Blogs from Hualien, Taiwan, Asia - page 6

There will be no new pictures in this chapter. My digital camera, having done yeoman service, is “tango uniform”, so I looked in my files for something to add. I found a video clip of the wonderful road through the mountains back from Li Yu Tan. More about that later. Life goes quietly on. I’m doing OK on my own (Lao-puo Suzanne is in Hanoi with our daughter Renee)—I just don’t like it very much. The weather has been cold and wet—a typhoon just missed us so we got rain and cloud and temperatures in the high teens and low twenties. I was out on the bike tonight, just for a spin, because it is finally balmy again. I’ve been taking the car more often than not. If it’s raining in the morning, it’s miserable all ... read more

“My girls” (so I’m a chauvinist—sue me!) returned to Kuala Lumpur after an overnight trip to Ipoh. KL threatens to become our favourite city in Asia—closing fast on Taipei. They have been doing fabulous things--like having a gourmet Mothers Day Thai meal at the Petronas Towers, and cave-exploring in the Batu Caves. Lao-puo is really good at planning trips, and this time she found a really nice hostel (for only $CAD 10 per night each) just a block or two from the Istana Hotel (where we stayed). It’s also just a block from the Chinese hawker stalls, where we went for dinner more often than not. They phoned me last night, and all is well. Except…Renée looked before opening the taxi door, but a car came out of nowhere and hit the door. Being a dad, ... read more

Annie (from Agape House) gave us a chit to get our portraits professionally done. The photographer couldn't speak English, but got us well positioned for nice pictures. I've been known to have told a few stretchers in my life--but only for amusement purposes. Nevertheless, sometimes I fear that my reports may not always be considered credible. Let's face it (when I claim to have heard musical garbage trucks) some readers might conclude my medication should be adjusted. So, here's proof! The sound of a musical garbage truck is something that foreigners (upon returning home) will always associate with Taiwan. Many people over here are shy, but some really enjoy being in a foreigner's film. That's why the fellow pulled up on his motorbike to say hello. The next video clip is Lao-puo buying pineapple. Her Chinese ... read more

A chapter or so ago, I referred to Agape House--a Christian drug and alcohol rehab/offenders' halfway house near here, run by our friends Frank and Annie (both ordained ministers). So am I ordained now, by the way, but only through an Internet site that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees based on "life experience". Better than nothing for the time being, I suppose. Be that as it may, Frank told me that guilt is a huge thing in the minds of some of the "brothers and sisters" (as he calls them). They know that their addictions and life choices have caused great suffering to loved ones. He asked me to preach on guilt and forgiveness (in consideration of getting rid of a dog Suzanne and I had euthanized recently), so I did. I spoke in English, of ... read more

I’m not kidding. Things are very strange for foreigners living in Taiwan, but I never thought I would ever strike such a bargain with anyone. Lao-puo Suzanne devotes a lot of time and energy to the well being of unwanted and ownerless dogs and cats—of which there is no shortage around here. Things turned out well for little Ling-Ling, the (face-only-a-mother-could-love-and-maybe-not-even-her) little French bulldog I brought home the other week. Our vet was able to find a home for her, with some kind people who already have another dog. Another street dog was not so lucky. You know the kind of dog I mean—when left to breed indiscriminately, all dogs will end up with short hair any colour, and will weigh about 10 kg. There are scores of such dogs around the city, unwanted and sick ... read more