Vol. 19 07 - Taipei Community Services Center · 2019-03-29 · Vol. 19 | 07 Apr 19 cover.indd 1 2019/3/25 下午10:19. ... with Jennifer on April 16th, explores a little-known area

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Centeredon TAIPEI APR

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3www.communitycenter.org.tw APRIL 2019

COMMUNITYActon School 8TEPC's Our Island Photography Competition 10 Celebrating Spring and the Chinese Floral Arts Foundation’s Traditional Flower Arrangement Exhibition 13

WRITER'S CORNERThe Cruellest Month 16

PHOTO GALLERYAndrea Toerien 18Virginia Lee 19

HEALTHHow Can I Get Myself To Exercise? 20

THE MUSIC SCENEWe Jammin’ 22

TRAVELAddis Ababa 24Yuanliu Old Trail 29

CSC From the Editors 5Center Gallery 6Activity Highlights 7Book Clubs: April 7 CSC Business Classified inside back cover

C O N T E N T SApril 2019 volume 19 issue 7

Centered on Taipei is a publication of the Community Services Center, 25, Lane 290, Zhongshan N. Rd., Sec. 6, Tianmu, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 02-2836-8134fax: 02-2835-2530e-mail: [email protected]

Correspondence may be sent to the editor at [email protected]. Freelance writers, photographers and illustrators are welcome to contact the editor to discuss editorial and graphic assignments. Your talent will find a home with us!

Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner.

Community Services Center, TaipeiSuzan BabcockRichard SaundersNaomi [email protected]

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COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER

Adam McMillan

Grace Ting

I-wen Chan, Katherine Chang, Hui-shiang Chao, Jung Chin, Chiao-Feng Chung, Cerita Hsu, Carol Lee, Miranda Lin, Emilie Ma, Kuang-Shan Wan

Wendy Evans and Michael Mullahy

Joanne Chua

Monica ChengRosemary SusaBunny PachecoJohn ImbrogulioMorgan LoosliGloria GwoSamson Debele

Miyuki Boice, Riley Carbonneau, Judith Chou, John Imbrogulio, Leslie McFarlane, John McQuadeSofia Vintimila

Bai Win AntiquesEuropean Chamber of CommerceGrand Hyatt Taipei

Concordia ConsultingICRTSan Fu Global

Director

Office Manager

Counselors

Consultants

Counseling Admin.

Accountant Programs ManagerPrograms AssistantCoffee Mornings Coordinator Communicationsr Mandarin Chinese TeacherSystems Manager

Volunteers

Benefactors

Premier Sponsors

The Community Services Center (CSC) is a non-profit foundation. CSC provides outreach and early intervention through counseling, cross-cultural education and life skills programs to meet the needs of the international community in Taipei. CSC offers the opportunity to learn, volunteer, teach and meet others. Check out our website www.communitycenter.org.tw and drop by The Center to chat with us about our programs. You can also email us at [email protected].

COT TEAM

Feature Writers

WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS

Acton TaipeiSue BabcockHelen DaviesKenneth DicksonWendy EvansCraig FergusonJim KlarVirginia LeeJoseph Reilly

Lloyd Roberts IIIRichard SaundersRosemary SusaTaipei Chinese Floral Arts FoundationTEPC Grace TingAndrea ToerienJudy Tsuei

Spring is an especially great time of year to be in Taipei: the winter is over, the Big Heat of summer is still several months away, and there’s lots going on around the city. Want some ideas? In this issue of Centered on Taipei, we highlight just a few of the many ways you can spend your leisure time this month.

April is a great time to get out and capture some photos of the city to show family members back home. At the same time, why not consider entering the first ever Taiwan Exchange Photograph Club (TEPC) Photography Competition. Kenneth Dickson has the details on page 10.

Outside the city center, the flower-filled fields of Jhuzihu on the southern slopes of Yangmingshan are also a great place to find inspiration to snap a few great shots. For hikers, Taipei’s own National Park is a superb place for photography. In this month’s instalment of Off the Beaten Track, we profile a rarely-visited old farmers’ trail that climbs the northern slopes of Yangmingshan’s volcanic slopes, following in the footsteps of charcoal burners, indigo harvesters and bamboo shoot-pickers.

Hiking is a fun way to exercise without noticing you’re working out, but if even a country walk seems a bit of a struggle after a long week at work or looking after the kids, Wendy Evans is here to help with suggestions on ways to exercise without working yourself up into a sweat.

A great way to get in some exercise (and make new friends at the same time) is to take part in an organized hike. The Center’s resident hikers, Dory and Jennifer, know the hills around Taipei better than most, so consider joining them and explore Taipei’s magnificent countryside. The next Center hike, with Jennifer on April 16th, explores a little-known area of the ever popular Elephant Mountain, near Taipei 101.

So whatever you do, and wherever you go this month, enjoy the glorious Taipei spring!

Pick COT up at:Uptown: Community Services Center, No. 25, Lane 290, Sec. 6, Zhongshan North Rd.Sprout – No. 33, Sec. 7, Zhongshan North Rd.George Pai’s Beauty – No. 14, Tienmu East Rd.Downtown:Ooh Cha Cha – 207, Sec.2, Nanchang Rd.

Please send email submissions, comments, and feedback to [email protected].

Sue and Richard

COVER IMAGE: by Craig Ferguson

For more information, please go to our website atwww.communitycenter.org.tw

Suzan BabcockEditor

[email protected]

KCGraphic Designergraphicdesigntaipei.

weebly.com

Richard SaundersCo-editor

[email protected]

Naomi KalyAdvertising Manager

[email protected]

Jim Klar

Kenneth DicksonWendy Evans

Lloyd Roberts III

Richard Saunders

Judy Tsuei

FROM THE

EDITORS



FAMILY | 4/14 SundayTeaching Children Critical Thinking Through Architecture 10:30 AM~12:00 PM (LS)PERFORMANCE | 4/27 SaturdayFormosa Improv Group (FIG) Performance (FIG)7:30 PM~10:00 PM (LS)SPOKEN WORD | 4/20 SaturdayStage Time & Wine. An intimate open mic event7:00 PM~10:00 PM (LS)MUSIC | 4/26 Friday Kind of Red XXV - Social music7:30 PM~10:00 PM (LS)VISUAL ARTS | 4/21 SundayVD 29 - Sunflowers in the Street: Protest Photographs from Taiwan4:00 PM~10:00 PM (G)WELLNESS4/6 Saturday Meditation & Music4:00 PM~5:30 PM (LS)4/13 Saturday Didgeridoo Sound Bath & Meditation4:00 PM~5:30 PM (LS)4/21 Sunday Body & Soul: Dance on Singing Bowls’ Harmonics 4:30 PM~6:00 PM (LS)MULTIMEDIA | 4/14 SaturdayFilmmaker Night5:30:00 PM~9:30 PM (G)

Programs may be subject to change. Please check our website or Facebook for updates. redroomtaipei.com

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A percentage of all proceeds of items sold at the Gallery will go to the Center. Please remember that by displaying your items or shopping at the Gallery, you will be helping the Center to continue to provide valuable services to the international community.

