| Only 20 Days This time |
[Jun. 26th, 2007|10:01 pm] |
I'm back from cambodia and my poo has just stopped being water, as I am coming to terms with what i saw. Which was a lot. My travelling companion was a driven one. We saw the whole country in 8 days. Is is interesting for me, having been to so many places, relatively rich places, to get a litle shock at country number 23 or so. Not a big shock, just a recognition that I've still got a lot of the world to see....
I'm out of practice and i don't really know what to write about. The temples of Angkor wat, the lack of middle aged people, the blood redness of the landscape or the expat magazine in shinanoukville that listed the number(and quality)of whores in local brothels. The history was exceptional, and I was so pleased to see that there were more locals out at the temples on Sunday evening than tourists. The place is changing fast. You could see it everwhere we went. more so then China when i was there. But of course We were in sort of the touristy places. When we cajoled a tuk-tuk driver out of the 'safe' areas there was still only miles and miles of poverty on stilts. Red rutted veins of roads through tired looking fields. The rainy season had started, but just. The roads were still dust.
Overpaid the tuk-tuk driver we had in siam riep by as much as we could. 40 with 5 kids, had spent 10 years in a camp on the thai border, his family from were the khmer rouge had(and still have in some (now christian) places) thier stronghold. Came back in 93 but there was still a guerilla war for years after he got back, telling his story with the far away eyes and clenched upper body of someone who had seen too much, flipping from that story to "Pee, pee, pee. No problem. No mines here" with releif. I'm still not sure which side his sympathies laid. I got the feeling that foriengers were his only outlet for his story.
Sitting in shianoukville on the beach with a crowd of cambodian girls and boys around Jiao Yen, through doing thier pitch and just so happy to have someone talk to them and hear their stories, call them handsome and beautiful and laugh with them. Getting the tearfully hardest of hard sells from two little girls at a temple river way out in the bush and bargining our way into an overpriced scarf, then sitting down to lunch with the same girls at the next table playing cards with their uncle, laughing and as innocent and carefree as any 8 year old in any of my classes, except for the bundle of scarfs on the table next to them, and we all smiled at each other and went about our business, the game having run it's course.
There is alot more to write about. And maybe i will. But I can't shake the last image I got of cambodia, on the way to the airport in pheom penh, having seen them all over the country and known enough to steer clear and ignore, feeling like i had nothing to lose at that point, I asked the taxi driver "those big Lexus SUVs that I see driving around all the time with the RCAF[Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, not the snowbirds] liscence plates, are they, um, what I think they are?" The drivers face clouded and he said, "We call them corruption cars. You see all the aid money we get, goes to corruption, and if you get the money you buy one of those." "And they are army....are they dangerous?" "Very" he said as the dark green sparkling Lexus with the muderously emasculated looking driver turned into the frantically stopping and turning tuktuks without looking. |
|
|
| Alive and well |
[Jun. 6th, 2007|12:07 am] |
I think i may begin posting again. I've said that before, but I think i might. I like writing. I'm not writing. So, we'll see. Here is the rough cut of an article I wrote for the magazine.
As for my life, well it's busy. Going to Cambodia in a couple weeks. I'll write about that I hope. It's been a while since I've been challenged by travelling. I will be there. I've just kind of found it hard to write about my day to day life here. It's my home now. Nothing really surprises me anymore. But I will try to write some interesting things. It really is a strange place I live in. As for something to write about, how about the weather to start? The real rainy season finally started. My poor garden is under a couple feet of water, but that's ok. I got some veggies out of it before hand. I can feel the mould starting, but I think it will be a short one. I have a feeling there will be more than one typhoon this summer too. Man, I'm a little rusty....
Bridge 12
Everyone is familiar with the East Coast’s uniquely beautiful and abundant options for those who love the outdoors. Whether it is surfing at Jici, hiking at Hehuan Mountain, cycling the many country roads or trekking up one of the infinite number of river valleys along the central mountain range, the East Coast deserves its reputation as a diamond in Taiwan’s industrial rough. And thanks to a generous offer by a local B and B owner, we can now add cannyoning in the beautiful and overlooked coastal mountains to that impressive list.
Recently renovated bridge number 12 on highway 11 is a non event. Small and ordinary, it hides its secret well. About 20 km south from Hualien, about the only thing that makes it stand out is the (name) B and B nestled into the hillside beside it. At six years old, (Name) is the oldest B and B in Hualien and they sure picked a choice spot. (Maybe some more history) This is where a couple friends of mine, their dog and I met to start our promised walk into the heart of the coastal mountain range.
