路也常因競選集會而不通.
In Taitung there are two guys up for the office of county magistrate. One of these is the current magistrate, Huang Jiang-Ting (Justin Huang) 黃健庭, and the other is Liou Jhao-hao 劉櫂豪. Huang Jian-Ting is featured on billboards that run the length of Taitung County, and he is hard at work campaigning as I write this. His competitor, Liu Zhao-hao, is neither as popular or as conspicuous. He has a small office in front of Taitung's Triangle Park, very few billboards, and the odds of him winning this election are extremely low. 競選台東縣長的候選人有二位. 其中一位是現任的縣長黃建庭, 另外一位是劉櫂豪. 臺東縣到處都有黃建庭的廣告牌. 他最近也很努力地參加競選. 他的對手劉櫂豪的人氣沒那麼好, 也沒有那麼多人認識他. 他在三角公園對面有個辦公室. 他的廣告牌不多, 他的被選上的可能性不大.
Below the office of county magistrate, several other offices are up for grabs. These include the mayorship 鄉鎮市長 of Taitung City, Cheng Gong Municipality, Guanshan Municipality, Beinan Township, Lu Ye Township, Chr Shang Township, and Dong He Township. The person running for the mayorship of Dong He Township is running unopposed. 除了縣長選舉, 還有其他的選舉. 這些包含台東市長, 成功鎮長, 關山鎮長, 卑南鄉長, 鹿野鄉長, 池上鄉長, 還有東河鄉長的選舉. 東河鄉的候選人只有一個人.
In addition, there are A LOT of people running for the office of "village chief" 村里長. The offices up for grabs are not only in rural areas, and many of these "villages" are actually part of Taitung City. There are 289 candidates for village chief, many running unopposed, with at most seven candidates running for any one office. 還有很多人要當村里長. 村里長這個職位不只在鄉下的地方有. 很多"鄉村"是在台東市裡面. 村里長有289候選人. 很多村里長只要出來選就自動當選, 因為只有一個候選人. 一個村里長的職位最多能有七個候選人.
Then there are the city and county council members 縣市議員. Membership in the council is divided into 15 districts, a number which roughly corresponds to the number of townships and municipalities in the county. The most popular city council position is the first district, with 17 candidates, followed by the seventh district, with 7 candidates. All of the other positions have between one and four candidates. 再來有縣市議員的選舉. 議會中的議員分為15區, 這些區的區分跟台東鄉鎮市有關係. 最熱門的地區是第1區, 有17個候選人. 第二名是第7區, 有7個候選人. 其他地區則有1到4個候選人.
Lastly there are the city, township, and municipality-level representatives 鄉鎮市民代表. Of these offices there are between one and five depending on the size of the city, township, or municipality. There are no more than nine candidates for any one position, with the exception of the Orchid Island Township representative, which has 20 candidates. 最後有鄉鎮市民代表. 每個鄉鎮市有一到五個代表. 代表的人數取決於鄉鎮市的大小. 每個代表的候選人數最多是9個, 但是蘭嶼除外, 他們有20個候選人.
That, all in all, is an overview of the elections taking place. Besides the offices, of course, there are also the party affiliations of the candidates. Suffice to say that Huang Jian-Ting is a member of the KMT, is extremely popular, and many other candidates would see membership in the KMT as advantageous to their future political careers. The KMT has always been strong in Taitung County, and President Ma Ying-jeou's 馬英九 unpopularity has done little to change that. 以上是這次台東縣的選舉的大概. 除了職位之外, 當然還有每一個候選人的黨籍. 我只想說很受歡迎的黃健庭是國民黨的. 還有很多候選人覺得選舉成功與否在於是否是國民黨員. 國民黨在台東很強, 馬英九總統受不受歡迎並不影響台東的國民黨.
I have also skipped over two very important things in this election. These two things are the issues under discussion, and the responsibilities of each official. What, after all, does a county magistrate really do? And how does Huang Jian-ting's position on issue X differ from that of Liu Zhao-hao? While a discussion of such things would be meaningful, it would take me ages to write and you ages to read through. For the sake of simplicity, I'll try to tackle these two aspects of local elections at another time. 我也沒有討論到兩件重要的事情. 這兩件事情就是每個候選人的政見跟政治責任. 比方說縣長到底在做什麼? 黃建庭跟劉櫂豪的政見哪裡不一樣? 我覺得討論這種事情很有趣, 可是寫這種文章要很久, 你也要讀很久. 這次簡單一點, 我改天再討論這兩件事情.
As a foreign resident, I am not allowed to vote in local elections, but I find the process very interesting, and getting to know how the local government works has been an interesting and educational experience for me. Were I able to vote, I'd be voting more on environmental issues, and less on economic concerns. Taitung has undergone a lot of development recently, and I cannot say that all of it is good. 從美國來的我沒有投票權, 可是我覺得學習台灣的政府跟選舉方法很有趣. 如果我可以投票的話, 我投票時會比較關心環保議題而不是經濟. 最近台東發展快速, 可是這種發展不一定是公平的.
5. Running on Fumes 臭氣路跑 (November 2014)
Last weekend I took part in the Taiwan Sugar Corporation's "Sweet Road Run." This road run started and ended at the Jianshanpi Jiangnan Resort in Tainan County, about an hour north of Tainan City. It took me about two hours to finish the half marathon. 上個周末我參加了甜蜜台糖公益路跑. 路跑比賽的起點跟終點都在台南縣尖山埤江南渡假村. 從台南市區開車往北走到那裡差不多一個小時. 我花了兩個小時左右跑完半馬拉松.
