June - October 2017

 1. What's Going on with the Taitung County Government 台東縣政府最近動向 2 (June 2017)

What follows below are what I thought were the most important and/or most interesting bits of news from various county government websites.  下列的內容都是我在縣府的各個單位網站上找到的.  是我認為最有趣或是最重要的.

Almost all of the sites below have an "English" link at the top of the page, but this link just directs you to the County's tourism portal.  This tourism portal is listed below as "The Taitung County Tourism Department."  Only the Cultural Affairs Department has its own English website.  幾乎下列的網站在網頁的最上方都有英文版的連結, 只是這些連結都會將你帶去觀光旅遊處的網站.  只有文化處有它自己的英文網站.

I also scanned through the news for any interesting news items relevant to the departments listed below.  There isn't a lot of Taitung-related news in the best of times, but I did my best to find relevant articles. 我也看了最近的新聞, 希望找到與縣政府相關的有趣的報導.  我盡力了, 只是關於台東的新聞不多.

Oh, and one more thing!  I'll be going back to Seattle for two months on June 18, so this will be the last entry until September.*  還有一件事要跟你們說.  我六月十八日要回西雅圖兩個多月, 所以這篇文章是這學期的最後一篇.  九月再見!

1. The Taitung County Government International Development and Planning Department 台東縣政府國際發展及計畫處

Not entirely sure what this has to do with the International Development and Planning Department (seems like it would have more to do with the Agriculture Department), but organic roselle flowers from Taitung are now being exported to Japan.  我不是很清楚這件事跟國際發展處有甚麼關係 (好像跟農業處比較有關), 可是台東的有機洛神花開始外銷到日本.

The County Government continues to develop its "Smart City Project."  As part of this effort, they gave a presentation on their "TTPush" APP.  縣政府繼續發展 "智慧城市."  他們最近推出政府的APP平台"TTPush."**

2. The Taitung County Indigenous Peoples Website 台東縣原住民族行政處

As in other parts of Taiwan with a higher number of aboriginal people, this department has a plan for getting younger people to return to their villages.  This is of course easier said than done.  跟其他原住民人口較多的地方一樣, 台東縣原住民族行政處有青年人返鄉的計畫.  這種計畫當然是說的簡單但很難做到的事情.

The County Government is working with farmers in southern Taitung County to develop the market for millet.  縣政府在幫南迴地區的小鄉村發展小米廣場.

3. The Taitung County Personnel Department 台東縣政府人事處

Their website hasn't been updated in so long it's ridiculous.  哇!  他們那一處的網頁很久沒有新的消息!

4. The Taitung County Cultural Affairs Department 台東縣政府文化處

There's an exhibition featuring the works of ten Hong Kong artists on the second floor of Taitung's Arts Center.  This exhibition ends June 20.  台東藝文中心二樓舉辦香港十人展.  這個展覽是六月二十日結束.

There will be a concert at the Taitung Arts Center this Sunday, June 11.  這個六月十一日禮拜天台東藝文中心大廳舉辦音樂會.

5. The Taitung County Land Administration Department 台東縣政府地政處

They held a meeting about the rezoning of land for recreational purposes.  I'm sure this meeting was fascinating.  他們最近成立 "台東縣台東市康樂自辦市地重劃區重劃畫會."  這個會議一定很有趣!  (開玩笑的)

6. The Taitung County Civil Affairs Department 台東縣政府民政處

Another census was taken.  220,191 people presently reside in Taitung County.  113,818 of these people have penises, and 106,373 don't.  78,849 of these people are members of aboriginal tribes.  有新的人口普查結果: 現在人口數按性別及原住民身分區別.  台東縣居民人數現在是220, 191人.  113, 818人是男性, 106, 373是女性.  原住民的人口則是78849人.

Augustin, a Taitung resident originally from Switzerland, wants to become a Taiwanese citizen.  He originally came here as a missionary, and has been living in the county for 54 years.  有一位從瑞士來的人士Augustin, 他54年前來台的原因是傳教, 他在台54年並想更改國籍成為中華民國國民.

7. The Taitung County Government Education Department 台東縣政府教育處

The final round of the County English competition was held last Wednesday.  I'm sure the English teachers of Taitung are all glad it's over.  上禮拜三是台東縣的英語文競賽決賽.  我想台東所有的英語教師應該很高興.

8. The Taitung County Agriculture Department 台東縣政府農業處

Representatives from the Taiwan International Agricultural Development Company Ltd. arrived in Taitung to discuss the planting of pineapples and sugar apples.  There was some disagreement between the representatives of this company and officials from the Taitung County Government.  台灣國際農業開發股份有限公司來台東介紹種植鳳梨及釋迦的計畫.  縣議會人員跟台農發有些意見不同的地方.

A Chinese Pangolin was found in an alley near Kai Feng Street in Taitung City.  The Animal Protection branch of the Agriculture Department was notified, and the animal was captured and taken to a Wildlife Receiving Center in Pingtung.  有人發現一隻穿山甲在台東市開封街的一條巷弄.  畜產保育科得到消息之後, 就將穿山甲捕獲並送到屏東縣的野生動物收容中心.

Farmers around Da Ren Township experienced crop losses after the recent heavy rains.  下大雨之後達仁鄉的農民可能減產逾五成.

9. The Taitung County Tourism Department 台東縣政府觀光旅遊處

Worried about competition from other hot air balloon festivals, in other parts of Taiwan, the Tourism Department is encouraging people to "avoid the traffic," and visit Taitung's hot air balloon festival instead.  因為中北部的熱氣球活動越來越受歡迎, 觀光旅遊處呼籲旅客: "避開塞車的好方法就是來台東參加台東的熱氣球季."

10. The Public Health Bureau, Taitung County 臺東縣衛生局

The Public Health Bureau cautions residents about the danger of Japanese encephalitis, which is spread by mosquitoes.  Children older than 15 months should be vaccinated against this type of encephalitis.  衛生局提醒居民注意經由蚊蟲傳染的日本腦炎.  滿15個月的幼兒應按時接種疫苗.

Foot and mouth disease is very popular in Taitung this year.  10 classes have been suspended for this reason.  因為腸病毒進入流行期, 台東已經有十個班停課.

A man working on a fishing boat died of heat stroke on Orchid Island.  He was from Indonesia.  蘭嶼有從印尼來的漁工因為氣溫高而熱死了.

11. The Taitung County Fire Department 臺東縣消防局

Two people were reported to be "in trouble" near the Lu Ye River during recent flooding, but the fire department couldn't find anyone.  消防局在這一次的豪雨中獲報有二個人受困鹿野溪,  只是消防局後來找不到受困人.

Local firemen used picture books to teach kids in rural areas about safety.  消防局用繪本教徧鄉學童怎麼防火防災.

12. The Taitung County Environmental Protection Bureau 台東縣環境保護局

Taitung's EPA encourages you to remove weeds from around your house to diminish the numbers of mosquitoes, snakes, and rodents in the area.  台東環保局提醒你要除家附近的雜草.  這樣蚊蟲蛇鼠的數量會變少.

After residents voiced concerns, the local EPA will conduct a survey on the use of fill pellets in local construction sites.  These pellets are recycled from local garbage.  台東民眾擔心 "再生粒料" 的使用, 所以台東環保局會著手研究 "再生粒料"安全性的問題.  "再生粒料" 是從地區垃圾加工後的產物.