APRIL 2019 GALLERY

AN EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY CHARLES HAINES AND DAVID LLOYD

HAUTE COUTURE HANDBAGS BY EMMY LE SAOÛT AND L'ATELIER DES BETISES

KP KITCHEN TAIWAN (凱焙廚房)

ELIZABETH LAM'S POSTCARDS COLLECTION

"TAIWAN IMAGE" PRINTS AND GREETING CARDS FROM KRISTI THORNBURY OF YILI ARTS

The Community Services Center is pleased to have on loan from Bai Win Antiques an exhibition of beautiful paintings by artists Charles Haines and David Lloyd.

KP Kitchen Taiwan is back in Tianmu with our tasty DIY Micro Mix: a single serving vegan microwave cake mix. Now available in classic vanilla and rich chocolate flavors, with a hot

new flavor out last month. Our mixes are made fresh in Taiwan and come with with simple English/Chinese instructions. Follow us on Facebook KP Kitchen Taiwan 凱焙廚房’ (www.fb.com/KPKitchenTaiwan) for more information.

Raise awareness, while helping to save Taiwan's endangered endemic species. Buy one, or a set of five, of these beautifully i l lustrated postcards, hand-drawn by Elizabeth Lam and printed on recycled cotton paper.

A friendship between two passionate French women has resulted in the creation of these handbags reinterpreting Taiwanese tradition with a touch of French sophist icat ion. The varied pieces in the collection are all handcrafted by the hands of a seasoned haute couture seamstress.

Kristi's watercolor painting of Taiwan shows the counties and surrounding islands and captures the essence of Taiwan. Since the inspiration for the painting came from Taiwan, Kristi wants to give something back every time a print or greeting card is sold with the Taiwan image on it. She is

donating 20% of the proceeds to a Taiwan charitable organization. As a keepsake or gift, the Taiwan print and greeting cards are a special way to remember this beautiful island.

JOB OPENING!!We are looking for a creative, highly organized person to manage and coordinate our events. You will have full artistic license to put your own personal mark on our auction, spring event, and golf tournament. Events are an important fundraising tool here at the Center and a key part of our everyday operation.

Interested applicants please send a cover letter and resume to Adam McMillan at [email protected]



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APRIL ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTSShi Dong Market Tour, or “What Is That Vegetable, and How Do I Cook It?”Wednesday, April 10; 9 am – 11:30 amInstructor: Ivy ChenNT$600Bright, colorful and noisy, the Shi Dong Market is the place for all your produce needs. Join Ivy and learn some helpful hints and tips on what to buy, where to buy it, and how to be sure it's fresh. Ivy will also show you how to select fresh fish, seafood and other items of interest. Time permitting, this informative tour may include stops at various smaller area markets. If you missed this tour last fall, here is your chance to join one the Center’s most popular tours.

Hiking the Baoshan Trail to Elephant Mountain Tuesday, April 16; 9 am – 1 pm Instructor: Jennifer TurekNT$800This moderately strenuous hike begins at Yongchun MRT Station, and takes us up to the top of Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) for some stunning views of Taipei city below. Led by Jennifer, the first part of the trip is easy and offers some very nice scenery of flowers, streams and rock cliffs. But that is just our warm-up. Starting from the Baoshan trailhead (about twenty minutes’ walk from the MRT), we will climb some stairs and work our way up until we reach Tianbao Temple. At the temple we

will be able to see a huge statue carved into the cliff side. Then, we will climb steep stone steps to the top of Elephant Mountain, catch our breath and enjoy a panoramic view of Taipei 101. We will then make our descent down some very steep steps and walk to Xiangshan MRT station. Sturdy shoes with a good grip are essential. A hiking pole may help with the steps. Bring water, snacks and sun/rain protection.

Very Vietnamese: Fried Spring Rolls Friday April 26; 10 am – 12 noon Instructor: Khanh PhanNT$1,200Join Khanh for a fun, hands-on class and learn how to prepare Vietnamese-style fried spring rolls served with a tasty dipping sauce. She will demonstrate a traditional Hanoi recipe that includes minced pork, carrots, mushrooms, green onion, glass noodles and eggs. There is a vegetarian option for those who avoid eating meat — still crispy and delicious! For those with a sweet tooth, don’t despair: Khanh will also prepare a tasty sweet corn and coconut milk dessert!

Bai Win Antiques Warehouse and Stone Cutters of Bali TourSaturday April 27; 10 am – 3 pm Instructor: Faye AngevineNT$800Join Faye, an old Taiwan hand and businesswoman, for a behind-the-scenes tour of the

Bai Win Antiques warehouse, where the real work of selecting, repairing, preparing and selling of antiques occurs. This is your chance to learn a lot about antiques, how to spot a reproduction versus a reconstructed piece, and what the difference is. In addition to the warehouse, we will also stop at a nearby stonecutter’s showroom to see where they create beautiful stone entryway guardians and dragons. Maybe you will find a pair that you will want to take home with you! Bring a packed lunch or choose to have an optional biàn dāng (lunchbox). We will picnic at the warehouse.

Cracking the Code: An Introductory Tour of the National Palace Museum Tuesday April 30; 10 am – 12 noon Instructor: Bridget Chi$900 Have you ever felt daunted by the thought of spending a day at the National Palace Museum? Do you find the myriad of objects and the crowds at the museum bewildering? Join Bridget, who has a background in art history and is keen to share her passion, to unravel the mysteries of the NPM and help you to become an "old hand" when guests come into town asking for a tour. This will be an interactive visit to view some of the quintessential objects that define the museum. Bridget will also set the objects in their historical context, delve

into the hidden symbolism of Chinese art objects, and share some fun trivia about the NPM’s collections. Cost of museum admission and headsets included.

Tantalizing Thai II Friday, May 3; 10 am – 12 noon Instructor: Tanya LockhartNT$1,200Join Tanya for a tantalizing Thai cooking class to learn how to make everyone's favorite pad thai with shrimp, plus three Northeastern Thai specialties: papaya salad (som tam); spicy pork salad (larb moo); and sticky rice. In combination, these dishes come together nicely to create a tasty meal.

Do you have a skill or talent that you would like to share? Or have you found some great places around Taipei that you would like to take others to see? Then why not consider teaching a course or leading a tour for the Center in Fall 2019? If you are interested, or would like more information, please contact Rosemary at [email protected].

THE CENTERNEEDS YOU!

MORNING BOOK CLUB

EVENINGBOOK CLUB

For Morning Book Club meeting dates, times & location, contact Julie Hu at: [email protected]

For Evening Book Club meeting dates, times & location, contact Lauren at: [email protected]

I'm a Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson

The Ethical Slut (2017 edition) by Hardy and Easton



“ I f someone had told me two years ago that I would be starting a s c h o o l f o r m y d a u g h t e r, Madeleine, I would have laughed

at the idea,” recal ls Jenny (S i-Yi) Wang, founder of Acton Academy Taipei. “Madeleine was thriving at her international school, making friends and coming home smiling every day. I felt assured that her education was in good hands. Then, one day, Madeleine came home and said, ‘Mom, I’m stupid. I can’t read like the other kids.’”

Jenny immediately began looking into why this might be happening. Madeliene was already receiving extra learning support four times a week, yet there was little to show for it. She hadn’t moved up a single reading level since the beginning of the year. It was then that the teacher mentioned that Madeleine might have dyslexia. Jenny soon brought her daughter to the States to get a detailed assessment with neuroscientists, and found out her daughter did indeed have a learning difference.