The Jianshanpi Jiangnan Resort is near the Jianshanpi Reservoir. From the "Formosa Freeway" (number 3), you take the Liou Ying 柳營 exit, and from there the signs lead to the resort. There is a small farming town just outside the entrance, which is on the other side of a forested hill. 尖山埤江南渡假村在尖山埤水庫附近. 在福爾摩沙高速公路柳營出口處有指示牌指往度假村的方向. 度假村的大門前有一個小農村. 農村後面的山坡就是度假村的所在地.
The race started at 7 AM, but due to the calamitous parking situation I was late in starting the race. The race organizers had designated two parking areas on either side of the freeway, but the roads around there are small, and confusion reigned. The people attempting to direct traffic had no idea what they were doing, and all we could do was find a relatively convenient parking space, and follow the crowds to our destination. 路跑從早上7點開始, 可是停車的狀況混亂到我沒辦法準時開跑. 主辦單位在高速公路出口的兩邊都有停車場, 可是那附近的路很小, 到處都塞車. 指揮交通的工作人員也沒掌握好情況. 我們只能隨便找一個停車位, 然後跟著人群走到路跑的起點.
The running course described a lazy circle around the local tourist sites. We passed through the Du Yuan 德元 Dutch Village, and from there out into farmland. We ran up a long straight road past factories, and from there into a series of towns before following a long boulevard back towards the resort. I managed to run the first 16 km, but after that I had to walk/run to the finish. 路跑的路線繞經當地觀光景點一圈. 我們跑進去德元度假村, 之後跑經大片農地. 也跑經過很多工廠, 再跑進去一些農村, 最後跑了一條很長的路到終點. 我剛開始跑了16公里, 可是後面的5公里我只能一邊跑一邊走.
As I ran or walked, the smell of pigs wafted my way from every direction. Pig farming is big business in that part of Taiwan, and the smell was not pleasant. There were also strange odors emanating from the factories we passed, and also exhaust from trucks passing by us on narrow roads. It was definitely the worst smelling road race I've ever attended, and perhaps also the worst organized. 我一邊跑一邊走的時候, 到處都是豬的味道. 在這個地區很多人養豬, 所以味道超重. 還有其它的味道從工廠冒出來. 也有經過我們的卡車的廢氣. 這個路跑比賽是我參加過的路跑比賽中最臭的. 也可能是最亂的.
Just the same, I was happy to cross the finish line, and happy to get a bottle of water. I was tired, I was hot, and I was ready to stop running. The "Sweet Run" might not have been the best running experience I've ever had, but if nothing else it was a story to tell. The Sweet Run? Not so sweet after all. 不管臭和亂, 我還是很高興跑到終點, 也很開心拿到一瓶水喝. 我很熱也很累, 也準備好休息了. 雖然這一次的路跑比賽不是我最好的運動比賽經驗, 可是跑完之後就有故事可以說了. 甜蜜路跑? 沒有那麼甜蜜.
6. East Coast National Scenic Area Visitor's Center and the Amei Tribe Cultural Center 東部海岸國家風景管理處跟阿美族民俗中心 (November 2014)
I took these pictures last month during a school field trip. The East Coast National Scenic Area and the Amei Tribe's Cultural Center are right next to each other. It's a nice place to visit. 這是上個月戶外教學時拍的照片. 東部海岸國家風景管理處就在阿美族民俗中心旁邊. 這裡的風景很棒.
7. Historic Tainan 充滿歷史感的台南 3 (December 2014)
Pictures taken in Tainan County three weeks ago. I was on my way to the "Sweet Run" near the Jiang Nan resort. 這些照片是在台南拍的. 我那時候去參加台糖的甜蜜公益路跑.
This is Tainan's Municipal Park. The European-style building is the Chi Mei Museum, which won't open until next year. 這是台南的都會公園. 歐式的建築物是明年才開館的奇美博物館.
Downtown Tainan. The picture above was taken in Our Lady Queen of China Cathedral 中華聖母主教座堂. This building dates back to 1964. Looks like a temple, doesn't it? 台南的市區. 上面的照片是台南的中華聖母主教座堂. 這座堂是1961年建立的. 很像中式的廟對不對?
More of downtown Tainan. This part of the city is not far from An Ping Fort. 這些也是台南市區. 這邊靠近安平古堡.
8. Far Glory Amusement Park 遠雄海洋公園 (December 2014)
If these pictures look familiar, it's because I posted pictures of Far Glory on my other blog 2 years ago. These pictures, however, are from a sixth grade field trip two weeks back. 如果你覺得好像看過這些照片的話, 那是因為我兩年前在我另外個博客發過遠雄的照片. 這些照片是兩個禮拜前六年級的戶外教學拍的.
Statues just inside the main entrance. 大門內的雕像.
Looking down on the main promenade. This is where the gift shops are located. 從上面往下看購物中心, 這是禮品店所在.
The flume ride, by far the most popular ride in the park. 遠雄裡最受歡迎的遊樂器材.
The Crystal Castle. This is where the acrobatic performances are held. 水晶堡. 雜耍特技表演的地方.
Entrance to the amusement park area. 遊樂園的入口.
The dolphin show. It was interesting two years ago, but this time it was boring. 海豚表演. 兩年前的比較有趣.
Octopus hanging out above a hamburger restaurant. 喜歡漢堡店的章魚.
The roller coaster. It's very small. 小小的雲霄飛車.
Riding around on a tigergiraffe. Or is it a giraffetiger? 在騎一隻虎頸鹿? 還是騎長頸虎?
In the audience for the sea lion show. After this we headed home! 海獅表演. 看完之後我們就回學校了.