Someone did a (very detailed) survey of fill-related pollutants found in the land near the Tai Ping River.  You can see the results here.  台東市汙水廠用地去化太平溪土石整地工程(再生粒料)檢測報告.

2. The Airport MRT (August 2017)

Have you been on the Airport MRT?  My first ride was about three months ago, on my way back to the States.

Before anyone gets confused, I should say that the Airport MRT is NOT part of the same system as the Taipei MRT.  In other words, it's run by a different company.  The purpose of the Taipei MRT is to shuttle people around New Taipei City, whereas the purpose of the Airport MRT is to shuttle people between the Taipei Train Station and Taoyuan International Airport.  Its official name the Taoyuan Metro, even though most signs (and most people) refer to it as the Airport MRT.

Their English website is linked here.  There's also a Chinese version, which has a few more bells and whistles.

The Airport MRT can be difficult to find, but if you follow the signs saying "Airport MRT" in either the Taipei Main Station or the Taoyuan Airport you'll get there eventually.  The Airport MRT Station near the Taipei Main Station can be accessed from the basement, down a long hallway that leads to an escalator.  The Airport MRT Station in the Taoyuan Airport is located below the Arrivals area, down an escalator near a money-changing booth.  Again, just follow the signs and you'll get there eventually.

The cost of a ticket between the airport and Taipei Main Station is 160 NT. You can buy a ticket/plastic token for the Airport MRT at the information window, or at one of the machines near the station entrance. You can also use a Taipei MRT "Yoyo card," or most major credit cards.  Just scan your card at the gate.

The Airport MRT also sells tickets for 30, 60, and 90 day periods.  In addition there's a combined Airport MRT/Taipei MRT ticket that's valid for 48 and 72 hour intervals.  The 48 hour pass is 520 NT.

The one thing to be careful of is which Airport MRT you are taking.  Two trains run along the same track - the regular and the express.  The express train is a lot faster, with only two or three stops between the airport and Taipei Main Station.  The seats in the express are also more comfortable, with more room to store your luggage.

One of the cool things about the Airport MRT is the view.  It passes through many remote areas, and will at one point extend further south into Taoyuan, far beyond the airport.  There is, surprisingly, a rather beautiful stretch of mountains between Taipei Main Station and the airport, with views into developing areas nearer the coast.  A section of the track halfway between Taipei Main Station and the airport is also very high up - so high that it almost feels like an amusement park ride.

I have no doubt that areas closer to the intermediate stops will start developing quickly, and I'm sure landowners in that area are thanking their lucky stars that the Airport MRT is finally passing overhead.  You can see the outlines of future parks and industrial centers all along the line, and I'm sure that in the future some of the train stops will be very different from how they appear now.

While I'm often skeptical about large-scale development projects in Taiwan, I'd have to say that the Airport MRT is (so far) an unqualified success.  Gone are the days of taking a bus from Taipei to Taoyuan.  Gone are the days of paying taxi drivers too much money to get you to the airport on time.  Coming as I usually do from Taitung, getting from Taipei to the airport used to be a massive inconvenience.  Now?  Now it's not all that bad!

3. Shopping Around Taitung City 在台東市逛街 (September 2017)

Got back from the States last week.  As you might imagine, there was a lot of shopping to do once we got settled in.  Groceries, school uniforms, and other things.  我們上星期從美國回來.  誠如你所想的, 我們回到台東之後便忙著購買日用品和孩子開學要穿的制服, 添購許多幫助我們回到正常生活步調的物品.

I took the pictures below while we were going around the city.  Nothing particularly scenic or important here, but then again you just never know what people find interesting.  這是我們在市區購物的時候順便拍的, 沒有特別的風景或重點, 只是外縣市的朋友可能會喜歡.

In front of the Taitung County Government building.  The Bank of Taiwan.  在台東縣政府前面的台灣銀行.

In front of the post office on Jung Shan Road.  在中山郵局前面的街景.

Next to the Starbucks on Bo Ai Road.  博愛路的星巴克旁邊.

Renovations around the Starbucks.  It's more pleasant with the front blocked off.  Less tourists!  星巴克外面的木地板正在施工.  前門被擋住比較好.  沒那麼多觀光客!

The new Taitung Mos Burger!  The Starbucks is behind the big tree.  新開的台東的摩斯漢堡.  星巴克就在大樹後面.

RT Mart on Jung Shing Road.  On the way to Tai Ping.  中興路上的大潤發.  靠近太平區.

It was the Jung Yuan Holiday when I took these pictures.  These goods are intended as offerings for spirits...  我拍照的時候正值中元普渡特賣.  這些商品的用途是祭拜給"好兄弟"的...

...but of course those buying them end up eating them.  可是最後當然是給人吃的.

And then there's this thing.  369 NT, but destined for the temple fires just the same.  Sure wouldn't see this kind of thing in Seattle!  還有這個東西.  它賣369元, 可是最後要把它燒掉, 在西雅圖看不到這種東西!

4. 台灣西方文明初體驗 The Influence of Western Civilization on Taiwan (1 of 4) (September 2017)

The information below was taken from 台灣西方文明初體驗 ("The Influence of Western Civilization on Taiwan").  The Chinese was written by Chen Rou-jing, and the English was written/translated from the Chinese by me.  以下的內容來自台灣文明初體驗這本書.  下列中文的部分是從陳柔縉作者的書裡節錄的.  英文的部分則是我寫的.

汽車 Cars

一九00年, 移居美國舊金山的日本人, 送了一部新奇時髦汽車祝賀皇太子大婚.  宮內省一試, 結果車子煞不住, 一頭栽進皇居的豪溝裡.  日本歷史上的第一部汽車最終因潛在的危險, 被鎖進倉庫陪蚊子.  In the year 1900, a Japanese man who had moved to San Francisco sent the Crown Prince a car as his wedding gift.  After the car was brought to his residence, they couldn't get it to start, and it was parked in a ditch outside.  Seen as potentially dangerous, this first car in Japanese history was later placed in a warehouse, where it had only mosquitoes for company.

台灣的第一部汽車, 也有戲劇化的一生.  The story behind Taiwan's first car was similarly dramatic.

一九一二那一年春天, 台北街道出現了第一部汽車.  不像日本, 車主是尊貴的王子, 台灣史上第一位車主是當時知名旅館 "日の丸館" 的經營者杉森與吉.  杉森很早就移住台灣, 依始政五十年台灣草創史 一書記載, 一八九五年六月十七日, 日本開始統治台灣, 七月七日杉森就來台北了 (按, 同書別處另記作九月十二日).  他在離台北火車站不遠的北門街 (今博愛路, 開封街一帶) 經營旅店, 和 "朝陽號" 並稱當時最好的兩家旅館.  杉森買進汽車, 一方面自家使用, 也拿來迎送客人.  In the spring of 1912, the first car was seen on the streets of Taipei.  Unlike Japan, the owner of this "first car" wasn't a prince.  The owner of this first car in Taiwanese history was Sugimori Yoshiyoshi, owner of the famous Hinomarukan (Day Pavilion) Hotel.  Sugimori moved to Taiwan very early on, and his presence here was recorded in the "50-Year Annual of Taiwan's History."  