BIG-PICTURE THINKERS“There’s a misperception that kids

with dyslexia see things in reverse, or that their IQ is lower, but it’s more complicated than that,” Jenny shares. “In fact, dyslexic learners do incredibly well with hands-on, real-world projects, because they’re big-picture thinkers.”

Jenny also quickly learned that years of research had demonstrated that, by getting the right instruction, dyslexic students can function incredibly well — otherwise, there can be a high rate of suicide, as the misunderstood learning difference devolves into a downward spiral, where students lose confidence, don’t graduate from high school, can’t get the right jobs, and so on.

Init ia l ly, Jenny thought that by enro l l ing her f i ve-year-o ld in an international school, the "play-based" curriculum would shield her daughter from unhealthy comparisons and keep her daughter’s innate curiosity intact. Unfortunately, she was experiencing the exact oppos i te. Rather than nurturing her daughter’s interests

and talents, the international school was instead focusing on grade-level standards and creating an atmosphere where her daughter was ready to give up before her sixth birthday.

“I scrambled to find an alternative,” Jenny adds. “I had an intuitive idea that whatever was next for my daughter had to be truly personal ized and student-led.”

Jenny began to search for the best, most progressive, state-of-the-art educational model available. She spent more than a year doing research and, during that time, Acton Academy came up again and again.

REVOLUTIONARY EDUCATIONFounded in Austin, Texas, Acton

Academy was a revolutionary style of education that was turning learning upside-down, so that students became the teachers in a Socratic style of l e a r n i n g t h at wa s p rov i n g to b e incredibly successful for students of all learning types and abilities. Rather than a traditional school schedule, Acton Academies can condense academic learnings, thanks to the efficiencies of online programs, which the students self-direct, so the afternoon is open to meaningful work for each individual student.

“Acton was interesting to me because it had figured out an open secret — so much of what is learned in school can

COMMUNITY

Acton TaipeiTEXT: JUDY TSUEI IMAGES: ACTON TAIPEI, WEB



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be taught better and more efficiently u s i n g o n l i n e r e s o u r c e s ,” J e n n y observed.

To be clear, students are not on screens for eight hours a day. Instead, the onl ine educat ional tools are des igned to be ways to be more proficient in learning. Technology is not the end goal; it’s a tool. Everything Acton uses is chosen carefully.

K h a n A c a d e m y, f o r e x a m p l e , teaches the exact same math skills covered in conventional math lessons at schools, but it can do it faster and more comprehensively. How? Khan’s adaptive questions pinpoint where students are getting stuck and adjust accordingly, by giving more practice problems or suggesting students watch certain video lectures again.

Students don’t need to move on to the next topic until they’ve mastered the current topic, just to keep up with the rest of the class. The content is personalized to each student. Instead of someone telling the student “do this,” the curriculum is adaptive to the needs of each student, so everyone feels a profound ownership of their work.

REAL-WORLD PROJECTSWhat Jenny loved the most was that

the online learning component enabled teachers to focus on aspects of each student that couldn’t be quantified by standardized testing: traits such as compassion, grit, and perseverance. Students also had time to dive into real-world, hands-on projects, from writing plays and starting businesses t o p l a n t i n g c o m m u n i t y ga rd e n s and building their own playground equipment.

U l t i m ate l y, t h e A c to n s t y l e o f teaching nurtures lifelong learners by creating a foundation where each student can teach themselves anything for their entire lives. Students are constantly updating themselves, an essential skill for thriving in our modern world. Every child is viewed as a genius on a hero’s journey, where they pursue their individualized purpose.

All of it sounded so beautiful in theory, but would it actually work on Madeleine? Jenny wondered to herself.

She tried an experiment where she signed Madeleine up for an online phonics program to see if it would help with her reading. Less than four

weeks later, Madeleine moved up a reading level. A few weeks after that, Madeleine proceeded to blow her teacher away by whizzing through another five reading levels before the end of the school year. Her amazed teacher exclaimed, “I have never seen a student move that fast through reading levels!”

Madeleine stopped making self-defeating comments and regained her natural eagerness to learn. “I knew then that Acton Academy was what I wanted full-time for my daughter.”

A HERO’S JOURNEYJenny soon founded Acton Academy

Taipei up in the gorgeous mountains of Yangmingshan, near Beitou. Now, in its first year, the school is focused on nurturing students on their own hero’s journey to gain the skills needed for 21st century success.

“I spent a lot of my youth wondering, ‘What should I be doing?’” Jenny remembers. “At Acton, these children think about these questions at six years of age. There are graduates of homeschooling for example, who at 18 years of age, have opened four profitable ski schools in Japan. Acton brings out kids like that. It’s not about, ‘What did you score on the SAT?’”

Self-actualization starts at an early age. Core skills are personalized and adapted efficiently — teachers never have to teach to the middle. Instead, kids can zoom ahead and be self-motivated. It’s helpful for parents to be patient and open-minded, since one year of traditional school usually takes a month of Acton to “unschool.” Acton even takes the whole family into account, so parents always know what’s going on and how to spend intentional time with their children.

U n l i k e o t h e r h o m e s c h o o l i n g alternatives, Acton Academy is designed for each campus to be d i fferent, because they bel ieve in pos i t ive deviance. In fact, the main Acton campus in Austin, Texas, continually emphasizes it does not want carbon copies all around the world, especially because each culture has so much unique richness to offer.

In Taiwan, for example, there’s an opportunity for students to learn Mandarin, a growing need as both business and digital nomadism create

world c lassrooms for individuals, families, and entrepreneurs.

M o s t i m p o r t a n t l y, t h e m a i n Acton Academy campus bel ieves t h at w h ateve r a ny o f t h e A c to n schools around the world are doing now should be obsolete in two to three years, so that every school is constantly experimenting on best practices. There’s a deep and profound understanding that because the world is constantly changing, what students need today also continues to evolve, and to serve our children best, we need to be at the forefront of that change.

Ideas are valuable, and Acton pro-duces kids who think for themselves.

Acton Academy Taipei is accepting applications for students grades 1-5 for the new academic year in September 2019. You can visit www.actontaipei.org to schedule a school tour or learn more. If your child has been newly diagnosed with dyslexia, the book Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz is a great resource. Jenny Wang, the founder of Acton Academy Taipei, is also happy to speak with any families who want to know about getting their child assessed, or which programs are available for dyslexic students. Simply connect with her at [email protected].

Judy Tsuei is a travel writer, life coach and mama who empowers women to heal and thrive by helping them to rewrite their personal stories into beautiful journeys of heroines. Judy can be reached at: www.wildheartedwords.com



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A pril 2019 brings the first ever Taiwan Exchange Photograph C l u b (T E P C) P h o to g ra p h Competition. The theme of

the competition is "Our Island" and it’s being held as part of the fourth TEPC exhibition, also called "Our Island." So grab your camera or mobile phone, take your best shots, and submit them to the competition!

TEPC'S OUR ISLAND EXHIBITIONFor this exhibition, the photographers

at TEPC have joined forces to support Father Yves Moal, who has dedicated his life to the service of the people in Yuli, a town in southern Hualien County, near Taiwan’s eastern coast. The St. Andrews' Center in Yuli supports the livelihood of many people who face challenges in their daily l ives due to age, personal issues, illness or unfortunate circumstances.

The exhibition will be held from May 11th to May 23rd at Jazz Image in Taipei, and will exhibit works from

21 participating photographers. The exhibition will raise funds from the sale of prints, sponsorship, and the lucky draw event. All proceeds and donations for this exhibition will go to support the essential, life-saving work of Father Moal's organization in Yuli.