9. 行憲紀念日 Constitution Day (December 2014)
Christmas is coming! But did you know that the same day, December 25, is also Taiwan's Constitution Day? So while you're opening presents and singing Christmas songs you can also reflect on the Taiwanese constitution, that glorious document from which the Republic of China derives its governing principles! 聖誕節快到了! 但你知道十二月二十五日也是臺灣的行憲紀念日? 所以當你唱聖誕歌跟打開禮物的同時, 也要好好珍惜中華民國的憲法.
The Chinese text below was taken from "Taiwanese Holiday Stories" 台灣節日故事, published by Windmill Press 風車圖書出版有限公司 in 2012. The Chinese text was written by 張青史, and the English text was written by me. 下面的中文文章是出自台灣節日故事這本書. 這本書是風車圖書出版有限公司2012的作品. 中文的部分是張青史寫的. 英文的部分是我從中文翻譯的.
10. What's Going On in Taiwan? 台灣最近的新聞 (December 十二月 2014)
What is going on in Taiwan? Well the biggest news is probably this month's elections. The Kuomintang, long Asia's richest political party, lost big in city and county elections, and this loss led to President Ma's resignation as the head of the party. 台灣最近發生了什麼事呢? 最重要的事應該是這個月的選舉. 在縣,市的選舉上, 亞洲最有錢的國民黨被打敗了. 也因為這件事, 馬總統請辭國民黨黨主席.
What else is going on? Chen Deming, Mainland China's top negotiator for Cross-Strait affairs, visited Taiwan recently. I saw him on the TV news last week, and several men in Tainan were accosting him in public. Officials from the Mainland Chinese government often receive a less-than-warm receptions in south Taiwan. 還有什麼消息呢? 大陸海協會的會長陳德銘來台灣. 我上禮拜在電視新聞上看到他在台南的消息. 很多台南人跑到他面前罵他. 大陸的行政人員在南台灣通常受到冷淡的歡迎.
In Taipei, the new mayor faces a lot of criticism over his proposal to construct a new rail line between Taipei and Yilan. This rail line would involve the construction of an extensive tunnel beneath an ecologically sensitive reservoir. Many environmentalists are incensed over the plan, which they regard as wasteful and unnecessary. 新的台北市長也面對很多的非難, 因為他推出新北宜直線鐵路計畫. 蓋這條鐵路需要在水庫下方挖一條很長的隧道. 很多環保人士覺得台鐵這麼做會破壞水庫的自然生態, 認為那條鐵路不是必要的並且浪費公帑.
Weatherwise it's pretty cold, though nothing compared to North American cold. I've been able to wear pants to work this month, and most of the time I have socks on. The sun comes out in the afternoons, but it's usually very dark and overcast. Too cold for swimming, but not bad for running or bicycling. 最近的天氣很冷, 當然和北美洲比不算冷. 我這個月已經穿長褲去上班了. 大部分時間也穿襪子. 下午的時候太陽會出來一下, 可是大部分的時間都是陰天. 這樣的天氣游泳太冷. 但跑步或是騎單車還不錯.
Outside of Taiwan, the Hong Kong protest ended peacefully this week, and I'm glad that no serious violence accompanied the end of the protest. It remains to be seen whether on not we've really heard the last of these protesters. Perhaps the protests will take another form? 國外方面, 香港的抗議活動和平的結束了. 還好沒有人受傷嚴重. 不知道那些抗議的民眾真的放棄, 還是他們會利用新的抗議方式?
And that's about it. There are of course a thousand other stories of movie star infidelity, spectacular car crashes, food scares, and bad behavior from government officials, but nothing earth-shattering. Life goes on in Taiwan, much as in other places. 最近的新聞差不多這樣. 當然還有一千多個名星外遇, 驚人的車禍, 食品恐慌, 跟政府機關行政人員做壞事的消息可以講. 可是這種事情到處都有. 台灣人民還是要跟其他國家人民一樣向前走.
And how about you? How are things where you live? 那你呢? 你住的那個地方還好嗎?
These pictures were taken during the second day of the 2014 Beauty of Taitung Triathlon. It was a bit windy, but the weather was good. 這些照片是2014年台東之美鐵人三項的第二天. 那一天天氣不錯, 只是風比較大.
This is where the swimming section starts, at the Forest Park's Flowing Water Lake. The lake is about 1 kilometer from end to end, and maybe 200 meters across. I believe they swam 750 meters on that day. 游泳的部分是在台東森林公園裡的活水湖舉行. 這個湖的長度差不多一公里. 寬度差不多200公尺. 他們那一天好像游750公尺.
Lifeguards preparing for the race. This picture was taken from the same spot, facing the opposite direction. 救護人員正在準備當中, 這是與上一張同一個地點拍的,只是面對的方向不同.
The first wave getting ready. This is usually the most dangerous part of any triathlon. There are a lot of people in the water, and many of them are very nervous about swimming. 第一波的選手正在準備. 這個部分通常是鐵人三項賽中最危險的. 因為有很多選手同時在水中, 而且其中還有很多選手怕水.
After the first wave left, the lifeguards helped these two women back to the shore. It is not uncommon to see people having panic attacks in the water. 第一波離開湖岸以後, 救護人員幫這兩個女選手回到岸邊. 這樣的情景很常見, 好多人下水以後變得很驚慌.
The leaders of the first wave, returning. 第一波中最快的選手游回終點.
Start of the bike section, just up from the Flowing Lake. The green carpet on the left is the route from the lake to the transition area. 這是單車部分的起點. 就在活水湖旁邊. 左邊那個綠色的地毯是游泳的終點到單車區的步道.