The Japanese administration of Taiwan began on June 17th, 1895, and Sugimori arrived on the island the following July (the same book lists his day of arrival as the 12th in another section).  He lived not far from the Taipei Train Station, on Bei Men Street (the area that is now the intersection of Bo Ai Road and Kai Feng Street).  He operated both the Hinomarukan Hotel and the Chao Yang Hotel, which were considered the best hotels at the time.  Sugimori bought the car for his own use, and also for transporting guests to and from his hotels.

這部車在台北街頭拉風了兩年, 一九一四年 (大正三年) 十一月七日凌晨三點二十分, 突然就從杉森的 "日の丸館" 起火, 西風助長火勢, 延燒兩個小時, 附近八十六戶燒毀, 隔天報紙標題寫著 "領臺以來の大火".  台灣有史以來第一部汽車, 就在史上大火裡, 燒得只剩骨架.  後來, 車子的骸骨捐給工業學校作為輔助教學之用.  結局似乎比日本的第一部車更加慘烈.  This car was seen on the streets of Taipei for two years, until Sugimori's Hinomarukan Hotel suddenly caught fire in on November 7th, 1914, at 3:20 in the morning.¹  The chief of the western district was called upon to put out the fire, it burned for two hours, and 86 other buildings in the area were burned down.  The headline of the following day's paper read "A Great Fire Comes to Taiwan." Thus,  Taiwan's first car was burned down to its frame in Taiwan's first big fire.  Afterward this frame was donated to a vocational school for instructional purposes.  Its fate seems more tragic than that which met Japan's first car.

從一九三二年 (昭和七年) 創刊的雜誌台灣自動車界的照片看, 一九一四, 一五年左右台灣的汽車, 跟現代房車的形體截然不同.  外觀上類似西方的馬車, 還沒有車門的裝置, 但前頭已有兩枚圓圓的瓦斯頭燈.  杉森的車子應該與之相去無多.  From the pictures published in the magazine "Taiwan Automobile World" from 1932 onward, one can see that the styles of cars used in 1914 or 1915 were very different from what we know today.  The cars looked more like Western (horse) carriages, and were without doors.  The fronts of the cars, however, had a pair of round headlamps.  Sugimori's car was probably very similar.

一九一二年春天, 杉森與吉買進台灣的第一部車, 同年冬天, 第二部車隨後載運到基隆港.  買下這部美國Jackson 32型汽車的也是一家旅館, 位於台北火車站前的 "台灣鐵道旅館".  鐵道旅館創辦於一九0八年, 樣樣走在文明先端, 原先以馬車迎客送客, 此時改用汽車, 再添時髦.  In the spring of 1912, Sugimori Yoshiyoshi bought Taiwan's first car.  In the winter of the same year, the second car was shipped through Keelung Port.  It was another hotel that purchased this American Jackson 32 - the "Taiwan Railway Hotel" located in front of the Taipei Train Station.  The Taiwan Railway Hotel was opened in 1908, and although this dignified hotel originally used a horse and carriage to transport guests, it later switched to the more fashionable automobile.

相隔沒幾個月, 知名戲院 "朝日座" 的專務 (總經理) 高松豐次郎一口氣從日本進口五部汽車, 做起租車生意, 一九一三年元月二日起, 固定載客往返台北和北投之間.  這是台灣營業車的第一頁.  Only a few months later the famous "Sunrise Theater's" General Manager, Kojiro Takamatsu, ordered five cars from Japan which he intended to rent.  From January 2nd, 1913 his customers were shuttled back and forth between Taipei and Beitou, and the vehicles thus used became the first commercial vehicles in Taiwan.²

日本時代的汽車雜誌曾說, 那年頭是腳踏車和人力車盛行的時代, 汽車被視為藍血貴族階級的專有物.  高松豐次郎的創舉, 時機上嫌早些, 經營一年多, 就關門大吉了.  Japanese automotive magazines of the time tell us that during that year bicycles and rickshaws were the main modes of transportation, and that cars were viewed as very expensive toys for the aristocracy.  Kojiro Takamatsu's rental business made some money, but it closed down for good after a year.

"日の丸館" 的第一部車, 最早曾請一位叫高橋由義的人載著杉森老闆試乘過, 高松豐次郎為了做生意, 則特別從東京聘來兩位 "運轉手" (汽車駕駛).  駕駛的名字被清楚記錄下來, 一個叫 "和田源治郎", 後來返回東京.  另一個 "尾花安三郎" 則繼續留在台灣, 離開租用汽車公司後, 改任鐵道飯店的司機.  The Hinomarukan Hotel's first car was driven by a man named Yui Takahashi, who chauffered his boss Sugimori around.  Kojiro Takamatsu was a businessman, and brought two "navigators" (automobile drivers) over from Tokyo.  The names of these two drivers were also recorded.  One of them was named Wada Toruro, and he returned to Tokyo.  The other was named Yanzaburo Ozaka, and he remained in Taiwan, working as a driver for the Taiwan Railway Hotel after he left the car rental business.

一九一六年以前, 台灣全島擁有的汽車數量, 用一雙手就可以數完了.  但這一年四月總督府大張旗鼓舉辦的 "台灣勸業共進會", 給自動車的發展注入新的契機.  由於是商業大會, 一些總公司在日本的店號, 紛紛從日本內地運來汽車以壯聲勢.  一時間, 台北變出二十幾部邊跑邊發爆破噪音的汽車奔馳.  從此以後, 台灣社會對現代汽車有更多認識, 車輛愈來愈多, 用途也愈來愈多元.  到一九二五年, 昭和年代開始, 短短十年, 台灣的汽車界已經非常熱鬧.  Before 1916, all of the cars in Taiwan could have been counted on two hands.  But during April of this year, the Japanese Colonial Administration held the large "Taiwan Business Conference," in which it gave special attention to the development of the automobile market.  As a result of such business conferences and the efforts of a few companies in Japan, the market for automobiles slowly spread outward from the home country.  After a while, the sound of more than 20 roaring vehicles could be heard in Taipei, and after this Taiwanese society developed a much deeper understanding of the automobile.  There were more and more cars put to more and more uses.  By 1925, during the beginning of Emperor Showa's reign, and only about 10 years later, the automotive scene in Taiwan was very lively.

由現存昭和七年到十二年的幾十本汽車專門雜誌台灣自動車界來看, 台灣當時的車業頗為繁榮.  有許多車店, 販賣各廠牌知名汽車, 跟現在的光景沒有太大差別.  車店外排著成堆的新車; 新年度的新款汽車到台灣, 會舉辦所謂的新車發表會.  單台北專門的車公司就達九家, 販賣的廠牌眾多, 有雪佛蘭, 奧斯摩比, 龐帝克, 別克, 福特, 樸利茅斯 (Plymouth), 克萊斯勒, 道奇, 凱狄拉克, 全為美國廠牌汽車.  Several specialist automotive magazines have been preserved from the the seventh to twelfth years of Emperor Showa's reign.  From a perusal of "Taiwan Automobile World" we learn that Taiwan's auto industry was very prosperous.  There were many car dealerships selling every type of car, and the current market for cars is not so different.  New cars were lined up in front of every dealership, and when new models were released each year they held a car show.  There were nine exclusive car dealerships in Taipei alone, selling every brand of car from Chevrolet, to Oldsmobile, to Pontiac, to Buick, to Ford, to Plymouth, to Chrysler, to Dodge, to Cadillac, to every other brand of American car.

