Last Day in Taiwan

Last Day in Taiwan, I am so grateful for all the love and warmth showered onto me.  I had so much fun.  It was a very healing trip with family.  I am so blessed to have such amazing family on earth.  I am also glad I can help my mom with her flight getting on the right flight and with her luggages. 

She Had a Divine Face

Day 28 Con't
In the evening my 4th aunty set up a meeting with my cousin Jane who is now a Buddhist nun and is at a local monastery. I got lost with the bus system and took a long time to get there. My cousin, as it turns out was a very busy nun and was under the impression my mom was with me etc,... and was quite disappointed to just see me. I was quite grumpy by the time I got to her place and feeling ill exhausted dizzy from getting lost and wasn't all that polite. Strange, how it all turned out. I really felt like I was bothering her and taking up her time somehow. And yet we had exchanges where we reached mutual understanding of things of where we are in our lives and in our current condition of things. When leaving for the bus station,it had begun drizzling. I saw a couple rummaging through two garbage cans for food. This really depressed me. It was so sad to see. This couple was not old or middle aged. Why did they have to do this in the dark of the night? They seemed able physically to work and get paid. It's just so sad and disturbing. I really wanted to say something, and demanded to know why. I held my Sagittarian tongue and just kept on walking in the rain.







While on the bus, there was night traffic at 10:30pm. How is this possible? There was a procession for MaZu on the street with fireworks. I got off the bus to check out the festivities at night on the road. There was a band of young men playing traditional instruments. Of which really is a challenge to my ears. I watched the energy of these young men, playing instruments and carrying large parade pieces. They had good young chi, honorablly placed and executed. I was impressed with the focus, dedication, and unity. The fireworks I must say, super dangerously executed. I am glad no one got hurt.







I had to take the MRT home after the bus and I came across a woman whom I first noticed was her face and her energy. She had a divine face. She was an elderly grandma. My eyes were fixed onto her face trying to figure out what was it that made her so divinely beautiful in a culture of modern time that celebrated youth and women in their teens. Then I saw her pull out her recitation prayer counter. And I knew it was her practice of her mind that is divine, oozing out of her pours. I felt so lucky to have come across someone like her next to me on MRT.  I also love all the art displays on the walls of MRT stations.  I really appreciate art and access to viewings of art in public places. 

I Wanted More Than a Sign

Day 28
It's Sunday and I didn't have anything planned.  I just know I am out of cash.  So I had to go to a bank to withdraw more cash.  I shopped at the underground mall at the LongShanSi temple.  Yes, it's best to ask questions here since my foot somehow wandered over here. 
















These are one of my favorite classic savory pastries, curry flavored mung bean filling.



More family time, people were all still up.

Green Expo Bicycle Exhibition Yilan

Day 27

Yup, this morning we had more fun with the wedding reception set ups.  We took photos as if we were part of this wedding party.




















I find this place is beautifully done and had cute aspects.







Nothing like a swing to bring out the child within.
















Breakfast was fun, I like buffets, it's much easier to make and build your own plate to exact individual taste.  











I like how in Taiwan you can make your own noodle soup so that your noodles are freshly done al dente. 


One of my favorite buns, the taro filling. 























Nothing like cloudy overcaste bright sky through the window to set smooth skin for a photo. 



We went to the Green Expo that highlighted bicycles.  Taiwan is quite a manufacturer of bicycles.  I spent time playing with fold up bicycles.  If only they made then super light. 


















































Cool peddler stall, this is pre mini van truck era.












































































































































This was super fun.  I really enjoyed this.


















Lots of amazing green ideas people have. 





































Chili exhibition, I had to try these chili oil, powders etc..   at killer digits.  I was in pain. 
















This is a maze inspired by Picasso. 


















A field trip is not complete until a popcicle is done.
















Shuttles are great and I think Taiwan is more sensitive to elder and travel impaired services, I really like this about Taiwan.   





























This is yummy, a strange looking combination of cilantrao and ice cream but it really does taste really good with taro ice crea.   









I don't know how to do this. 


















Went to Jade MaZu temple and I really like the energy of this place. 


















Fried bun.  Yum.  Can't be good for the heart. I went to San He night market to shop and I bought more things. Cell phone rang and I picked up a dinner invite to hot pot at a local place by 2nd Aunty and her husband. I dashed there because it was in my honor. During dinner, 4th uncle in law pulled out 15 pounds of red somen and tea stash for a year. I was so happy. The night was just begining. After dinner we went to Uncle Masa's for catch up with his children and grandkids. Then I went to 4th aunties for tea. I then went back to Uncle Masa's place for more tea and we chatted for another hours.