The beginning of the bike section. During this day the bike section was only 20 KM, extending from the Forest Park to Shan Yuan Beach and back. 單車比賽的起點. 那一天他們騎程的距離是20公里. 從森林公園到杉原海灘後再回來.
Near the start of the 5 kilometer run. The Flowing Lake is on the right. Participants ran around the lake, through the more forested sections of the Forest Park, and through another gate just behind where the swimming section started. 這是5公里路跑的起點附近. 活水湖在右邊. 選手們繞著湖跑, 之後跑進去公園裡穿過樹林, 再回到游泳比賽起點的附近的終點.
2. Three Fairies Bridge 三仙台 (November 2014)
These pictures were taken at Taitung's most famous tourist attraction, the Three Fairies Bridge. This bridge/scenic area is at the north end of Taitung County, in Cheng Gong Municipality. 這些照片是台東縣最有名的觀光景點---三仙台. 三仙台位於台東縣北部的成功鎮.
I've had arguments with people about how to translate 三仙台 into English. Some people use "San Shian Tai" or "Sansiantai." Other people prefer "Three Fairies Bridge," or "Three Immortals Bridge." It all depends on how you translate 仙. 我跟很多人討論過怎麼翻譯三仙台這個名稱. 有的人認為是"San Shian Tai"或是"Sansiantai," 還有人認為是"Three Fairies Bridge"或是"Three Immortals Bridge." 這取決於"仙"這個字的認定.
This is the main path leading to the bridge. The wind was very strong that day. 這是往橋的最大的步道. 那一天風很大.
Local flora. The fruit of these plants, called lin tou in Chinese, can be used to make juice. This juice is mixed with sugar cane, and it is very good on a hot day. 那邊的植物. 靠近岩石的植物會長出水果. 這種水果叫林投果. 林投果汁可以喝 , 很適合炎熱的天氣.
This is just a picture of rocks. Really. Just rocks. 這就只是石頭. 沒錯. 石頭.
You might have thought it was a picture of trees. But no. It's just rocks. 你可能想這是張有樹的照片. 但不是. 只是石頭.
Closer to the bridge. The island on the other side is a favorite haunt of local fishermen. 比較靠近橋的部分. 附近的居民很喜歡在另一邊的小島釣魚.
View of the coast. The town on the other side is also called San Shian Tai. It's a sleepy little place. 海邊的風景. 另外一邊的村子也叫三仙台. 很鄉下的地方.
View from the bridge, also looking back towards the coastline. 橋上的風景. 往海岸的方向.
3. A Wedding in Tai Ma Li 太麻里的婚禮 (November 2014)
We were half an hour late, and trying to find a restaurant in Tai Ma Li at 7 PM. There aren't a lot of street lights in Tai Ma Li, and I was wondering if we hadn't already passed by our destination. We knew that the restaurant was in a small village near the highway, but in Tai Ma Li there are a lot of small villages near the highway, each designated by signs that are easy to miss at night. 我們已經遲到半個小時. 在太麻里晚上七點的時候找一家餐廳. 太麻里的路燈不多. 我開始猜想是否已經錯過那家餐廳. 我們只知道那家餐廳在公路旁邊的小村子, 可是太麻里公路旁邊的小村子很多. 雖然每個村子在路邊都有名牌, 可是天黑的時候找牌子是件很難的事情.
Eventually we found the restaurant, which I can now tell you is located near Da Shu (Big Tree), where Highway 9 starts to climb up a big hill. We parked the car in front of a betel nut stand, and I followed my wife and daughters into the restaurant. 我們終於找到那家餐廳. 現在我可以告訴你它在一棵大樹附近, 靠近台9線開始走上坡的地方. 我們把車停在一個檳榔攤旁邊後, 我和我太太及兩個女兒一起走進去餐廳.
Inside, in a back yard behind the restaurant, an American friend was standing next to his pregnant wife. Standing next to them was a man dressed in Paiwan clothing, and next to this man was another woman, translating everything he said into English. There were about 30 people there. 餐廳後面有個院子. 我的美國朋友跟他懷孕的新娘一起站著. 他們旁邊有一位穿著排灣族服飾的先生, 他的旁邊還有一位小姐把他說的話翻譯成英文. 大概有三十個人左右參加婚禮.
The man in Paiwan clothing said a few ceremonial words, and then husband and wife took a drink from a long wooden cup for two people. Then he asked the groom's best man to come down, and share a drink with the bridesmaid. The man in Paiwan clothing explained the goings-on as various people took drinks from the two-person cup, and after a few minutes we were all encouraged to eat and drink. 穿排灣族服飾的人說一些祝詞, 然後新郎跟新娘一起用木條上的木杯喝了一杯酒. 之後他請新郎最好的朋友跟新娘最好的朋友去前面一起喝酒. 他們喝酒的時候那位穿排灣族服飾的人也介紹這婚禮的儀式意義. 儀式結束就是用餐時間了.
Which we did. The food was very good, and I ate more of it than I should have. The stars were very bright overhead, and everyone was in a good mood. We ate, and ate, and talked, and ate, and when we weren't eating or talking we took copious sips of beer. I talked with the groom for a bit about the child he was expecting. Others at the table were talking about surfing, or music, or life on the east coast of Taiwan. All in all, it was a very pleasant evening. 我們就不客氣了. 餐廳的食物很好吃, 我吃得太撐了. 天空上的小星星很亮, 大家都很開心. 我們吃很多, 講很多, 又喝很多. 我跟新郎談到他期待著的寶寶, 其他同桌的人談衝浪, 音樂, 或是台灣東部的生活方式. 是個很美好的晚上.