汽車可能是當時最貴的動產, 以福特一九三二年出產的名款<型來說, 號稱一罐汽油可以跑八十到八十五哩, 全車安裝玻璃, 標準型的價格是四千三百七十五圓.  這個金額之大, 必須比對當時的所得.  大學生在那時非常稀罕, 畢業初期的月薪是普通上班族的兩, 三倍, 也只有六十圓.  換言之, 也要傾其六年的薪水, 才買得到美國進口轎車.  At the time, cars were probably the most expensive mobile goods that anyone could own, at least until Ford released the Model T in 1932.  This car could go 85 miles on a single can of gas, and a standard model equipped with glass windows sold for 4,375 yen.  

This price must be compared to the wage of the average college graduate at the time.  Back then very few people graduated from college, and their average monthly pay, two or three times that of the average worker, was only 60 yen.  In other words, they would have to save about 6 years' pay for an imported American car.

若不買高級進口車, 也有較便宜的選擇, 雖然對普通人家仍是天價.  日本戰前已能自產汽車, 對台灣而言, 就是所謂的 "國產車".  以一九三五年 "日產自動車株式會社" 生產的Datsun來看, 三種等級, 價位在一千八百五十圓到兩千圓之間.  If people didn't want to buy a fancy imported car, there was also a cheaper option.  Although the price for the average person was still astronomical, Japan produced its own model of car before the Second World War.  In Taiwan this car was known as the "national car."  In 1935 the "Nissan Automatic Car Co. Ltd." began producing three types of this Datsun, and the price ranged from 1,850 to 2,000 yen.³

所有的貴重物品, 鑽石, 鋼琴或汽車, 價格永遠只會為難中下階層.  日治時期的幾個台籍大戶人家, 板橋林家, 霧峰林家都有闊氣少爺買轎車.  高雄陳家年輕的第二代陳啟川 (戰後曾任高雄市長) 就買了克萊斯勒, 汽車雜誌曾刊登他站在自家門前和愛車的合照, 並稱他是 (頂尖車主).  Yet as with all prized possessions, whether they be diamonds, pianos, or cars, it's difficult to offer the same good at a price that normal people can afford.  During the Japanese Colonial Administration only a few Taiwanese households could afford the luxury of owning cars, and these few households included the Lin Family in Banqiao and the Lin Family in Wu Feng (Taichung City).  There was also Chen Shun-chuan, a second generation member of Kaohsiung's Chen Family (he became the mayor of Kaoshiung City after the war), who bought a Chrysler.  An automotive magazine shows a picture of him with his car, calling him a "top car owner."⁴

以前的車牌隨便車主掛車頭任何位置, 有的放左, 有的放右.  車牌上面, 只寫地區和編號 (北XXX), (中XXX), (東XXX).  從昭和七年到十二年的台灣自動車界雜誌, 可以陸續看見北區 (含宜蘭) 車號從 "北187", 累積到 "北1504".  In former times license plates were mounted on the front of the car, wherever the owner chose.  Some were on the left, others were on the right.  On the license plate was stamped the car's district and number, for example "north XXX," "central XXX," or "east XXX."  From an issue of "Taiwan Automobile World" published during the seventh year of Emperor Showa's reign, you can see that license numbers for the north district (including Yilan) started from "north 187" and extended to "north 1504."

這麼多的車對一九三0年代, 有二十五萬人的台北, 開始有建立交通秩序的必要.  除了街頭出現交通警察指揮車輛外, 一九三一年, 台灣交通史上的第一次 "交通安全週" 也於九月十日展開, 全面灌輸現代社會基本的交通規範.  宣導重點從最基本的 "左側通行" 開始.  為此, 台北幾十個重要地點放置看板, 寫著 "交通安全左側通行".  一些交通標語也出爐了, 像是提醒駕駛人 "左小迴い右大迴い" (左轉小彎右轉大彎) 以及 "左極樂右地獄".  還有放宣導電影, 發下一萬五千枝小旗給小學生等等.  With so many cars on the road in 1930, and with 250,000 people living in Taipei, establishing traffic regulations became a necessity.  Aside from traffic policemen appearing on city streets, in 1931 [the government sponsored] the first "traffic safety week" in Taiwan's history.  On September 10 a set of traffic regulations was also implemented.  These regulations started from the very basic "drive on the left," and signs were placed around several important spots in Taipei to remind people to drive on the left side.  Other automotive terms also entered the vocabulary, such as "small switch right [and] small switch left" (make a big turn left, make a small turn right) and "left to heaven, right to hell."  Instructional movies were shown, and 15,000 small traffic flags were given to elementary school students.

昭和初年, 開車不再是買了就上, 必須通過考試.  方式跟戰後大同小異, 一樣有實地試驗, 學科試驗和身體檢查三項.  台北的路考就在圓山運動場的操場.  學科考試部分除了駕駛專門知識, 還考 "地理及常識" 題目像是內閣總理大臣是誰, 台中州警務部長是誰, 解釋甚麼叫 "赤化".  By the end of Emperor Showa's reign, it wasn't enough to just buy a car, you also had to take a test.  This test was very similar to the one used after the war.  It included a driving section, a written section, and a physical checkup.  The Taipei driving test was conducted on the athletic field in Yuan Shan Stadium.  In addition to questions about driving, the written test included questions about "geography and common sense."  There were questions asking who the Prime Minister of the Cabinet was, who the Minister of the Taichu Prefecture⁵ Police Bureau was, and what the color red meant.

通過考試的不只日本人, 也有台灣人; 不只男人, 也有女人.  很難想像, 今年快一百歲的台灣女性, 曾經七, 八十年前, 就會握方向盤.  而且她們不是千金小姐, 玩車兜風, 相反的, 她們以開公車, 卡車為業.  新竹的田英妹, 宜蘭的詹盡, 松山的林阿苓, 她們敢於先行, 挑戰社會既有風氣, 難怪當時充滿陽剛味的汽車雜誌, 都迫不及待專題報導她們的故事.  And it wasn't only Japanese people who passed the test, but also Taiwanese.  It wasn't only men, but also women.  It's hard to believe, but Tseng Jing-chi, who will celebrate her 100th birthday this year, received her license 80 years ago.  The women who earned their licenses weren't just rich women who wanted to play around with cars, but rather commercial truck drivers.  Ying Mei from Hsinchu, Jhan Jin from Yilan, and Lin A-ling from Song Shan were all first to challenge society's expectations.  No wonder male-oriented car magazines of their time couldn't wait to cover their stories.

5. Kaohsiung, According to the MRT and My Faulty Memory (Red Line) (September 2017)

Going down the Red Line.  I was in Kaohsiung just last weekend, so some of the memories are fresher.

1. Gangshan South 南岡山.  We drove up to the top of Gang Shan not so long ago.  Last year?  There are many temples up there, and the view of the city at night is amazing.  Scary drive though - and I should know, because I was the one driving.

2. Ciaotou Sugar Refinery 橋頭糖廠.  I haven't actually been inside the place, but we passed by it on the train many times.  We used to take the train to Da Hu 大湖, not far from where my mom-in-law lived in Lu Jhu District 路竹區.  On the way to Lu Jhu we'd often remark that it looked interesting.

3. Nanzhi Export Processing Center 楠梓加工區.  I've never gotten off at this stop, but Kaohsiung University is near here.  New campus.  Very strange area.  My wife has taken the TOEFL test there many times, and my daughters and I have explored the area on foot.  Really not much to do in that area.