The group decided to open the exhibition to more participants by creating a photography competition with free entry and appropriate prizes sponsored by CyberLink Corporation, publisher of photographic and video editing software, PhotoDirector and PowerDirector.

OUR ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

TEPC's guiding philosophy is that photography is part of a larger social interaction, and that photographers must be engaged in the community. Holding the competition and sharing photographers' work is the way that TEPC highlights social issues. So any submission should be relevant to the theme and this guiding philosophy.

The competition is open for entries through to 1 am on May 12th (Taipei time). There is no fee for entry, though the maximum number of entries is ten per person. Content is open, but nudity and politics are not accepted.

T h e re a re t h re e c ate g o r i e s o f entries: Open Category welcomes photographs regardless of device, and requires upload via the TEPC website; Mobile Category is open to all mobile phones/pads, and entries are uploaded to Instagram with the hashtag #tepcphotocomp; and the Photowalk Category will accept entries for those participating in the TEPC Exhibition Photowalk from May 12th.

To p a r t i c i p a t e, v i s i t t h e T E P C Photograph Competit ion page at http://www.tepc.club/tepc-photo-competition/ for entry forms, ful l details, and upload information. There is also information about the prizes, submission guidelines, deadlines, and more about the exhibition.

Patr ice Delmotte, founder and organizer of TEPC, was once asked: "What was your best photograph?" He, of course, humbly replied: "The one which I haven't taken yet!" So, if you'd like to discover which is your best photograph, get out your camera and submit your best shots!

TEPC's Our Island Photography Competition

TEXT: KENNETH DICKSON IMAGES: TEPC



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T E P C TAIWAN EXCHANGE PHOTO CLUB

A monthly meeting of photographers in Taipei, founded by Patrice Delmotte, that discusses a selection of photographs submitted by participants. It welcomes constructive criticism and advice on technique as well as art. Every two years, the group organizes an exhibition of the photographers' works to raise money for deserving charities and causes in Taiwan.

To find out more, join the group atFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TEPCpatrice/

OUR ISLAND EXHIBITION

OUR ISLAND Exhib i t ion i s a char i ty photo exhibition.All profits will be used to support the work of the organization in Yuli.

The exhibition will run from May 11th to May 23rd, 2019 at Jazz Image Gallery, 2F, 431 Bade Road, Section 2, Taipei City. Various activities are planned during the event. To find out the latest news, check out the exhibition website.

TEPC Website: http://www.tepc.clubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Our.Island.Exhibition/



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OUR ISLAND PHOTOWALK

For photographers interested in capturing a slice of daily life, TEPC is planning a Photowalk on May 12th to celebrate the exhibition. Full details on the walk and how to participate will be published on the TEPC website in April.

FATHER MOAL

Father Yves Moal has worked as a missionary for the people of Yuli in southern Taiwan for over forty years. He was recently rewarded for his dedication and service with the Presidential Culture Award. He still serves his parish and residents in Yuli to this day.

Connect with St. Andrew community viaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/anders/Website: http://www.hlandrew.bexweb.tw/

Kenneth Dickson has been living and working in Taiwan for a while now. T hough Taipei is warm in the summer, he enjoys Tamsui for its cooler evenings, warm evening golden hours, and a gentler pace of life. He's been a regular part of TEPC for over two years now. It's a great way to share photography with like-minded individuals.



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T aipei has enthusiast ica l ly given rave reviews to Mother Nature’s current production of Spring. Throughout the city,

countless flowers (among them azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and cherry blossom) are delighting visitors as they stroll along city streets, through neighborhood parks, or along the banks of the Tamsui River.

THE CHINESE FLORAL ARTS FOUNDATION’S 2019 EXHIBITION

Each spring, the prestigious Taipei-based Chinese Floral Arts Foundation (CFAF) hosts a Flower Arrangement Exhibition at Taipei Zhongshan Hall.

The Chinese Floral Arts Foundation was founded by Professor Huang Yung-Chung and has been promoting the art of Chinese flower arrangement for more than thirty years. Professor H u a n g’s p ro fo u n d k n ow l e d ge o f traditional flower arrangement and his academic contributions in the fields of history and art have earned him significant and well-deserved international recognition.

I n h i s wo r k, C l a s s i c a l C h i n e s e S e a s o n a l F l o w e r A r r a n g e m e n t , Professor Huang writes “…that in ancient times flower arrangement was closely related to the joys of life. The twenty-four solar terms and other national festivals served as the principle that organized the Chinese people’s cu l tura l l i fe.” Professor Huang’s preserved notes and observations are the basis for the Chinese Floral Arts Foundation’s 2019 theme, A Note on the Changing Seasons.

This year’s large-scale exhibition theme is divided into sections focusing on the daily and festive uses of flowers throughout the seasons: Spr ing:

TEXT: SUE BABCOCK IMAGES: TAIPEI CHINESE FLORAL ARTS FOUNDATION

Celebrating Spring and the Chinese Floral Arts Foundation’s Traditional Flower Arrangement Exhibition: A Note on the Changing Seasons



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Above: During summer, the ideal flowers are the water lily, lotus and bamboo. Top: The plum blossom during winter represents purity, selflessness and the ruling of royals.

Below: September is the harvest season. The chrysanthemum is the symbol flower of September, shown here with pine branches.

Enjoyment of All Flowers, Summer: Fragrance of a Cool Breeze, Fall: Clear Autumn Cosmetics, Winter: New and Chilly Sun and Literati: Home of a Roaming Heart.

ANCIENT TRADITIONSThe celebration and culture of flowers is an ancient custom.

As an art form, Chinese flower arranging began during the Northern and Southern dynasties(386 – 589). The literati painters of the Song dynasty (960 – 1279) sought to capture the natural and poetic essence of flowers. By the end of the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), flower art had become so popular that serious attention was given to the development of perfecting form, balance, and symbols of beauty.

The close association of flower arrangers with the plants they used allowed them to gain deeper understandings about life, art, philosophy and the importance of observing the cycles of harmony between man and nature. Rituals and the worship of ancestors, prayers for good fortune, marriage and children always included fresh flower arrangements using specific natural materials from each season.

THE CHANGE OF SEASONS REFLECTS THE FLOW OF TIME

Flower arrangements closely reflect the change of seasons

The Taipei Springtime Flower Festival includes the Yangmingshan Zhuzihu Calla Lily Festival, the Taipei Azalea Season, the Taipei Garden Mall’s hanging wisteria garden, the Taipei Rose Garden in Xinsheng Park, and Yangmingshan Kao’s Hydrangea Garden, Zhuzhihu


www.communitycenter.org.tw APRIL 2019 15

and the daily lives of people. In Taiwan, the celebration of spring and the New Year is seen as an auspicious time of the year; a time of giving, community and fellowship.

AUSPICIOUS FLOWERS OF SPRINGGolden yellow or purple chrysanthemums symbolize

wealth, longevity and prosperity. Orchids, in spite of their fragile appearance, are quite hardy. Their delicate-looking flowers and colors are associated with sophistication and elegance, indicating abundance. Jade and money plants are lucky financial symbols to have in any business or household, because of their green color and the money plant’s coin-shaped leaves. Lucky bamboo symbolizes specific forms of good luck, depending on the number of stalks on the plant. Two stalks represent love, and five symbolize wealth, while seven and ten stalks represent good health and perfection respectively. Sometimes, tiny red lucky ribbons are tied to the stalks of the bamboo to give it even more auspicious significance.