I've been to a lot of weddings in Taiwan, but that was the most relaxed. And what better way to start a long-term partnership, than with a simple ceremony beneath the stars? Weddings should be joyful occasions, and it's a shame that they are often bogged down with ceremony, and with expense, and with expectations. 我在台灣去過很多婚禮, 只有這個是最輕鬆的. 我覺得這種在夜空下的簡單婚禮是兩個人要一輩子生活在一起的好起點. 婚禮應該是一件快快樂樂的事情, 可惜它們常常被傳統, 金錢, 和個人意見變嚴肅了.
After a few hours we packed the kids back in the car and headed home. As we did so, I reflected on my own wedding, 14 years ago. Life moves so fast sometimes, and before you know it you are a husband, a wife, a father, or a mother, remembering a wedding that happened - it seems - only yesterday. 幾個小時以後, 我們帶孩子上車回家. 我們離開的時候, 我想到自己十四年前的婚禮. 有時候人的一生過得好快, 在你察覺前已經由一個單身貴族成為別人的先生, 太太, 爸爸或媽媽, 想到自己的婚禮, 感覺有如昨日.
4. Election Time 選舉時間 (November 2014)
Elections are on the way, and candidates all over Taiwan are trying to make their presence felt. We're still a ways away from Presidential elections, but all of the other offices are up for grabs. There are billboards along every highway, and roads are often blocked by local political rallies. 選舉快到了, 所有的候選人都努力地讓民眾感受到他們的存在. 離總統大選還有很長一段時間, 而各個縣市政府各層級的候選人全都蓄勢待發. 公路上沿途可見候選人的廣告牌, 馬路也常因競選集會而不通.
In Taitung there are two guys up for the office of county magistrate. One of these is the current magistrate, Huang Jiang-Ting (Justin Huang) 黃健庭, and the other is Liou Jhao-hao 劉櫂豪. Huang Jian-Ting is featured on billboards that run the length of Taitung County, and he is hard at work campaigning as I write this. His competitor, Liu Zhao-hao, is neither as popular or as conspicuous. He has a small office in front of Taitung's Triangle Park, very few billboards, and the odds of him winning this election are extremely low. 競選台東縣長的候選人有二位. 其中一位是現任的縣長黃建庭, 另外一位是劉櫂豪. 臺東縣到處都有黃建庭的廣告牌. 他最近也很努力地參加競選. 他的對手劉櫂豪的人氣沒那麼好, 也沒有那麼多人認識他. 他在三角公園對面有個辦公室. 他的廣告牌不多, 他的被選上的可能性不大.
Below the office of county magistrate, several other offices are up for grabs. These include the mayorship 鄉鎮市長 of Taitung City, Cheng Gong Municipality, Guanshan Municipality, Beinan Township, Lu Ye Township, Chr Shang Township, and Dong He Township. The person running for the mayorship of Dong He Township is running unopposed. 除了縣長選舉, 還有其他的選舉. 這些包含台東市長, 成功鎮長, 關山鎮長, 卑南鄉長, 鹿野鄉長, 池上鄉長, 還有東河鄉長的選舉. 東河鄉的候選人只有一個人.
In addition, there are A LOT of people running for the office of "village chief" 村里長. The offices up for grabs are not only in rural areas, and many of these "villages" are actually part of Taitung City. There are 289 candidates for village chief, many running unopposed, with at most seven candidates running for any one office. 還有很多人要當村里長. 村里長這個職位不只在鄉下的地方有. 很多"鄉村"是在台東市裡面. 村里長有289候選人. 很多村里長只要出來選就自動當選, 因為只有一個候選人. 一個村里長的職位最多能有七個候選人.
Then there are the city and county council members 縣市議員. Membership in the council is divided into 15 districts, a number which roughly corresponds to the number of townships and municipalities in the county. The most popular city council position is the first district, with 17 candidates, followed by the seventh district, with 7 candidates. All of the other positions have between one and four candidates. 再來有縣市議員的選舉. 議會中的議員分為15區, 這些區的區分跟台東鄉鎮市有關係. 最熱門的地區是第1區, 有17個候選人. 第二名是第7區, 有7個候選人. 其他地區則有1到4個候選人.
Lastly there are the city, township, and municipality-level representatives 鄉鎮市民代表. Of these offices there are between one and five depending on the size of the city, township, or municipality. There are no more than nine candidates for any one position, with the exception of the Orchid Island Township representative, which has 20 candidates. 最後有鄉鎮市民代表. 每個鄉鎮市有一到五個代表. 代表的人數取決於鄉鎮市的大小. 每個代表的候選人數最多是9個, 但是蘭嶼除外, 他們有20個候選人.
That, all in all, is an overview of the elections taking place. Besides the offices, of course, there are also the party affiliations of the candidates. Suffice to say that Huang Jian-Ting is a member of the KMT, is extremely popular, and many other candidates would see membership in the KMT as advantageous to their future political careers. The KMT has always been strong in Taitung County, and President Ma Ying-jeou's 馬英九 unpopularity has done little to change that. 以上是這次台東縣的選舉的大概. 除了職位之外, 當然還有每一個候選人的黨籍. 我只想說很受歡迎的黃健庭是國民黨的. 還有很多候選人覺得選舉成功與否在於是否是國民黨員. 國民黨在台東很強, 馬英九總統受不受歡迎並不影響台東的國民黨.