Only in Kaohsiung would you encounter an "Oil Refinery Elementary School" 油廠國小.  I'd love to own their school uniform.  Got lost really bad in the industrial area a few times.  A lot of roads that led nowhere.

4. The World Games (Stadium) 世運.  Ran a half marathon around that area once.

5. Zuoying 左營.  Now this area I know much better.  Back when my mom-in-law lived in Lu Jhu, we often met her at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi 新光三越 Department Store.  

I still think this is one of the best department stores in Taiwan.  The parking's easy, and it's an easy drive over from the freeway.

Near the Dzuo Ying Station you'll also find Lian Chr 蓮池, a famous lake with temples all around its perimeter.  Definitely one of the most photogenic places in Kaohsiung.

6. Ecological District 生態園區.  Another place I've run through.  I remember it being pretty, but not astoundingly so.  It would help to get there early in the morning.

7. The Kaohsiung Arena 巨蛋.  It's kind of cool to walk around that stadium, but it won't blow your mind.  Wound up there on New Year's one time and had a good evening.  The Ruei Feng Night Market 瑞豐夜市 is nearby, and there are also some newer restaurants and microbreweries in that area.

8. Kaohsiung Main Station 高雄車站.  This is the only train station in Taiwan where I've seen prostitutes working openly on the street.  I don't know if they cater to Taiwanese, guys from the Philippines, or what, but what they were doing was VERY obvious.

In my opinion, the only real point of interest here is the Old Kaohsiung Train Station, located next door to the new train station.  It's more than a hundred years old now, and was built by the Japanese Colonial Administration.

If you plan on staying around here (Hey, it can be convenient!), try the area behind the train station (on the other side of the tracks).  Some of the hotels back there are super sketchy, but they're also very cheap.

Otherwise get the hell out of there as fast as you can.  Your lungs will thank you.

9. Formosa Boulevard 美麗島.  This is the station where you switch to the Yellow Line.  It seems very counter-intuitive, but yes, the switch off for the Yellow Line is one stop removed from Kaohsiung Main Station.

There's an astrologically-themed roof in that station that's locally famous.  I wouldn't bother with it if I were you.

I really miss that "Sandwich" restaurant that used to be around there.  They made good burgers!

10. Central Park 中央公園.  Here's a KMRT stop worth visiting for its own sake.  The park is nice in the evening, and there's a fun little shopping center/night market across the street.

11. Sanduo Shopping District 三多商圈.  The wife and kids drag me here all the time, and I know it better than any other part of Kaohsiung.  They have a Sogo 太平洋, they have a Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, and they have an FE 21 遠東百貨.  From the roof of the FE 21 there's an excellent view of downtown Kaohsiung, which should be sort of visible through the smog (ha ha).

Incidentally, single guys or girls in Kaohsiung ought to visit the Eslite 誠品 bookstore in that same FE 21.  That place is a total meat market.  Wall to wall single men and women, all looking for love...

12. Shihjia 獅甲.  This is the stop for Costco and Ikea.  I've never been inside Costco because F*CK CHINA, but I've been to the Ikea plenty.  The American "Consulate" is located behind the Ikea, and there's also a nice little park across from the MRT station.  

In this "Old People's Park" there's a teacher's hostel.  If you teach in a public school (and can prove it), you can stay there for CHEAP.

13. Kaisyuan 凱旋.  This is the stop for Dream Mall 夢時代.  Be warned, however, that after leaving the station you still need to walk down a long street to the mall.  I used to love Dream Mall, but I'm sick of it now.  We still visit the T.G.I. Friday's on occasion.

14. Caoya 草衙.  This is the stop for Taroko Park 大魯閣, the "new" indoor sports facility/shopping mall.  I went bowling there last weekend.  As department stores go it's disappointing, but the theme park outside is a good place for kids, and there are some interesting options with regard to sports.  The restaurants?  Not very good.

Hey, Kaohsiung has an international airport!  I've never used it, but back in the day I drove my father-in-law there a few times.  He was always flying to Hong Kong, and then transferring to weird places like Myanmar and North Korea.  If you're a foreigner, odds are that you've never used this place.

15. Siaogang 小港.  It really doesn't look like much.  It's like a poor man's Kenting 墾丁.  There are some seafood restaurants, and I believe some kind of big temple festival is hosted there once a year.

6. Kaohsiung, According to the MRT and My Faulty Memory (Yellow Line) (September 2017)

The Yellow Line.  I used to take this line a lot more, but since Taroko Park opened we usually drive into the city, and work our way north from the 88 Expressway.

1. Fongshan 鳳山.  It's easy for me to get lost in Fongshan.  I've driven through there a few times, and it rarely goes well for me.  

If you're unfamiliar with Kaohsiung, Fongshan is divided from downtown Kaohsiung by the freeway.  A lot of people who work in Kaohsiung live in Fongshan because it's slightly cheaper.  If I was going to live in Kaohsiung, I'd probably live in one of the suburbs further east/northeast.  Da Shu ("Big Tree") maybe, or Da Liao.

I once visited one of the old "academies" in Fongshan, the Feng Yi Academy, which dates back to 1814.  The Feng Yi Academy and others like it were the Ching Dynasty equivalent of the American one-room schoolhouse, where the youth of their day learned the basic skills needed to advance through the Confucian hierarchy.  Of course the American version was a more democratic affair, but there are many parallels just the same.

There are other Ching era relics in that area, but nothing that's likely to make an impression.  If you're in the neighborhood I suggest visiting the Feng Yi Academy, but be warned that it's been "Disneyfied" a bit, and that the parking situation is terrible.

2. Martial Art Stadium 技擊館.  This is the first MRT stop you encounter after exiting the freeway.  We used to park in the lot behind the stadium, and take the MRT into the city.  Easier than fighting your way down Jong Jeng Road 中正路.

You would think there'd be a lot of good restaurants on Jong Jeng Road, but I haven't found many.  There used to be a really good Italian/pizza restaurant not far from the freeway, but they closed it down for lack of customers.

3. Formosa Boulevard 美麗島.  As said in the previous entry, Formosa Boulevard is where the Red Line and the Yellow Line come together.  It's a big, noisy intersection, and also one of the ugliest parts of downtown Kaohsiung.  I remember it being a more happening area before the advent of the (K)MRT, but these days most of the businesses in that area are dying a slow death.

4. Yenchengpu 鹽埕埔.  This is the stop for the Kaohsiung Zoo, and also one of the most pleasant parts of Kaohsiung to walk around.  There's a Caves Bookstore in the area, and also a lot of bars.  I've never been there at night, but it's probably very lively.

If I were you, I wouldn't bother with the Kaohsiung Zoo.  That place sucks.  It's old, and all the animals there look unhappy.  The area around the zoo can be interesting, but you'd want to avoid it during the middle part of the day.

5. Shidzewan 西子灣.  This is without a doubt the most heavily touristed part of Kaohsiung.  Nothing there is half as awesome as stuff you'd find in Taipei, but if you lower your expectations it can be a fun day trip.

From Shidzewan you can take a ferry across to Chi Jin 旗津 Island.  Chi Jin Island is NOT Kenting (not even close), but it's still much better than Syiaogang to the south.  You can rent bicycles there, watch boats, and have some good seafood.

For that matter, Shidzewan itself has some points of interest.  The old British Consulate 打狗英國領事館 features some interesting exhibits and a nice teashop, and there's an excellent view of ships passing in and out of Kaohsiung Port.

