Always hide the camera while you're taking a shower. OK?

Au Naturale

Notice the lack of recent updates? I've been so absorbed in work that I hardly even use my camera anymore. Thanks to my efforts, things have been working well in my classroom and I've learned a lot of Chinese from my instructor and I continue martial arts training, however, I needed a break.

At the end of school on a Friday afternoon after a long week leading into the Moon Festival, I did as a good traveller would: I opened the handy Lonely Planet Guide to a random page and pointed. Fate pointed me to Shih Tou Shan in Miaoli County.

Shih Tou Shan is a mountain community of Buddhist Temples surrounding a lake. In fact, there are no hotels in Shih Tou Shan -- tourists and pilgrims must stay at one of the area monestaries. I thought this a beautiful. perfect respite from a long week at work. As my students' parents began arriving to pick up their kids, I imagined waking at 5:00 AM to chant with the monks, ring the prayer bell and swim in the lake, I recruited my friend and translator, Ranjana to hop on the train with me and go.

Travelling requires one to roll with the punches, so when Ranjana called the monestary from the train and found out they did not take guests after eight and our train did not arrive until almost nine, we found alternatives. We located a small mountain guest house/ tea room/ bed and breakfast in Miaoli which was serene, beautific and advertised excellent fondue. (and you know how I feel about fondue. . .)

Birds are rare in the smog of Taipei. In fact, Trees are rare in Taipei. Ten square feet free of three Tawanese kids and a scooter are rare in Taipei. The gardens and mountain trails of Mioali were just what the doctor ordered. Thanks to the generousity of a BMW-driving elderly couple, we were able to make it down the mountain in time to make our train back to the busy city life. It is traveling weekends like this that recharge the soul and help keep everyday life interesting no matter where you are.

Kung Fu class at K-TV. L to R: Joane, Mick (2nd degree black belt, Kung Fu Sa Da), Gary. More on this later.

All of my co-workers, of course, think I am crazy. The pattern of behavior they've observed ("Three day weekend? I should fly to Japan and see a football game!") has supported this finding. I think, though, that sitting still is for the weak of heart.

That isn't to say I don't miss folks back home. In fact, here go the September shouts to my homeys:

1.Ma'am, yeah, you're right as usual.
2.Griff: The travel agents have been contacted the tickets are being researched so we may achieve maximum debauchery for the money
3.Evan: Damn your life got interesting fast.
4.Good to hear from you Rosemary and Kevin.
5. Ronna, I am still awaiting pictures.
Note: The "P" key on my keyboard is sticking. I hate it when that happens.
6a.P & P: We'll be lucky to survive the season
6b.B & M: Bledsoe, however, looks to be what the doctor ordered. If only they'd win while scoring mountains of points. Barbara, rooting for the Panthers is just NOT an option, so don't do it.
7.Ernie got married? Who'd have thunk it. . .
I have to get to sleep, I miss everyone very much. I promise to make you all some yummy Dou-Gan when I get back.

- September 24, 2002

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