I have also skipped over two very important things in this election. These two things are the issues under discussion, and the responsibilities of each official. What, after all, does a county magistrate really do? And how does Huang Jian-ting's position on issue X differ from that of Liu Zhao-hao? While a discussion of such things would be meaningful, it would take me ages to write and you ages to read through. For the sake of simplicity, I'll try to tackle these two aspects of local elections at another time. 我也沒有討論到兩件重要的事情. 這兩件事情就是每個候選人的政見跟政治責任. 比方說縣長到底在做什麼? 黃建庭跟劉櫂豪的政見哪裡不一樣? 我覺得討論這種事情很有趣, 可是寫這種文章要很久, 你也要讀很久. 這次簡單一點, 我改天再討論這兩件事情.
As a foreign resident, I am not allowed to vote in local elections, but I find the process very interesting, and getting to know how the local government works has been an interesting and educational experience for me. Were I able to vote, I'd be voting more on environmental issues, and less on economic concerns. Taitung has undergone a lot of development recently, and I cannot say that all of it is good. 從美國來的我沒有投票權, 可是我覺得學習台灣的政府跟選舉方法很有趣. 如果我可以投票的話, 我投票時會比較關心環保議題而不是經濟. 最近台東發展快速, 可是這種發展不一定是公平的.
5. Running on Fumes 臭氣路跑 (November 2014)
Last weekend I took part in the Taiwan Sugar Corporation's "Sweet Road Run." This road run started and ended at the Jianshanpi Jiangnan Resort in Tainan County, about an hour north of Tainan City. It took me about two hours to finish the half marathon. 上個周末我參加了甜蜜台糖公益路跑. 路跑比賽的起點跟終點都在台南縣尖山埤江南渡假村. 從台南市區開車往北走到那裡差不多一個小時. 我花了兩個小時左右跑完半馬拉松.
The Jianshanpi Jiangnan Resort is near the Jianshanpi Reservoir. From the "Formosa Freeway" (number 3), you take the Liou Ying 柳營 exit, and from there the signs lead to the resort. There is a small farming town just outside the entrance, which is on the other side of a forested hill. 尖山埤江南渡假村在尖山埤水庫附近. 在福爾摩沙高速公路柳營出口處有指示牌指往度假村的方向. 度假村的大門前有一個小農村. 農村後面的山坡就是度假村的所在地.
The race started at 7 AM, but due to the calamitous parking situation I was late in starting the race. The race organizers had designated two parking areas on either side of the freeway, but the roads around there are small, and confusion reigned. The people attempting to direct traffic had no idea what they were doing, and all we could do was find a relatively convenient parking space, and follow the crowds to our destination. 路跑從早上7點開始, 可是停車的狀況混亂到我沒辦法準時開跑. 主辦單位在高速公路出口的兩邊都有停車場, 可是那附近的路很小, 到處都塞車. 指揮交通的工作人員也沒掌握好情況. 我們只能隨便找一個停車位, 然後跟著人群走到路跑的起點.
The running course described a lazy circle around the local tourist sites. We passed through the Du Yuan 德元 Dutch Village, and from there out into farmland. We ran up a long straight road past factories, and from there into a series of towns before following a long boulevard back towards the resort. I managed to run the first 16 km, but after that I had to walk/run to the finish. 路跑的路線繞經當地觀光景點一圈. 我們跑進去德元度假村, 之後跑經大片農地. 也跑經過很多工廠, 再跑進去一些農村, 最後跑了一條很長的路到終點. 我剛開始跑了16公里, 可是後面的5公里我只能一邊跑一邊走.
As I ran or walked, the smell of pigs wafted my way from every direction. Pig farming is big business in that part of Taiwan, and the smell was not pleasant. There were also strange odors emanating from the factories we passed, and also exhaust from trucks passing by us on narrow roads. It was definitely the worst smelling road race I've ever attended, and perhaps also the worst organized. 我一邊跑一邊走的時候, 到處都是豬的味道. 在這個地區很多人養豬, 所以味道超重. 還有其它的味道從工廠冒出來. 也有經過我們的卡車的廢氣. 這個路跑比賽是我參加過的路跑比賽中最臭的. 也可能是最亂的.
Just the same, I was happy to cross the finish line, and happy to get a bottle of water. I was tired, I was hot, and I was ready to stop running. The "Sweet Run" might not have been the best running experience I've ever had, but if nothing else it was a story to tell. The Sweet Run? Not so sweet after all. 不管臭和亂, 我還是很高興跑到終點, 也很開心拿到一瓶水喝. 我很熱也很累, 也準備好休息了. 雖然這一次的路跑比賽不是我最好的運動比賽經驗, 可是跑完之後就有故事可以說了. 甜蜜路跑? 沒有那麼甜蜜.
6. East Coast National Scenic Area Visitor's Center and the Amei Tribe Cultural Center 東部海岸國家風景管理處跟阿美族民俗中心 (November 2014)
I took these pictures last month during a school field trip. The East Coast National Scenic Area and the Amei Tribe's Cultural Center are right next to each other. It's a nice place to visit. 這是上個月戶外教學時拍的照片. 東部海岸國家風景管理處就在阿美族民俗中心旁邊. 這裡的風景很棒.
7. Historic Tainan 充滿歷史感的台南 3 (December 2014)
Pictures taken in Tainan County three weeks ago. I was on my way to the "Sweet Run" near the Jiang Nan resort. 這些照片是在台南拍的. 我那時候去參加台糖的甜蜜公益路跑.
This is Tainan's Municipal Park. The European-style building is the Chi Mei Museum, which won't open until next year. 這是台南的都會公園. 歐式的建築物是明年才開館的奇美博物館.
Downtown Tainan. The picture above was taken in Our Lady Queen of China Cathedral 中華聖母主教座堂. This building dates back to 1964. Looks like a temple, doesn't it? 台南的市區. 上面的照片是台南的中華聖母主教座堂. 這座堂是1961年建立的. 很像中式的廟對不對?