Shidzewan is also close to Kaohsiung's Love River 愛河, which boasts - in my opinion - the best Lantern Festival in Taiwan.  Just don't try driving a car into that area during the festival - you'll sorely regret it.

One place to avoid is the Kaohsiung City History Museum 高雄市立歷史博物館.  Definitely one of the most boring/irrelevant museums in Taiwan.

If you really want to learn about Kaohsiung's history, and if you really want to know what makes that city tick, look no farther than the Kaohsiung Port.  The rest of Kaohsiung grew up around that port, and prior to its construction Kaohsiung was little more than a fishing village.  It was the port that brought industry to Kaohsiung, and it's still the mainstay of Kaohsiung's whole economy.  It's little wonder that they built the 85 Skytower 高雄85大樓*, Dream Mall 夢時代, the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center 高雄展覽館, and Jung Shan University 中山大學** within easy reach of this important place.

But is it interesting?  Only if you like boats.  Lucky for me I'm fascinated by boats, so of course Kaohsiung Port has its attractions for me.  

Then again I am kind of weird, so yeah, maybe give it a miss?

7. The Monkeys and the Dogs 那些猴子跟那些狗 (September 2017)

You might be familiar with the monkeys that live on Li Yu Mountain.  They are often visible on the parts of the mountain near Chang Sha Street, close to Tung Hai Elementary School.  你應該對鯉魚山的那群猴子不陌生.  牠們有時候出現在靠近長沙街東海國小的區域.

Sometimes they come down to the road.  I've seen them walking on the embankment behind the Tu Di Gong (Earth God) temple just off Jeng Chi Road, and also further down, toward the skating rink.  They don't seem to worry much about people, and taking pictures of them is fairly easy.*  牠們有時候會下來路邊.  我看過牠們在正氣路的土地公廟後面, 也看過牠們在溜冰場附近.  牠們好像不怕人, 也很容易拍到牠們的照片.

In the area where they live, there is also a pack of semi-wild dogs.  These dogs try to catch the monkeys at every opportunity.  I often see the monkeys sitting up in the trees, with the dogs barking up at them from below.  The monkeys never seem very concerned about this situation, perhaps because they know that dogs can't climb.  牠們住的那個地區也有一群野狗.  這些狗都很想抓到猴子.  我常常看到在樹下的狗對著樹上的猴子大聲地汪汪叫.  猴子好像對這個情形一點也不在意, 也許牠們都知道狗不能爬樹吧.

The other day my coworker was wondering (aloud) what those monkeys eat.  As far as we know, there are no fruit trees on Li Yu Mountain, though there are some in nearby fields.  My guess is that they mostly eat bugs, and supplement their diet with a some edible plants we don't know about.  Or else they come down at night, and then venture out into adjoining streets for food.  有一天我的同事懷疑那些猴子吃甚麼.  鯉魚山上好像沒有果樹, 雖然附近的地有些果樹.  但我想他們的主要食物應該是昆蟲, 並也吃些其他的植物.  或許牠們天黑的時候才下來吃在路邊的食物.

Those dogs sure do hate them though.  I wonder if it's some instinctual dislike, of if the dogs - in their own minds - are protecting us (and our imaginary fruit trees) from the voracious monkeys.  You'd think they'd know better than to try to catch the monkeys - but then again they're dogs, and not given to that level of introspection.  那群狗非常討厭牠們.  我不知道那是種直覺的討厭, 還是狗想要保護附近的人(及想像中的果樹).  狗應該知道牠們抓不了猴子, 但是狗是不會想那麼多的.

Whatever the reason, I sometimes ask myself what sort of lesson, moral, or metaphor one could draw from this continual struggle between dog and monkey.  Could we say that certain people are monkeys, and that other people are dogs?  Could we draw some kind of philosophical conclusion from their antipathy?  I'm still not sure what to think about it all, but I enjoy the sight of the monkeys, way up in their tree, smiling down at the barking dogs.  不論是甚麼理由, 我有時候想人們是否可以從猴子和狗的衝突中得到道德啟發還是學到隱喻.  我們是否可以說有的人就像當中的猴子, 有的人就像事件中的狗?  我無法從牠們對立的行為上為整個事件下一個標題?  但是我喜歡看到這個景象: 猴子在樹上微笑著看著樹下狂吠的狗.

And what about you?  Would you rather be one of the monkeys trapped on the mountain?  Or the one of the dogs chasing after them?  I'm really not sure which of those animals has a better deal, or if either is pleased with his or her lot in life.  那你呢?  你覺得當困在山上的猴子比較好?  還是當追補的野狗比較好?  我不確定哪一種動物的生活比較快樂, 也不知道那兩種動物覺得這樣的生活是好還是壞.

I suppose that if I could choose, I'd instead choose to be one of my house cats.  Sleeping all day in an air-conditioned room sounds pretty good to me.  I don't imagine cat food is all that delicious (even to cats), but it would be a small price to pay for free room and board for the rest of my life.  Just remember to clean my catbox and change my drinking water.  I'll be just fine while the rest of you head off to work.  我想如果我可以選的話, 我比較想當我家裡養的貓.  整天睡在冷氣房裡聽起來不錯.  雖然貓應該不喜歡每天吃貓食, 但這是一輩子免費住宿的小小代價.  只要記得清理我的貓砂和換乾淨的飲水!  我會在你們上班的時候好好的!

8. What's Going on with the Taitung City, Township, and Municipality Offices 台東市,鄉,鎮公所最近動向 2 (September 2017)

For those less familiar with Taiwan, the "big" cities are divided into districts (區), and the counties are divided into cities (市), townships (鄉), and municipalities (鎮).  對台灣比較不熟悉的讀者,  大城市 (高雄, 台南, 台中, 新竹, 基隆, 嘉義, 台北, 跟新北市) 以下有區的劃分, 縣 (城市外的地方)則由其他的市, 鄉, 鎮組成.

The websites for each of the Taitung city, township, and municipality offices are linked below.  Many of these websites aren't updated very often.  以下有每個市, 鄉, 鎮公所的網站.  只是有的網站不常更新他們的資料.

I also scanned through the news for any interesting news items relevant to the township and municipalities below.  There isn't a lot of Taitung-related news in the best of times, but I did my best to find relevant articles. 我也看最近的新聞, 希望找與這些城鎮相關的有趣的報導.  我盡力了, 只是台東的新聞不多.

1. Da Ren Township 達仁鄉公所

In the interest of boosting the "economic competitiveness" of each village, the Da Ren Township hosted a cooking class for township residents.  為了提升部落的產業競爭力, 達仁開創意料理研習班.

The "Folk Sports Games" for the Paiwan and Rukai tribes will be held in Da Ren on October 7.  十月七日達仁舉行排灣與魯凱族的民俗競技運動會.

2. Da Wu Township 大武鄉公所

Not much news out of Da Wu, but there was a story mentioning the deterioration of bike paths in that area.  As with most public works projects, building them is relatively easy, maintaining them is hard.  大武的新聞不多, 可是有一則報導說那附近的單車道保護及管理不善.  公共工程都這樣子吧!  完成建造比較簡單, 保護和管理的部分比較困難.

3. Jin Feng Township 金峰鄉公所

No real news out of Jin Feng, though they are also mentioned in the bike path article above.  Is there a bike path in Jin Feng?  I had no idea!  金峰也沒什麼消息, 可是上面連結的報導也提到金鋒的單車道.  金峰有單車道嗎?  我沒注意到!