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT CONTAINERSThere are six basic types of containers used for

flower arrangements: the plate, vase, jar, bowl, bamboo cylinder, and basket. Each container represents an important symbol or cultural meaning. The plate was first introduced more than 2,000 years ago, and symbolizes the universe, the earth and a home for the wealthy. The vase, which is taller than other containers, was usually found in temples or monasteries, symbolizing mountains.

The use of jars first appeared during the ninth century. They were produced especially to hold peonies, due to their size. Because the regal peony was considered to be the king of flowers, specific tools were developed and used when working on an arrangement: golden scissors, a jade jar, a screen, a stand, clean fresh water, a painting, poems, wine and music.

Bowls initially appeared during the tenth century, and were perfect for creating an arrangement whose focal point was directly in the center of the bowl. Bamboo cylinders were easy to move, making them a favorite within the imperial court. Last but not least is the basket, whose woven vines, stems and stalks gave it a rustic look, which became popular with the literati.

The traditional flower and plant arrangement is a soulful art form, practiced for thousands of years, that developed based on the wisdom of Nature, an awareness of its cycles, and its relationship with humanity, cultures, significant special festivities and daily events.

Suzan Babcock is a long-time resident of Taiwan. During her stay here, she has managed four successful careers in education, cross-cultural relations and counseling, although being a mother has been her favorite.



S h e w a s s p r i n g t i m e person i f ied. The cherr y trees, larger than any you see in Europe, hung their

weeping boughs. She was standing at the door of the temple, wearing a pink layered dress and lacy bloomers. She clutched a tiny doll, wearing the exact same outfit. Her hair was jet black and arranged in two sleek plaits, shining in the April sunlight. Around her neck, she carried an expensive black camera with a long lens. She faced her tall, equally stylish companion, seemingly oblivious to those who observed; upright, zestful, confident in her strange outfit. The crowds drifted by, locked in a trance of wonder at the blossoms which emerged from branches and twigs, even the trunks of the ancient trees.

A n o b s e r v e r, a r r e s t e d b y t h e spectacle of a young woman in such a ridiculous dress, might lift their phone and widen the focus in order to get a close-up of her delicate face. Her features were perfectly symmetrical and her complex ion f lawless, as

translucent as the petals that were starting to pattern the ground. Her eyes were dark, perfect matches for her hair, and her eyebrows had no need of outlines as her youth leant grace to her doll-like features. Closer inspection, however, contradicted the impression of zest. A witness within earshot might have heard the pair in conversation:

‘Shall we go inside, Ikuko?’‘Oh Yumi, now that I am here, I really

don’t want to.’‘But I thought that is what we came

for.’ ‘Is it?’‘Well, what else has all this been for?

You’ve been planning it down to the last detail of your doll’s plaits for over a year.’

‘Have I?’‘Ikuko, what is wrong? Why have you

suddenly stopped facing reality?’‘What do you mean?’‘Look, give me the doll.’‘No! Why?’‘What do you mean, why? You know

why? We promised, didn’t we?’

‘Huh?’‘Look…oh no, don’t cry, please don’t

cry. It is such a beautiful day, and you look so wonderful, and the trees are at their most splendid. We are meant to be uplifted by this. We have got to try.’

‘I can’t do it, Yumi.’‘Yes, you can. Come on. We’ll go in

together.’Yumi took her fragile sister’s arm.

She took the small doll gently from her hands. She placed it before them at the centre of the temple and bowed to the gods. Then, she walked with Ikuko to a tree where they left the doll on the ground.

****

Ikuko sat upright in the small white room. She placed her hands on her knees, unaware of the soft lace of her pink dress and the fringe of filigree on the silky bloomers. She stared blankly ahead of her, occasionally blinking back moisture in her dark eyes. Her heart was a shard of ice. Her mind

WRITER’S CORNER

The Cruellest Month TEXT & IMAGES: HELEN DAVIES



WRITER’S CORNER

was distant, deep down in a well of suffocating misery.

Outside, a small bird made a delicate sound, and then fell silent. When she closed her smarting eyes, silhouettes of treacherous florets pulsed behind the lids. It had been an outing, but all of her sewing, preparation, invention, had come to nought. She was childless. Once she had not been. But now, and forever, she was childless. All of her hopes, she had finally laid to rest beneath the blossoms of springtime. An acrid loathing came into the back of her throat, and she thought of Yumi, and wondered why she drew no comfort from the stewardship of such a sister.

****

Yumi pulled into her small drive and got out of the neat blue car. She took her handbag from the seat and retrieved her house keys. Stepping into the hallway, she saw that the post had arrived and stooped to collect it, just as her phone rang. She tried to answer it,

but realised that the battery was very low and a conversation would not be possible.

- Call u back in 5, battery lowShe sent the text and placed

the post on the hall table, heading for the kitchen where she brewed some coffee. The k itchen was compact and tidy. Yumi did not have much time for cooking. She usually ordered meals from the local 7-Eleven and ate them quickly before going to work or just as she got home. She worked in a small French company where most of her fellow workers were local, and a few bosses came from France. They dealt with luxury imports for the high-end market. Yumi enjoyed the youthful energy of the place and her role in it.

She was a tall, model-like girl with long straight black hair, which she kept t ied back, just a few strands allowed to fall in chosen places. She wore little make-up and enjoyed the spare colours of Muji, muted, light blue with small stripes, Oxford shirts and long black skirts above black Converse shoes. Her life was under control and she knew it and savoured it, glad of the difference between her and Ikuko, the wayward sister who had become more and more difficult of recent times.

Ikuko was in hosp i ta l now. Yumi tried not to think of her, and their ageing parents, and young, reclusive “Hikikomori” brother. Growing up had been one long round of hard work. They had hardly seen their father, and now, as the most-able s ibl ing, Yumi was expected to look after her ageing parents. Ikuko’s illness and her brother’s dysfunction were added burdens. When her family penetrated her tidy existence, Yumi Mako felt a pang of shame and sadness, but mainly relief, that she didn’t have to deal with them more often. She looked at her phone. Nearly fully charged. She texted her friend:

- busy morning, temple beautiful this Hanami. Sakura wonderful. Uplifting. Ikuko fine. Meet at the mall? Eye on new handbag.

Yumi put down the phone, and burst into tears at the cruel beauty and spiteful sterility of springtime.

Helen Davies spent 36 y e a r s t e a c h i n g English Literature in 15 schools around the world. Now retired, she spends her time reading, writing, studying Chinese and exploring...mainly cafes!



PHOTO GALLERY Andrea Toerien



Yangminshang National Park Virginia Lee



HEALTH

How Can I Get Myself To

Exercise?

W e often hear that we should exercise because of its long-term health benefits. It results in

a reduced chance of getting cancer, cardiovascular disease… the list drones on. However, the urgent things in life, such as family needs, work, time needed to recover from work etc, cause us to delay exercising (dare I say it?) again and again. We think of an instance of exercise as depositing one more penny into the cavernous piggy bank of health that we hope will eventually contain enough deposits to sustain us through old age. The reward seems distant, hypothetical, and perhaps unattainable, while the hard-earned contribution seems so minuscule.