More of downtown Tainan. This part of the city is not far from An Ping Fort. 這些也是台南市區. 這邊靠近安平古堡.
8. Far Glory Amusement Park 遠雄海洋公園 (December 2014)
If these pictures look familiar, it's because I posted pictures of Far Glory on my other blog 2 years ago. These pictures, however, are from a sixth grade field trip two weeks back. 如果你覺得好像看過這些照片的話, 那是因為我兩年前在我另外個博客發過遠雄的照片. 這些照片是兩個禮拜前六年級的戶外教學拍的.
Statues just inside the main entrance. 大門內的雕像.
Looking down on the main promenade. This is where the gift shops are located. 從上面往下看購物中心, 這是禮品店所在.
The flume ride, by far the most popular ride in the park. 遠雄裡最受歡迎的遊樂器材.
The Crystal Castle. This is where the acrobatic performances are held. 水晶堡. 雜耍特技表演的地方.
Entrance to the amusement park area. 遊樂園的入口.
The dolphin show. It was interesting two years ago, but this time it was boring. 海豚表演. 兩年前的比較有趣.
Octopus hanging out above a hamburger restaurant. 喜歡漢堡店的章魚.
The roller coaster. It's very small. 小小的雲霄飛車.
Riding around on a tigergiraffe. Or is it a giraffetiger? 在騎一隻虎頸鹿? 還是騎長頸虎?
In the audience for the sea lion show. After this we headed home! 海獅表演. 看完之後我們就回學校了.
9. 行憲紀念日 Constitution Day (December 2014)
Christmas is coming! But did you know that the same day, December 25, is also Taiwan's Constitution Day? So while you're opening presents and singing Christmas songs you can also reflect on the Taiwanese constitution, that glorious document from which the Republic of China derives its governing principles! 聖誕節快到了! 但你知道十二月二十五日也是臺灣的行憲紀念日? 所以當你唱聖誕歌跟打開禮物的同時, 也要好好珍惜中華民國的憲法.
The Chinese text below was taken from "Taiwanese Holiday Stories" 台灣節日故事, published by Windmill Press 風車圖書出版有限公司 in 2012. The Chinese text was written by 張青史, and the English text was written by me. 下面的中文文章是出自台灣節日故事這本書. 這本書是風車圖書出版有限公司2012的作品. 中文的部分是張青史寫的. 英文的部分是我從中文翻譯的.
行憲紀念日 Constitution Day
(國歷十二月二十五日)
(National Calendar, December 25)**
(National Calendar, December 25)**
12月25日, 是我國的行憲紀念日. 實施憲政是一個國家的大事, 所以紀念行憲具有非常特別的意義. December 25 is our country's Constitution Memorial Holiday. The implementation of a constitution is important for any country, so it is especially important to commemorate this event.
國父孫中山先生率領革命志是推翻滿清, 建立中華民國以後, 實施民主憲政一直是全國引頸盼望的目標. 然而, 建國之初, 國家的政局一直動盪不安, 先有遠世凱竊位稱帝, 後有軍閥擁兵割據, 接著是北伐, 對日抗戰和國共內戰, 使得憲政的推行歷經許多波折, 遲遲無法實現. Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Father of our Country, led the rebellion to overthrow the Ching Dynasty. After he established the Republic of China, the implementation of a constitutional democracy was viewed as our national goal. However, after its foundation the country was thrown into political turmoil, firstly by Yuan Shi-kai's attempt to crown himself emperor, and then by the division of the country between warlords and the northern expedition to restore order. Lastly there was the war of resistance against Japan, all of which amounted to a number of difficulties which made implementation of a constitution impossible.
憲法制定過程也是一波三折, 先有民國元年的 "臨時政府組織大綱", "臨時約法". 到民國20年, 國民政府頒布 "順政時期約法", 並從民國21年底開始研擬憲法草安; 民國25年通過並公布 "五五憲草". 後來卻因為全面對日抗戰, 遲遲無法召開會議, 制定憲法. The making of the constitution faced many obstacles. In its first year the new Republic issued a "Provisional Government Memorandum," and a "Provisional Constitution." In 1931 the Republic hosted a "Political Assembly," and from 1932 the Republic began drafting the Constitution. In 1936 the Republic announced the passage of the "55 Draft Constitution," though after this point the country faced the war against Japan, and there was no way to hold meetings that would formalize the Constitution.
抗戰勝利後, 政府終於在民國35年召開制憲國民大會. 同年12月25日通過 "中華民國憲法", 並於民國36年12月25日開始施行. After victory over Japan was achieved, in 1946 the government finally convened a meeting to formalize the Constitution. During the same year, on December 25, the Constitution of the Republic of China was formalized, though it wasn't implemented until December 25 of the following year.
後來發生國共內戰, 國民黨政府退守台灣. 有感於實施憲政的重要意義, 所以民國52年, 行政院正式決定以每年的12月25日為行憲紀念日. Civil war occurred after this point, and the Kuomintang government retreated to Taiwan. As a means of signifying the importance of the Constitution's implementation, in 1963 the Executive Yuan formally decided that December 25 of every year would be Constitution Day.
憲法是一個國家的根本大法, "中華民國憲法" 的制定與施行歷經許多波折, 所以我們更應該好好珍惜. The fundamental laws of every country come from its Constitution. The "Republic of China's Constitution" has been formalized and implemented despite many obstacles, and we should treasure it for this reason.
Notes::
*I want to translate 行憲紀念日 as "Constitutional Memorial Holiday," but in English this sounds vague. To be sure, translating 紀念日 as "memorial holiday" is more correct, but in English putting "constitution" before "memorial holiday" seems ungrammatical, and putting "constitutional" before "memorial holiday" seems ambiguous.
