Day 24

Today we had another road trip north to the coast and Dhrma Drum Mountain. When we were almost there, our van died. It was the same van from last evening. We waited on the side of the road for an hour while a substitute was sent. We will make sure we don’t get in that other van again!

We reached Dhrma Drum Mountain late, and saw an introduction video before lunch. Dhrma Drum is a Buddhist temple and training center in Chan Buddhism under spiritual leader Master Sheng Yen. Our lunch was modest, silent, and men & women ate separately. Afterwards we toured the facility, which was built in 2005 and is still growing.

Our afternoon was spent at the Juming Museum, home to an outdoor sculpture garden that houses works by the museum’s namesake. Juming became famous through his series of works entitled “Tai Chi”. He has various other life-sized series throughout the large extended garden area and also inside.

Motor Scooters are everywhere in Taipei and are the preferred mode of transportation for most students and workers. Many drivers wear masks when driving to protect themselves from fumes. (Many pedestrians also wear masks.) Scooter drivers are fearless and take advantage of every small opening to gain ground. It is amazing there aren’t more accidents.