GET ME THE REMOTE, WILL YOU? Another barrier to exercising is our

sense that exercise must be long in duration and unpleasant in intensity in order to contribute to our overall health. We hear adages like “Thirty minutes of intense exercise, three times

a week” will increase this or lower that. We are told that our heart rate needs to spend so many minutes in the fat-burning zone in order to “count” as exercise. We are left feeling that each measly penny of health is earned through miserable toil.

I bring you good news! First, doing act iv it ies and chal lenges that we already enjoy counts as exercise. Second, benefits come when we do these things we like to a degree that we enjoy. Taking these small steps will bring us a reward today. If we like the exercise we’re engaging in we’re more likely to continue doing it. If we exercise to a degree or duration that feels unpleasant, we usually end up doing nothing instead of something.

WHAT COUNTS AS EXERCISE?Previous research into exercise

and health led to recommendations about how many t imes a week i t should be done (three is a popular number), about its duration (thirty minutes, anyone?), and intensity (think “aerobic”, “fat-burning”...). For those

of us who are starting at or near zero in each of those categories, it seems like we need to turn ourselves into something we are not before we can benefit from exercise. However, a brief reflection on the reporting of research results shows us that a quantum jump in activity level is not required.

Reports and art ic les about the benefits of exercise cite research f indings in order to bolster their r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s . H o w e v e r, research publications are designed to communicate to scientists, not to the sedentary public. For example, an exercise physiologist starts with two groups of people (the exercisers and the non-exercisers) and then needs to find that between these two groups there is a difference in some factor that can be measured. This difference needs to be large enough for statistical significance to silence criticism. If researchers aren’t demonstrating a significant difference in exercise, they’re less likely to get funding for their research. As a result, within a short period of time, two groups need to be found to be unequivocally different. The easiest way to f ind this kind of result is to make the groups differ as much as possible. It isn’t possible to exercise fewer than zero minutes per week, but it is possible to select an intense group of exercisers. The resulting conclusions about the benefits of frequent and intense exercise are published through academic channels, and are then reported in blogs and news reports, yielding recommendations for the rest of us.

However, improved instrumentation and refined research methods are finding that even small amounts of

TEXT: WENDY EVANS IMAGE: WEB



HEALTH

exercise are beneficial, and that a lot of things that we may not consider to be exercise can bring us positive health results. So what can you do to take advantage of these benefits? First, look for “opportunities to move” throughout the day - climb the stairs, get off the bus one stop early, play on the floor with the kids, be the one who gets up to refill the chip bowl (seriously). Install a step-counting app on your phone and make your movement social, inviting friends or colleagues to join you. Even these normal movements help keep your joints limber, and increase oxygen flow to your brain. A ten-minute brisk walk during your lunch break is an infinite increase over zero minutes of movement.

FOCUS ON IMMEDIATE BENEFITSWorking on a myriad of other things

in our lives often prevents us from working out. We don’t have time to exercise because we have obligations: work, family, friends, and housework, for example. As Abraham Lincoln said, “If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first six sharpening

my ax.” Fortunately, our mental ax does not require six hours to sharpen. Just twenty minutes of active movement yields two hours of improved mood, faster reaction times, and better mental focus. Isn’t that what we want all day long? Twenty minutes of brisk walking on the way to work or school will make our first half of the morning more productive. Similar breaks throughout the day will help us to work better and enjoy it more.

HOLISTIC BENEFITS In addition to exercise bringing

immediate dividends, it also brings long-term rewards. Rather than focus on the thirty minutes or so that you might “lose” from your schedule, focus on the accumulation of things “gained” in your schedule over the other 23.5 hours of the day: better mood, more energy, better work performance, better sleep, and better focus and concentration. Furthermore, there is strong evidence in research that regular aerobic exercise improves memory and actually increases the size of the brain’s hippocampus (the part of the brain

that shrinks in sufferers of Alzheimer’s Disease).

D o n ’ t w a i t f o r a N e w Ye a r ’ s resolution, a new season, or another Monday. Whereas Nike would say “Just Do It,” make it your aim to “Just Do Something!” Keep this motto in mind, and step by step you’ll enjoy improved mood, energy, memory, and focus!

For more inspiration, read No Sweat (Michel le Segar) or watch Wendy Suzuki’s TED talk.

At times when Wendy’s n o t e x e r c i s i n g , s h e w o r k s a t t h e Community Ser vices Center . Wendy i s a USA licensed counselor with more than 25 years of experience working with people struggling with various issues including depression, anxiety, re la t i o n s h i p i s s ue s , p a re n t i n g , addiction, weight management, eating di sorders and di sordered eat ing. To schedule an appointment with her, you can email her at [email protected].



THE MUSIC SCENE

TEXT: JIM KLAR IMAGE: WEB

We Jammin’

A Guide to Playing Songs You Don’t Know, With People You Just MetThe trilby-sporting keyboard player nods at you and says, “Swing shuffle in E. I-IV-V 12-bar. Quick turnaround on the bridge…” Everyone nods. You have no idea what he means, but you plan to fake it.

T he guitarist is forever tuning. The bass player stares into space. The dreadlocked drummer counts off with his sticks,

“One, two, one-two-three-four…” And you’re off on a roller coaster ride called The Jam Session – playing songs you don’t know with people you just met.

Ideally, your first jam session in Taipei should be a warm, fuzzy, supportive environment with helpful, experienced musicians to take your hand and lead you through gently. Or it might be full of uptight, snobby dilettantes who reward your heartfelt efforts with silent disdain. Either you’ll have fun, or build character. Both are good experiences.

Jam Sessions give live music venues business on the slower weeknights. Musicians without day jobs will stay out late, drink more to foster courage, and bring their friends for support. Jams give new, aspiring musicians a place to try their wings & soar, or crash & burn. Experienced players try new things, or just keep their “chops.” Jams also give new arrivals and beginners alike a chance to mix with other inhabitants

of the local music scene, discover who they click with, and maybe start a band.

You will discover that for a city of 2.6 million, the music community in Taipei is not so large, and people tend to stay in their own lanes. So the guy who rocks a didgeridoo at the space hippie jam probably won’t turn up in a fedora at jazz night. But there is enough variety and crossover to keep things fun and interesting.

At least five nights a week you’ll find a jam session somewhere in Taipei, sometimes two. Some have genre themes, while some have a theme of anything goes. The locations and atmosphere of the clubs are equally varied. Here’s a list of some of the most popular, and tips to getting the most out of it, wherever you jam.

SAPPHO LIVE: Sappho is a favorite in the local live music scene. A dark, i nv i t i n g b e l o w-s t re e t- l e v e l c l u b wreathed in red velvet curtains like an after-hours New York City Jazz spot. All just two minutes’ walk from Xinyi/Anhe MRT.

Sunday Nights: Blues Jam: Blues is

the theme, but blues rock or anything fairly close will pass.

Tuesday Nights: Jazz Jam: Longer solos and complicated chord structures abound.

STUNNER: East Side of Zhongshan North Road between Minquan and M i n zu, o n t h e s e co n d f l o o r. Te n minutes’ stroll from Minquan East Road MRT. Seating here is tiered and weird. You can’t see the band from the bar, only from a series of stadium risers with pillows, so you’re effectively sitting on the floor. Not my favorite position.

Monday Nights: Jazz Jam: Highly sk i l led music ians in a support ive atmosphere.

BOBWUNDAYE: Heping East Road, close to Dunhua. Five minutes’ walk from Liuzhangli MRT.