There's a new suspension bridge in Jin Feng.  金峰新吊橋完工.

4. Tai Ma Li Township 太麻里鄉公所

There was a photography competition sponsored by the Tai Ma Li Township Office.  "太麻里鄉公所策辦 "2017太麻里鄉忘憂一夏攝影比賽."

In a recent article former President Ma Ying-jeou discussed his connection with the town of Duo Liang in Tai Ma Li.  Both Jin Jen Mountain and Duo Liang are probably the biggest tourist sites in that township.  在最近的報導, 前總統馬英九 "回憶認養太麻里鄉多良村的孩子."  金針山跟多良大概是太麻里鄉最重要的觀光景點.

Have you heard of Tai Ma Li's "Crocodile Mountain?"  I hadn't either.  There are many photos here.  你聽說過太麻里的 "鱷魚山" 嗎?  我沒有. 但這裡有很多照片.

The overpass near Jin Luen has been completed and is open to traffic.  金崙大橋完工, 通車.

5. Orchid Island Township 蘭嶼鄉公所

Their township website hasn't been updated in so long it's ridiculous.  他們鄉公所已經很久沒有新的消息了.

Garbage washing up on the shores of Orchid Island continues to be a problem, but some residents are incorporating this waste into local crafts.  許多廢棄物被海浪沖到蘭嶼, 這一直是蘭嶼的環境問題  有的居民則將這些海漂垃圾轉化成藝術品.

6. Green Island Township 綠島鄉公所

Green Island is trying to reduce its carbon emissions.  Took them long enough!  Several activities were held to this end, one focused on protecting land crabs.  綠島鄉舉辦多個減碳活動.  等待這樣的行動真是夠久了!  其中一個活動是保護陸蟹.

The Taitung County Environmental Protection Bureau and the Green Island Township Office also hosted a garbage collection activity near fishing ports.  台東縣環保局跟綠島公所在漁港附近舉辦垃圾清除大進擊.

7. Taitung City 台東市公所

The City Office held a youth basketball competition on September 9th.  台東市公所在9月9日舉行籃球社區聯誼賽.

Due to their frustration with the local government, the Queen of Heaven Temple no longer wants to host the "Rao Jing" activity.  天后宮不再主辦元宵遶境祈福活動的四個理由...

What to do with that piece of land in front the Central Market?  Most recently it's a parking lot, but not many people are using it.  中央市場前面空地的用途?  現在主要是當停車場, 可是利用的人不多.

There are many snakes in the Exercise Park ("Tung Hai Exercise Park").*  This park is very dark at night, and people are worried they will step on one.  運動公園裡的蛇很多.  夜間的時候公園很暗, 很多人怕踏到蛇!

There's an article complaining about the insufficient lighting along the road to Taitung University's Jer Ben campus.  有報導說往台東大學知本校園的路燈不夠.

8. Beinan Township 卑南鄉公所

This year's Double Ten Fireworks show will take place at the mouth of the Beinan River.  The Beinan Township Office is encouraging tourists to visit that area during that time.  "今年雙十國慶煙火在台東市卑南溪出海口施放，卑南鄉公所... 整理出鄉內... 可觀賞燦爛火花的地點."

9. Dong He Township 東河鄉公所

Typhoon Talim had pomelo farmers in Dong He worried, but as we now know it wasn't that big a deal.  泰利颱風讓東河鄉種柚子的農民很緊張, 後來還好只是虛驚一場.

Efforts to "clean up" Jin Dzuen Fishing Port are leaving fishermen there feeling disrespected.  台東縣政府要清理金樽漁港的漁具, 可是那邊的住戶覺得縣府的做法不尊重他們.

There was a car accident on Highway 11, between Taitung City and Dulan.  5 people were hurt.  台11線發生車禍.  5人受傷.

10. Cheng Gong Municipality 成功鎮公所

You know, I would love to tell you more about what's going on in Cheng Gong, but their website will give your computer a virus!  For the time being, I suggest NOT visiting the above-linked web page.  我很想提供您成功鎮的消息, 可是他們鎮公所的網頁讓使用者的電腦中毒.  我不建議參考上面連結的網站.

Couldn't find any other (recent) news about Cheng Gong.  最近成功沒有其他的消息.

11. Chang Bin Township 長濱鄉公所

A motorcycle club visited Chang Bin Elementary School.  They also contributed money toward the construction of a new baseball field there.  哈雷騎士去長濱國小並捐錢重建他們的棒球場.

An older man in Chang Bin was tricked out of a lot of money.  The police had to intervene to prevent him from giving away even more!  長濱一位老先生被騙很多錢.  警察後來成功阻止他再匯錢!

12. Lu Ye Township 鹿野鄉公所

Local Kuomintang representatives banded together to help a local man in difficulty.  In case you didn't know, the KMT still enjoys widespread support in Taitung.  國民黨的黨工去鹿野把生活物資送給當地有需要的人.  國民黨在台東還是很受歡迎.

The National Tea Making Competition was recently held in Lu Ye.  全國製茶技術競賽在鹿野鄉舉辦.

13. Yan Ping Township 延平鄉公所

A private company is planning to develop a geothermal power plant in Hong Ye.  They held a meeting (on the basketball court!) in Hong Ye Elementary School to explain this project, but many local residents were confused by the company's presentation.  一家開發公司計畫在紅葉興建地熱發電廠.  並在紅葉國小籃球場招開說明會, 但是很多當地人根本不知道有說明會, 也不了解這公司的計畫內容.

There are efforts underway to produce and promote more "tribal rice" (rice grown in local villages).  A village in Yan Ping is part of these efforts.  延平鄉有部落要推自產的 "部落米."

14. Guanshan Municipality 關山鎮公所

There was a car race in Guanshan.  Too bad the event left garbage everywhere.  關山舉辦賽車活動.  可惜活動結束之後留下那麼多垃圾...**

And speaking of dangerous driving, 2 were killed and 7 injured when a mini bus hit a tour bus.  又講到危險的路況.  客貨車撞客運之後有2死7傷.

15. Hai Duan Township 海端鄉公所

The "Pasibutbut" exhibition in Taitung City's Prehistory Museum celebrates aspects of Hai Duan's Bunun Tribe.  台東市立史前博物館舉辦 "與祖先對唱, 海端鄉布農族Pasibutbut特展."

A new "medical assistance vehicle" will be patrolling villages in Hai Duan.  有新的 "醫療專車" 出現在海端的部落.

16. Chr Shang Township 池上鄉公所

There will be an arts festival in Chr Shang at the end of next month.  Wu Bai's playing, so expect crowds!  下個月池上要舉辦藝術節.  伍佰也要在那裏演唱.  應該會人山人海.

The Chr Shang Township Office, the Department of Transportation's Tourism Division, and the East Coast National Scenic Area Management Department are jointly hosting some kind of "bicycle picnic" in Chr Shang on October 10.  There will be crafts (DIY activities) and food.  10月的時候, 池上鄉公所, 交通部觀光局, 跟花東縱谷國家風景區管理處要共同舉辦 "單車野餐日" 活動.  將有DIY體驗跟美食.

Businesses in Chr Shang are reducing their use of plastics as part of a county-wide effort to improve the environment.  池上鄉推出 "環境保護公約," 邀請附近的商家減塑.