**The national calendar follows the solar calendar, but year one is 1911, when the Republic of China was founded in Canton Province, Mainland China. Years have been adjusted accordingly.
憲法制定過程也是一波三折, 先有民國元年的 "臨時政府組織大綱", "臨時約法". 到民國20年, 國民政府頒布 "順政時期約法", 並從民國21年底開始研擬憲法草安; 民國25年通過並公布 "五五憲草". 後來卻因為全面對日抗戰, 遲遲無法召開會議, 制定憲法. The making of the constitution faced many obstacles. In its first year the new Republic issued a "Provisional Government Memorandum," and a "Provisional Constitution." In 1931 the Republic hosted a "Political Assembly," and from 1932 the Republic began drafting the Constitution. In 1936 the Republic announced the passage of the "55 Draft Constitution," though after this point the country faced the war against Japan, and there was no way to hold meetings that would formalize the Constitution.
抗戰勝利後, 政府終於在民國35年召開制憲國民大會. 同年12月25日通過 "中華民國憲法", 並於民國36年12月25日開始施行. After victory over Japan was achieved, in 1946 the government finally convened a meeting to formalize the Constitution. During the same year, on December 25, the Constitution of the Republic of China was formalized, though it wasn't implemented until December 25 of the following year.
後來發生國共內戰, 國民黨政府退守台灣. 有感於實施憲政的重要意義, 所以民國52年, 行政院正式決定以每年的12月25日為行憲紀念日. Civil war occurred after this point, and the Kuomintang government retreated to Taiwan. As a means of signifying the importance of the Constitution's implementation, in 1963 the Executive Yuan formally decided that December 25 of every year would be Constitution Day.
憲法是一個國家的根本大法, "中華民國憲法" 的制定與施行歷經許多波折, 所以我們更應該好好珍惜. The fundamental laws of every country come from its Constitution. The "Republic of China's Constitution" has been formalized and implemented despite many obstacles, and we should treasure it for this reason.
Notes::
*I want to translate 行憲紀念日 as "Constitutional Memorial Holiday," but in English this sounds vague. To be sure, translating 紀念日 as "memorial holiday" is more correct, but in English putting "constitution" before "memorial holiday" seems ungrammatical, and putting "constitutional" before "memorial holiday" seems ambiguous.
**The national calendar follows the solar calendar, but year one is 1911, when the Republic of China was founded in Canton Province, Mainland China. Years have been adjusted accordingly.
10. What's Going On in Taiwan? 台灣最近的新聞 (December 十二月 2014)
What is going on in Taiwan? Well the biggest news is probably this month's elections. The Kuomintang, long Asia's richest political party, lost big in city and county elections, and this loss led to President Ma's resignation as the head of the party. 台灣最近發生了什麼事呢? 最重要的事應該是這個月的選舉. 在縣,市的選舉上, 亞洲最有錢的國民黨被打敗了. 也因為這件事, 馬總統請辭國民黨黨主席.
What else is going on? Chen Deming, Mainland China's top negotiator for Cross-Strait affairs, visited Taiwan recently. I saw him on the TV news last week, and several men in Tainan were accosting him in public. Officials from the Mainland Chinese government often receive a less-than-warm receptions in south Taiwan. 還有什麼消息呢? 大陸海協會的會長陳德銘來台灣. 我上禮拜在電視新聞上看到他在台南的消息. 很多台南人跑到他面前罵他. 大陸的行政人員在南台灣通常受到冷淡的歡迎.
In Taipei, the new mayor faces a lot of criticism over his proposal to construct a new rail line between Taipei and Yilan. This rail line would involve the construction of an extensive tunnel beneath an ecologically sensitive reservoir. Many environmentalists are incensed over the plan, which they regard as wasteful and unnecessary. 新的台北市長也面對很多的非難, 因為他推出新北宜直線鐵路計畫. 蓋這條鐵路需要在水庫下方挖一條很長的隧道. 很多環保人士覺得台鐵這麼做會破壞水庫的自然生態, 認為那條鐵路不是必要的並且浪費公帑.
Weatherwise it's pretty cold, though nothing compared to North American cold. I've been able to wear pants to work this month, and most of the time I have socks on. The sun comes out in the afternoons, but it's usually very dark and overcast. Too cold for swimming, but not bad for running or bicycling. 最近的天氣很冷, 當然和北美洲比不算冷. 我這個月已經穿長褲去上班了. 大部分時間也穿襪子. 下午的時候太陽會出來一下, 可是大部分的時間都是陰天. 這樣的天氣游泳太冷. 但跑步或是騎單車還不錯.
Outside of Taiwan, the Hong Kong protest ended peacefully this week, and I'm glad that no serious violence accompanied the end of the protest. It remains to be seen whether on not we've really heard the last of these protesters. Perhaps the protests will take another form? 國外方面, 香港的抗議活動和平的結束了. 還好沒有人受傷嚴重. 不知道那些抗議的民眾真的放棄, 還是他們會利用新的抗議方式?
And that's about it. There are of course a thousand other stories of movie star infidelity, spectacular car crashes, food scares, and bad behavior from government officials, but nothing earth-shattering. Life goes on in Taiwan, much as in other places. 最近的新聞差不多這樣. 當然還有一千多個名星外遇, 驚人的車禍, 食品恐慌, 跟政府機關行政人員做壞事的消息可以講. 可是這種事情到處都有. 台灣人民還是要跟其他國家人民一樣向前走.
And how about you? How are things where you live? 那你呢? 你住的那個地方還好嗎?
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