Our day began with a 4:00 A.M. wakeup call so we would have plenty of time to make our 7:20 A.M. flight back to Charlotte, NC. Even with all of our gifts and purchases, we were able to get our bags packed and stay within the designated weight requirement.
On each of the three legs of the flight the planes were full, so we did not have any additional room in which to stretch out. We managed to get through having to deplane with all belongings twice during the flight and were only 10 minutes late arriving in Charlotte.
We were greeted by friends and loved ones, and will now adjust to the jetlag and get back to our routines in Charlotte. This trip however will have a lasting influence on our lives, and we will be forever changed by it.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Day 29
According to the lunar calendar, it is Buddha’s birthday. There was a parade and thousands were expected at a celebration at the Liberty Hall in central Taipei.
Today is also our last full day in Taiwan and designated as a “shopping day”. The team all made plans with their free time. Some met with host families, while others enjoyed the city alone - but with an increased familiarity that has been gained over the past four weeks.
In Taipei, massages are thought of as a requirement for good health. Some foot massage parlors are open until 1 or 2 A.M. so residents can drop in to relieve stress. Most hair salons include scalp massages when clients get shampoos. Many of the team members were treated to massages by their host families.
In the evening there was a “Farewell Party” held for the team. Attending the party were host families, day hosts, the District 3520 Outbound GSE Team, and other GSE sponsors and helpers. Performances were provided by both the outbound & inbound teams and included the “Chicken Dance”, which seems to be a big hit in Taipei. Each member of our team also talked about their experiences in Taiwan over the past month and had the chance to thank everyone for their hospitality during our visit. Everyone has been so warm, welcoming and generous that thank you does not seem like enough to say for all that they have done to make our trip so memorable. We will never forget how they made us feel at home.
We were each given a tea set and loose tea so we could prepare tea Chinese style once we returned to the States. What a beautiful parting gift!
Hugs were exchanged and tears were shed as everyone reminisced. We will truly miss all of our new friends. We love Taiwan!
Today is also our last full day in Taiwan and designated as a “shopping day”. The team all made plans with their free time. Some met with host families, while others enjoyed the city alone - but with an increased familiarity that has been gained over the past four weeks.
In Taipei, massages are thought of as a requirement for good health. Some foot massage parlors are open until 1 or 2 A.M. so residents can drop in to relieve stress. Most hair salons include scalp massages when clients get shampoos. Many of the team members were treated to massages by their host families.
In the evening there was a “Farewell Party” held for the team. Attending the party were host families, day hosts, the District 3520 Outbound GSE Team, and other GSE sponsors and helpers. Performances were provided by both the outbound & inbound teams and included the “Chicken Dance”, which seems to be a big hit in Taipei. Each member of our team also talked about their experiences in Taiwan over the past month and had the chance to thank everyone for their hospitality during our visit. Everyone has been so warm, welcoming and generous that thank you does not seem like enough to say for all that they have done to make our trip so memorable. We will never forget how they made us feel at home.
We were each given a tea set and loose tea so we could prepare tea Chinese style once we returned to the States. What a beautiful parting gift!
Hugs were exchanged and tears were shed as everyone reminisced. We will truly miss all of our new friends. We love Taiwan!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Day 28
Today we had our last road trip to the ceramic town of Yingge, which is a half hour drive from Taipei. Our visit started with a tour of the Yingge Ceramic Museum, where we learned about the long history of ceramics in the region. Hands-on demonstrations were included.
After a tasty lunch of sushi at Grandma Sushi, we went to the famous pottery center of Yingge and shopped at the numerous pottery stores. The stores contained lovely pottery crafted in the region. After spending four weeks in Taiwan, everyone was eager to have souvenirs, particularly tea implements and other items that will help us remember the wonderful meals and tea sessions we enjoyed during our stay.
After afternoon tea, we traveled to Sanshia for more shopping in the lovely Old Street area. Although it was raining, as it has been for 4 out of 5 of the past days, the team enjoyed browsing though the many stores that included numerous Taiwanese crafts. (Did we mention that this is the rainy season in Taiwan?) We ended our visit to Sanshia by visiting the Tsushih Temple. The temple is famous for its carved stone columns. Some of the main columns took craftsmen 80 years to complete. It is a truly magnificent sight.