Wednesday Nights: Jam: Lots of variety, from rock to blues to punk, but typically not much jazz.

IV Y PAL ACE: Very cool bui lding on Dihua Street in Taipei’s oldest neighborhood, six minutes’ walk from Daqiaotou MRT.

Wednesday Nights: “Free Jam”:



THE MUSIC SCENE

Hippie drum circle vibe, definitely the place to bring your didgeridoo. Relaxed and laid back.

TRIANGLE: In Maji Square, three minutes’ walk from Yuanshan MRT. Why is it called Triangle?” Because the room is shaped like one. Duh.

Thursday Nights: “Jams & Bands”: Exactly what it sounds like – everything from solo performers to bands of any genre and everything in between.

JAM SESSION DOS & DON’TS1. Learn to listen. Jamming is a lot

like a conversation. Nobody likes a blabbermouth.

2. Keep your eyes open. Your fellow musicians will signal changes or hand out solos visually.

3. Travel light. Most places have a PA, amps & drum kit. All you need in most places is your ax. Drummers only sticks. Keyboard players should call ahead as some places have ‘em, some don’t.

4. Get ready to make mistakes. There will be times when you sound bad. Get over it.

5. The biggest sin is to be selfish at

the expense of the groove. The groove rules. All egos must sacrifice themselves unto it.

6. If there is a theme (blues, jazz or rock), stick with it. If there’s no theme, make one.

7. Hold back until you get the feel of the vibe.

8. Get to a microphone and introduce yourself to the audience, or make sure you get the MC to announce you.

9. Don’t give up, keep coming back; it can take a while to not sound bad.

10. Be encouraging to your fel low musicians. Tell them you’re looking forward to jamming again next week.

11. Have at least one song prepared. Preferably something many people know.

12. People will be looking at you. Dress like it.

13. If you get a chance to shine, take it.14. Be nice to people. Thank every

musician you play with, every time.

After a while you will gain a presence – the gui tar p layer with the bad

posture, the piano guy with the afro, the drummer with a twitch or the guy in the red shirt. This will be clear when you can’t make it once and when you return, they ask, “Hey, where were you last week?”

So practice your favorite licks, screw up your confidence and head out into the night to that Jam Session. Let’s face it, not everybody is Jimi Hendrix. But as long as you don’t stink up the joint too bad, you should be able to make friends, make noise and have fun.

Join us at the Center’s April Coffee Morning

Thursday, April 1110:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

No. 25, Lane 290, Zhongshan N. Rd, Sec 6 | 台北市中山北路六段290巷25號一樓www.communitycenter.org.tw | (02) 2836-8134

Coffee Mornings Sponsored bySanta Fe Relocation Services

Welfarein Taiwan

Connie Chiang from the Taiwan SPCA and Tim Gorski of the PACK Sanctuary lead a discussion on the treatment of animals in Taiwan.

The Center invites you to an evening program

Thursday, April 256:30 p.m. — Reception7:00 p.m. — Program

No. 25, Lane 290, Zhongshan N. Rd, Sec 6 台北市中山北路六段290巷25號一樓

www.communitycenter.org.tw | (02) 2836-8134

Formosawith Stephanie Huffman and Joshua Samuel Brown

MoonAuthor reading of

Wine and light refreshments

provided

Jim Klar is an American Expat living in Taipei for the last four years. His passions include Buddhist meditation, cycling, martial arts, blues harmonica, studying Chinese and being a good father and husband. He sings and plays throughout the local music scene and can often be spotted on his bicycle high in the peaks of Yangmingshan National Park.


A ddis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, means “new flower” and, as its name suggests, the city is l iteral ly blooming.

New offices, residential buildings, and hotels are sprouting up everywhere, a n ew l i g ht ra i l syste m s h u f f l e s commuters from one end of town to another, and the country’s homegrown Ethiopian Airl ines is expanding to new destinations across the globe. A bustling city of nearly 3.4 million (although some locals say it is actually eight million), Addis Ababa is easily reached from Taipei through flights from Hong Kong, Manila or Bangkok.

B o l e I n t e r n a t i o n a l A i r p o r t ’ s proximity to the city means travelers are downtown in no time. Looking around Addis Ababa’s skyline, there is the feeling that the city is on the cusp of something major, that it is about to boom big time and will never be the same. If the construction scene makes you feel like you are in Beijing, well, most of the infrastructure in this sprawling capital city is currently being built and financed by the Chinese. Visitors can witness goats being herded in the streets, right before looking up to see several new skyscrapers being

built across the city. Once you get out of your vehicle, you will sense a bit of difficulty moving around and finding places, not only because most buildings don’t have an address, but also because the elevation is 2,355 meters above sea level. While Addis Ababa’s sunny weather is inviting and the city is relatively safe (keep an eye on your phone), first timers will appreciate hiring a driver or guide to see the sights.

Most tourists start with Entoto Hill, with the drive up its long, winding road being an attraction in its own right. Business activities take place up and down the road – people carrying wood, or herding goats and donkeys. The first stop is to see Lucy at the National Museum of Ethiopia. Lucy, or “Dinkinesh” in Amharic, is the 3.2 million-years-old hominid, and at forty percent, the most complete skeleton of an early adult human ancestor ever discovered. The skull on display in the museum is actually a replica: the real Lucy is safely housed in the paleoanthropology laboratory next to the museum. The museum also houses a replica of Selam (which means “peace” in Amharic), 3.3 million years

old and the earliest child to be so far discovered. The upper floors contain an eclectic mix of items from ancient and medieval periods, memorabilia from past emperors, and artwork dating from the early human civilization to modern times.

A bit further up the hil l is Haile Saelassie’s former palace, now known as the Ethnological Museum, nestled in Addis Ababa University. Near the entrance v is i tors are met with a curious, outdoor spiral staircase. Each of the thirteen stairs represents a year of fascism (one for every year Mussolini held power). The Lion of Judah (the symbol of the Ethiopian monarchy) sits victoriously on top. After going through the building’s stately entrance, museum v is i tors weave through d i fferent artifact exhibits grouped according to human cycle (birth, then death and beyond). The final section houses the most famous part – Haile Salassie’s former l iv ing quarters, complete with a bullet hole in a dressing room mirror: evidence of an unsuccessful assassination attempt.

Ethiopia has one of the strongest religious legacies in the world, and no visit to Addis Ababa would be

APRIL 2019 www.communitycenter.org.tw24

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Addis Ababa

TEXT & IMAGES: LLOYD G. ROBERTS III







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complete without seeing several of its famous churches and learning about Ethiopia’s ties to early Christianity. Further up the hill, Maryam Church was built by former emperor Menelik II. Most tourists (myself included) aren’t lucky enough to catch a glimpse inside as it is only open for viewing after morning services. A museum next door, however, houses a rare collection of fascinating rel igious items and clothing from the Menelik era. His very humble palace is located within walking distance behind the church. Look up in the trees and you might see a monkey or two.

Africa’s largest open-air market, the Merkato, is located in Addis Ababa. Take the craziness of a Taiwan night market, multiply it by ten, and add things not normally done there (like metalworks or fuel sales) and you’ve got the Merkato, an amazing, colorful expanse where every type of business takes place. It's a bumpy walk around the many different stalls and recycling centers – one that will scruff up your shoes. You'll definitely want to take photos, and you'll need someone to help you watch your back. Don't carry large wads of cash in this area and again, watch your phone! I hired Yonas

(yona177@yaho o.com), spending several hours trekking around the market and pushing the limits of my smartwatch’s stepcounter.