Stretching from Hualien to Taitung along the East Coast is the terribly neglected coastal mountain range. Gorgeous and almost deserted, this impressive range of mountains is all but ignored by most travelers to the East Coast, who prefer to explore the bigger central mountain range. But hidden in these unique coastal mountains are hundreds of rivers and valleys, almost untouched compared to the heavily trafficked Toroko or Tongmen river valleys.
Ms. (name), the small statured owner of the B and B, started our walk with a wave of her hand and a warm smile. She was wearing flip flops, a skirt and a handkerchief on her head. “Well, I don’t think this is going to be too exciting,” I murmured under my breath to a friend as Ms. (name) slapped her way across the highway to a well marked trail on the mountain side of the road. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Contrary to her appearance, Ms. (name) proved to be both tougher, and more good natured, than her dubious hiking partners. Before we even got started on the river she was promptly knocked down flat by my friend’s comically excited and young apartment dog, who took both her legs out with a lanky, poorly judged lunge towards the river. As we all apologized profusely she simply laughed and started hopping from rock to rock in the river bed, pointing out interesting plants and animals, leaving us TEVA and expensive hiking booted younger folks in her dust.
The hike itself is a two part affair. The first half is a very easy walk up a beautiful but ordinary small river. The trail is well marked by painted white Xs on the rocks, and the easiness of the trail lends itself to conversation and exploration of the varied and beautiful wildlife along the way. Ms. (name) was kind enough to show us the highlights. From edible plants to gorgeous (and huge) spiders and frogs, every turn in the river seemed to present a new shout of “Wahhh! Come look at this!”
After about 30 minutes of easy walking the river abruptly splits in two, and the harder and much more interesting part of the hike begins. Thankfully very well marked by a large arrow pointing left, we continued on our way to the left, under a large, imposing, gate-like tree that had fallen over the river. Emerging on the other side, we were struck by the night and day change in the river and landscape. Suddenly surrounded by steep cliffs on both sides, the hike took on a completely different character. Slightly awed, we kept on up into the canyon, still following our intrepid guide, who had just been joined by a 12 year old traveling companion. Also, slightly embarrassingly for us, in flip flops.
As we followed the river up the ever tightening canyon, the flora and fauna changed as well. We were treated to sections of narrow river coated in wonderfully smelling bright colored flowers that had fallen off trees overhanging the vertical walls of the canyon, 20m above us. The river became full of fish and fresh water shrimp, and it was littered with the amazingly soap-like berries of the (name) tree. Our eyes getting wider and wider, we kept snaking through the beautiful canyon that was getting more impressive and narrower with each turn in the river.
The rock was changing as well. In perhaps the most beautiful section of the river, the walls turned volcanic jet black and were studded by round smooth rocks sticking out of the walls. As we walked through this breathtaking scenery the walls of the canyon became so narrow that is was impossible to stand and spin in a circle with even our elbows out; the canyon was only about a meter wide. It gave the impression that we were walking through some sort of strange, frozen mountain of volcanic tapioca.
This section of the river has too many highlights to name, but perhaps the most striking was a massive ancient tree that had fallen into the canyon and wedged itself at the head of a particularly beautiful stretch of canyon. With a rope attached to a root, we had to climb up the tree to keep going up the river.
After an hour of this climb we came to a section of the canyon that was too deep to walk through. We had to swim. With promises of a waterfall up ahead, we left our shirts and change behind and kept on up the river. Soon after that, we came to a natural amphitheater in the mountain, complete with a choice of three separate branches of river making it seem like a massive chicken had laid its footprint on the mountain. The middle branch took us to a beautiful waterfall and pool, a fitting climax to an already rewarding hike.
If you want to go
The hike is around a 5 hour round trip from Hualien and the higher stretches can be a little difficult. As with all hikes into the mountains watch the weather carefully, as the canyon is quite narrow there is a slight danger of flash flooding in a large thunderstorm. Bring a snack and plenty of water and enjoy. It’s a great one. |
|
|
| Only for those of you over 18 please |
[Apr. 7th, 2007|09:46 pm] |
I have been busy. Very busy. Busier than i have ever been busy. My parents are here, I moved into a new apartment and I have helped build a burlesque show from the ground up. We played at spring scream( www.springscream.com ), the premier expat music festival in taiwan, the other night to a crowd of around 400. I got a chair thrown at me. I "saved" a couple people. It was a success beyond our wildest dreams.