After a tasty lunch of sushi at Grandma Sushi, we went to the famous pottery center of Yingge and shopped at the numerous pottery stores. The stores contained lovely pottery crafted in the region. After spending four weeks in Taiwan, everyone was eager to have souvenirs, particularly tea implements and other items that will help us remember the wonderful meals and tea sessions we enjoyed during our stay.
After afternoon tea, we traveled to Sanshia for more shopping in the lovely Old Street area. Although it was raining, as it has been for 4 out of 5 of the past days, the team enjoyed browsing though the many stores that included numerous Taiwanese crafts. (Did we mention that this is the rainy season in Taiwan?) We ended our visit to Sanshia by visiting the Tsushih Temple. The temple is famous for its carved stone columns. Some of the main columns took craftsmen 80 years to complete. It is a truly magnificent sight.
Day 27
The team began the day with a visit to a historical Taiwanese residence that is approximately 180 years old. The one level structure included many symbolisms including vases, turtles, bats and books. The home had both public space that included a courtyard and altar area and private space that included the family living quarters. Unattached structures included a schoolhouse, which again showed the importance of education to the Taiwanese even almost 200 years ago.
Our final Rotary presentation and exchange of flags were held at the An Ho Rotary club. We enjoyed the fellowship of the club and especially liked the vocal renditions of Harry Wu. What a voice!
The afternoon was spent leisurely at the presidential residence. We strolled through the beautiful grounds, the herb garden and had tea at the café.
Our final Rotary presentation and exchange of flags were held at the An Ho Rotary club. We enjoyed the fellowship of the club and especially liked the vocal renditions of Harry Wu. What a voice!
The afternoon was spent leisurely at the presidential residence. We strolled through the beautiful grounds, the herb garden and had tea at the café.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Day 26
We are down to a handful of days left for our visit to Taiwan. This day started at the National Taipei University of Education, which houses the Chinese Language Education Center. The team sat in on a Mandarin Chinese class that was being taught to Rotary Youth Exchange students. It was interesting to see the progress that these Latin American students have made in just two months. We were next treated to the Performance of Achievements, and works by a group of 16 students from Thailand who had just completed a 6-week course in language and culture at the university. The visitors were paired with Taiwanese student teachers during their stay.
Lunch was at the Yie-shian Rotary club, an all-female club that is in its 7th year. Each team member received a cake in celebration of the birth of one of the member’s grandchild. This exchange of food (cake or rice) is a Taiwanese custom. Flags were exchanged, and a group photo taken.
The afternoon was spent at the Miramar Ferris Wheel.
Lunch was at the Yie-shian Rotary club, an all-female club that is in its 7th year. Each team member received a cake in celebration of the birth of one of the member’s grandchild. This exchange of food (cake or rice) is a Taiwanese custom. Flags were exchanged, and a group photo taken.
The afternoon was spent at the Miramar Ferris Wheel.
Day 25
A day of formal visits starting with the Presidential Office Building. We were unable to take pictures of this structure, which is over 100 years old and was built by the Japanese. It houses an archive of important documents taht starts with 19 Japanese rulers and ends with the current Taiwanese president.
We had a short visit to the Eslite Book store. It is renown for its size and for being open for 24 hours. The team enjoyed perusing the many titles and was able to purchase books that were in Mandarin Chinese with English translations.
The Fuling Rotary Club hosted our lunch. We have enjoyed giving our presentations to the clubs and now know many members from previous encounters. Of course, Rotary flags were exchanged.
We traveled to Danshui Street, which is north of Taipei and on the coast. The team visited Fort San Domingo, which was from the time that the Spanish and Dutch inhabited the island of Taiwan. We also toured the former British Consulate building.
After tea at a local café, we walked along the waterfront and enjoyed the ocean view. Unfortunately, it was too late to take the ferry across the harbor.
We had a short visit to the Eslite Book store. It is renown for its size and for being open for 24 hours. The team enjoyed perusing the many titles and was able to purchase books that were in Mandarin Chinese with English translations.
The Fuling Rotary Club hosted our lunch. We have enjoyed giving our presentations to the clubs and now know many members from previous encounters. Of course, Rotary flags were exchanged.
We traveled to Danshui Street, which is north of Taipei and on the coast. The team visited Fort San Domingo, which was from the time that the Spanish and Dutch inhabited the island of Taiwan. We also toured the former British Consulate building.
After tea at a local café, we walked along the waterfront and enjoyed the ocean view. Unfortunately, it was too late to take the ferry across the harbor.
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.
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.
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