At some point during al l of the touring, visitors will need to sample Ethiopian cuisine. Most meals feature injera, a sour, spongy, pancake-like bread which is as essential to dining in Ethiopia as rice is in Taiwan meals. It is made from teff, a gluten-free grain that is packed with minerals. Ethiopian food is eaten with the hands (the right one, specifically), with injera scooping up everything on the plate. A good place for first-timers who would like to first watch and learn (or use silverware if the novelty of eating with the hands is unappealing) is the Taitu Hotel’s lunch buffet. At about US$11, the all-you-can eat vegetarian lunch buffet is a healthy bargain. Many of the items found in the buffet line were grown in the hotel’s own garden.



While Italy’s occupation might not have been welcome in Ethiopia, its cuisine is widely appreciated, and you will find several Italian restaurants (Gusto and Castelli being two of the most famous) in Addis Ababa, as well as several gelato shops. Those not wanting to book a table in advance can try another Mediterranean option: Greek food. Addis Ababa was once home to a thriving Greek community that had its own fancy private club. While the Greek Club might not be private anymore, and both the exterior and interior look like a museum of 70s kitsch, the food is reasonably priced and the service excellent.

It is tempting to finish off a meal in Addis Ababa with a cup of coffee. Indeed, some of the finest coffee in the world is grown here. Coffee shops are on every corner, and there are several producers to choose from in case you want to take some home. Tomoca is one of the oldest and most recognized

coffee bean stores, but you can also grab some to take home at a local supermarket. If you have the time, join an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, where coffee beans are hand ground and then brewed in an earthenware jar.

If coffee is not your thing, a great souvenir is one of the many textile offerings at Sabahar. This fair trade company sells handmade, fair trade textiles. Visitors are welcome to walk around Sabahar’s botanic gardens and watch high-quality scarves, table c lothes and other text i les be ing woven and dyed to life. The author watched visitors purchase mounds of handcrafted items at their little gift shop.

Addis Ababa offers a variety of accommodations for every budget. Mr. Martin’s Cozy Place hostel wins the award for cutest name, but the most famous hotel is the Addis Ababa Hilton, for decades the only international franchise in town, but now rumored to

be up for sale. It is still worth a visit to see its historic building and grounds, although the hotel’s much-touted swimming pools, fed with hot spring water, won’t be that big of a deal for Taipei residents used to making Beitou hot spring trips. In keeping with Addis Ababa’s current theme of intense urban development, a Hyatt just opened, while a second Sheraton (this one being a Four Points), and a Pullman Hotel are in the works. Visit before the high rises take over.

TRAVEL

Lloyd G. Roberts III has lived in Taiwan for over 25 years, having worked in the legal administration sector for the last fifteen years. He received his MBA from National Chiao Tung University, and serves on the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club steering committee.



TRAVEL

O r g a n i c f r u i t , v e g a n d what-not are so widely available these days that it’s easy to forget that in

days gone by, everything we ate was natural and pesticide free, and that we didn’t have to pay a premium for the privilege of eating the unadulterated stuff. Indeed, just a few short decades ago, most of us would have had to either grow and harvest it ourselves, or haul ourselves over to the local wet market to get the week’s supplies.

Today Yangmingshan is usual ly regarded as a place of recreation and

relaxation, yet its foothills (with a climate that’s damp, cool and relatively sheltered, with fertile volcanic soil to boot) have t rad i t iona l ly been one of the Taipei area’s main food baskets, supplying Taipei dwellers with everything from cabbages to strawberries. While thick jungle now covers vast swathes of hillside around the foothills of the Datun Mountain group, a century ago much of the land was covered in terraced fields planted with countless rows of tea bushes. A few decades later, in the 1920s the colonial Japanese discovered that their

cherished Penglai rice, which they considered far more palatable than the varieties being grown in Taiwan at the time, grew and prospered in the cool, wet, and sheltered hollow of Jhuzihu. In a sign of the changing times, perhaps, purely decorative calla lilies have taken over as the main attraction in Jhuzihu, but fruit and vegetables are still grown elsewhere on Yangmingshan, and a scattering of fruit farms can still be found, especially on the southeast corner of the National Park, above Neihu and Neishuangxi.

Several valuable cash crops, however,

Yuanliu Old Trail TEXT & IMAGES: RICHARD SAUNDERS

RICHARD SAUNDERS EXPLORES TAIWAN'S LESS-TRODDEN PATHS



TRAVEL

didn’t even need to be planted and cultivated, and grow naturally on the mountainsides. Strobilanthes cusia Kuntze, a meter-high herbaceous shrub that grows in profusion in shady, damp areas of Yangmingshan, was once harvested in huge quantities to extract the indigo pigment contained in its leaves. Growing on the much more exposed upper slopes of the mountains, arrow bamboo supplied (and continues to supply to this day) an abundant harvest of delicious arrow bamboo shoots, and it was to get to these natural crops that several old

trails were cut through the forests and across the huge expanses of arrow bamboo on the high tops, a century or so ago. Following one of these trails is the best way to get an idea of the strenuous lengths locals once went to gather bamboo shoots for their own consumption, or for sale.

One of these (until recently) all-but-forgotten bamboo shoot pickers’ routes is known as Yuanliu Old Trail (圓柳古

道). You’ll need a good hiking map (or, nowadays, GPS coordinates) to find the starting point of the trail, just off local route 7, along a maze of lanes

winding through the northernmost foothills of the Datun mountains, a little southeast of Sanzhi on the north coast. After an easy couple of minutes’ stroll along a track, the trail itself veers away, climbing very steeply up a series of seven long-abandoned terraced fields, probably once a tea garden, but now completely reclaimed by the jungle. About thirty minutes into the long climb, a circular stone enclosure beside the path is an old charcoal kiln: a reminder of another long-gone industry once practiced in these hills.

Eventually, about two hours after leaving the road, the thinning forest f inal ly g ives way to a vast sea of bamboo, which generally bends under the stiff coastal breeze that hits these high, exposed ridges throughout the year. It’s a bit of a battle proceeding along the path from here onwards, as each step means parting numerous spiky bamboo stems to reveal the route of the dirt trail, which is clear only on the ground, Most hikers soon give up and turn back. For the pickers of much sought-after arrow bamboo shoots, however (and others who once used routes like this as a form of communication between settlements and farms in the hills), this would, however, have just been the start of the day’s work. It’s a thought that certainly puts into sobering perspective our modern, and in many ways far easier, lives.

Richard Saunders is a trained classical musician and writer who has lived in Taipei since 1993. He has written several books (available at the Center and in bookshops around Taipei), including Yangmingshan: the Guide (a complete guide to the National Park on Taipei’s doorstep), Taipei Escapes I and 2, which together detail sixty day trips and hikes within easy reach of Taipei city, and The Islands of Taiwan, a guide to Taiwan’s offshore islands. His latest book, Taiwan 101: Essential Hikes, Sights and Experiences around Ilha Formosa, is out now.


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Vol. 19 07 - Taipei Community Services Center · 2019-03-29 · Vol. 19 | 07 Apr 19 cover.indd 1 2019/3/25 下午10:19. ... with Jennifer on April 16th, explores a little-known area