9. Wandering Around Guanshan 在關山走走 (September 2017)

Guanshan is one of the biggest towns between Taitung City and Hualien City.  It's around an hour north from where I live.  關山是台東市與花蓮市間的其中一個大城鎮.  從我家到關山開車要一小時左右.

What's the name of this place?  I don't remember.  I think it used to be Hong Shr (Red Rock) Elementary School, but like many schools in that area it closed down for lack of students.  Now it's sort of a "base camp" for mountaineering activities.  這個地方叫甚麼名字?  我忘了.  好像是以前的紅石國小, 可是後來跟很多地區學校一樣, 學生人數太少關門了.  現在是 "面山學校."

This is the Hong Shr Forest Trail, which lies behind the former school.  This trail goes DEEP into the mountains, much farther than I was prepared to walk at 2 pm on a (hot) Friday.  I'd like to come back here some time and investigate further.  這是學校後面的紅石林道.  這條步道很長, 只是我沒準備禮拜五下午二點的時候走入深林裡, 我應該改天再來走吧!

This is the view from about 10 minutes up.  In the foreground is the town (village?) of Hong Shr.  In the middle is downtown Guanshan.  往上走十分鐘之後看到的風景.  紅石部落在下面, 在照片中央的是關山市區.

And this is the other side of that same valley, near the Dian Guang (Electric Light) Village.  在山谷另外一邊的電光部落.

Rice is the big crop on this side of the river.  On the other side of the river they raise a lot of pigs.  Guanshan can smell pretty rough when the wind is blowing through the pig farms.  關山大部分的農民種米.  河的另外一邊養豬.  關山市區因為風向的關係有時很臭!

As you can see, the clouds were looking very dramatic.  It's very quiet here, and also a good area for bicycling.  在這附近的雲看起來很酷!  是個適合騎單車的好地方.

I know tourists love Mr. Brown Boulevard in Chr Shang, but there are many places in Guanshan that look almost identical.  The valley around Chr Shang is a little wider, but that's about it.  我知道觀光客超愛池上的伯郎大道, 可是關山也有很多一樣的地方.  只是池上附近的山谷寬了一點而已.

A trek further up the Hong Shr Forest Trail would have taken me straight up into those clouds.  Ah well, another day...  再往紅石林道裡面走一點就到雲裡了.  可惜... 改天再來吧!

Definitely a good place to think.  真是一個適合思考的地方.

10. Taipei, According to the MRT and My Faulty Memory (Blue Line) (October 2017)

The Blue Line is the line I know best.  I take the Red and Brown Lines fairly often, but I don't use them half as much as the Blue.

1. Nangang 南港.  By brother-in-law lives near Nangang, just over the city limit in Bai Fu 百福, Keelung City 基隆市.  When we visit him during Chinese New Year we usually park our car near his house, take the train from Bai Fu to Nangang, and then take the MRT into Taipei City.

There are a couple department stores in Nangang, but unless you're a businessman you'd have little reason to go there.  The CityLink department store in Nangang has one of the few remaining dine-in Pizza Huts, and the view from that restaurant is surprisingly good.

Last time we were in Nangang I made an effort to explore the area.  There's not much around there now, but I have the feeling it will develop quickly.

2. Taipei City Hall 市政府.  Aside from the abodes of various in-laws (my wife has a lot of family in Taipei), this is the part of Taipei I visit most often.  This is the stop for the Taipei 101 Building and the big shopping center surrounding it.

Every time I visit this area they're building something new, and every time I visit a store that I once visited has closed, to be replaced by another store or restaurant.  There's a lot of money to be made in this area, but there's also a lot of competition.  I imagine that it's very similar to parts of China.

If you're a foreigner and you're looking for a good hamburger, this is the place to go.  I make a point of visiting the Gordon Biersch in the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi 新光三越 every time I'm there.  There's also a T.G.I. Friday's and a Chili's nearby.  This is not even to mention the countless other Western restaurants in that area.  I even had fairly authentic Mexican food there once.

The Discovery Center of Taipei is also not far, in the Taipei City Government Building.  Kind of interesting, and there's no entrance fee.

3. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall 國父紀念館.  If it's not to hot and I'm coming from the Taipei Main Station, I'll usually get off the MRT and walk from here to the Taipei 101.  If you're going all the way over to the 101, it's actually about the same distance from the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall as it is from Taipei City Government.

This place is always very lively.  A lot of high school kids practice their dancing on the second floor of the hall, and there are always other activities going on.

4. Zhongxiao Dunhua 忠孝敦化.  My wife's aunt lives not far from here, about halfway between this stop and the next one.  She lives in a BIG apartment building just off the main road.

5. Zhongxiao Fuxing 忠孝復興.  This is another big shopping area.  There's not one but two Sogos 太平洋, and also the original Breeze department store 微風 up the street.  The movie theater in that Breeze is probably my favorite in Taipei.  It's not super new or super big, but it's rarely crowded.

6. Shandao Temple 善導寺.  I don't go to this stop very often, but I remember that this was where the the depot for shipping things via train was.  There's a small building near the MRT stop, and if you're shipping things from Taipei to Taitung (like I was) that's where you have to go.

7. Taipei Main Station 台北車站.  Who hasn't been here at least once?  I can't tell you how many hours of my life have been spent in this place, waiting for various trains.  

The newer Breeze on the second floor of the train station is not usually worth messing with - too crowded - so if you're stuck near the station I suggest venturing over to the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi 新光三越 across the street.  To be sure, the Taipei City Mall 地下街beneath the train station has better food, but getting a seat there can be a challenge.

And isn't the Taiwan History Museum near there?  That museum is not worth going to.  The building it's housed in is kind of cool, but the exhibits are disappointing.

8. Ximen 西門.  Ximending 西門町 is one of the most popular shopping areas in Taipei, and if you're a younger person (or if you have younger people in tow) you should visit it for at least one evening.  My daughters love that place, even if most of the stores sell similar things.

9. Longshan Temple 龍山寺.  Dedicated (consecrated?) to the goddess Kuanyin (Guanyin).  It's very old, and there aren't many like it in Taiwan, but unless you're really into temple architecture you probably won't notice the difference.

Anyway, it's a very busy place, especially on certain holidays, and there's some good food in that area.

I have a really bad memory of taking the GRE (the test to get into American graduate schools) in a building near the Longshan Temple.  I did well on two of the sections, but totally bombed the math/analytical part.  It wasn't so much that I couldn't do it, just that the time allotted for the GRE was SO long, and by the time I got to the math/analytical part I had lost all my patience.  After a few questions I started answering everything with "B."

10. Banqiao 板橋.  My brother-in-law, before he lived in Keelung, lived here.  This area has really exploded in recent years, and there's a surprising amount of shopping to be done in and around Banqiao Station.

I've walked around this area A LOT, so I know it pretty well.  If you're in the area you can visit the Lin Family Garden 林家花園, but only if you're looking for something historic.

11. Far Eastern Hospital 亞東醫院.  Nothing of interest here, really.  I only remember it because it's the closest stop to where my father-in-law lives in Shulin 樹林.

The roads in that part of New Taipei City 新北市 are a labyrinth that consumes the unwary. so be sure to have a map handy.  Even with a GPS I've gotten lost around there.  Shulin, Linkou 林口, Xinjuang 新莊, Yonghe 永和 - it's all a big mess of traffic and alleyways that go nowhere.