This is our website. It is only for those of you reading this who are over 18 and don't mind having a good laugh at my expense.
www.myspace.com/lustslutsburlesque
My dear. Now I can add burlesque star to my already long and eclectic resume. |
|
|
| 228 peace memorial holiday |
[Feb. 28th, 2007|05:57 pm] |
I remeber teaching a 70 year old man who was alive for the massacres. He looked around before he whispered his expirence of it to me. FOr a large part of taiwan it is still a taboo, but it is now coming out, being dealt with. It is the basis for the DPP, the Kumingtang's main opposition, even though before the turn of the century it was never mentioned publicaly. This is such a new democracy.
Plus I didn't have to work today....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6400879.stm |
|
|
| My birthday |
[Feb. 25th, 2007|09:10 pm] |
I really do hate my birthday. It is february, there is nothing to do, no one wants to have a party, and something bad usually happens. Plus, I dont remember why the hell I have to celebrate the day anyway. I've got to take my mom's word for it. Today, however, has been pretty good.
I just looked over the other messages in this thing from my birthdays the last two years. I have been doing this for a while. Interesting snapshots of my life. My life now is about to head into a new phase. A start finally.
Today i moved into my new house. I phoned a couple buddies and we borrowed the pickup and moved my copious amounts of green garbage bags. This place is a step up. I have been living in a wonderful place, but it is small, and hot, and not mine. I have just moved into a 2 floor apartment with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a nice kitchen. I am happy. It is great. I am going to set up the bottom floor for a classroom of somesort.
I have a great job I love, and busyinagoodway life and lots to be thankful for. I just got back from a visit to a monastary, a true one, with a 3:30 wake up call, no food after 12pm and three daily chanting sessions. It was so useful. Had a week off and did the full trip around the island by train and bus. WOnderful. I truely do love it here. And my parents are coming for a visit shortly. I can't wait to show them around.
I really have to come up with some things to write about. I have so many, but they are common place now. The singing garbage trucks, smelly tofu and crazy characters of which i am now one. In my new place I will have more time. I will try.
So for the birthday checkin, I can say only good things. Happy birthday to me. |
|
|
| A Package of Love |
[Jan. 28th, 2007|03:55 pm] |
A couple days ago I got a long awaited package from home. Sent November 20th, it has been a constant source of distress for my mother who sent it, and for me who wanted it. I have it now, and am now eating some wonderful 3 month old, yet still moist and chewy, homebaked ginger cookies. Don't worry I ate some the other day and I am still alive. The ship must have been cold.
But in the 'package of love' were some cookies, canadian chocolate bars, red maple leaves in wax paper, some t shirts of which I have worn already and an american foot ball. I specially requested the football. Last week I taught one of my classes the ins and outs of american football. I taught them 'the line of scrimmage' 'offense' 'defense' and 'hunt'. Then we went out and played in the park by the school by the river. It was great. The kids loved it. next time I will add more rules I think, I was the only quaarterback with a 10 down field. Next time i might do interseptions and the like. I think I got some interesting pictures.
I bought a new camera the other day and I have been giving my old one to the kids to take pictures. I say take as many pictures as you want of anything you want, just don't disturb the class. One kid a day. It is amazing what i see in those pictures, it is the way the kids see the class. The 'I just drank five boxes of milk tea' kids take a thousand pictures of everything except their work, the kids who work hard take pictures of thier homework. The kids with no friends take pictures of the wall, the kids with lots of friends try to take embarrassing pictures of thier rivals. I will post some when i get them. I could make a book of them.
I can now be reached on a real phone.
011 886 09 89512380
Please keep in mind that there is an 11 hour time difference. |
|
|
| Same Old Same Old |
[Jan. 21st, 2007|11:52 pm] |
As much as that can happen in a foriegn land. I still take my life into my hands each time I get on my bike, but it is commonplace now. Went to the hot springs yesterday. The weather has been too bad to go into the mountains. What else is there? I think this week I will post more. It is the all-star break and I will have some free time away from my hockey pool(of which I am winning handily). I will try and think of some things to write.
I am going to buy a cell phone tommorrow. And i am going to sign a two year contract. I've never signed a two year contract for anything in my life. I must like it here. |
|
|
| navigation |
| [ |
viewing |
| |
most recent entries |
] |
| [ |
go |
| |
earlier |
] |
| |
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=91.7){kind=small}
mattinchina's journal
