jessc45

[jessc45]

July 28 - Taipei

Our last free day in Taiwan! Sad! Today is probably the most it’s hit me that I’m leaving so soon. I know it’s dramatic and potentially cliche to say, but I honestly think I'm a slightly different person now that I’ve gone on this trip. I feel like I’ve been seeing a whole new world, which has really changed my outlook on just about everything. Anyways, last night I went to bed at 9:30. There’s a chance that is the earliest I’ve fallen asleep in years, or at least in the top 3. And what time did I wake up? 9:30. So I basically got 12 hours of sleep. Yesterday clearly exhausted me. I woke up feeling really refreshed and rushed downstairs to eat breakfast before the 10 a.m. closing. Afterwards, I took a shower and got my clothes ready to take to the laundromat. While waiting on my clothes to wash, I did a little bit of LSAT studying (something that I planned to do much more often on this trip; that, uhhh, hasn’t happened). After my clothes dried, I wanted to find somewhere to go that I could write about for the next independent excursion assignment. I decided I wanted to walk to the area of the Zhongzheng district where many of the major national government buildings are located. It was about a 40-minute walk, which was nice because I wanted to get some activity in. I got to see the Executive Yuan, the Legislative Yuan, the Control Yuan (a sort of supervising branch), and a few other cool buildings nearby. I’ll talk much more about what I saw and its relevance in my Independent Excursion post coming soon. Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed into any of these buildings. When I would walk up to ask if I could visit, the guards all told me I could not enter. I was definitely disappointed by this, but it was still cool to see the area of these historic buildings. I then grabbed some Japanese food for lunch and started the walk back. I also stopped for a second to visit the Linsen Park, which was nice to walk around in. That's where the large warrior statue above is from. Since getting back, I took a shower and have just been watching a movie (I am currently watching The Batman again). I’m excited for our group stir-fry with Peter and Yeh Laoshi tonight!

[jessc45]

July 27 - Alishan to Taipei

Free writing

I’m currently writing this blog at 5 PM. With the exception of occasional naps, I have been up for 16 hours today. Hard for me to believe that! It was a struggle for me to roll out of bed at 1:30 AM. I think that breaks the record for earliest I’ve ever woken up? I would have to think about it longer. Anyways, we boarded the bus. No one (except Tian) had any energy. Much to my dismay, I could not fall asleep on the bus for the 2-hour ride. I think my brain thought my night sleep was a nap, and it threw me off. We got to the Alishan mountains in the pitch dark. Getting ready to board the train to reach the top, I instantly regretted not wearing a jacket. It was cold! I should have known better (dark and rainy at the top of the mountains), but I’ve been so used to 90-degree heat that I didn’t think anything of it! We piled onto the train and reached the top 10 minutes before sunrise. Unfortunately, it was so foggy, we could hardly see anything when the sun came out! We were all very disappointed, as I know the view is normally spectacular. I started getting very cold and hungry. Good thing we quickly had a fantastic breakfast. After that, we went on a relatively short hike. The forest was absolutely gorgeous, but the rain and the cold made it not the most fun for me! However, I would say it was all worth it because of the group of probably 10 or so monkeys we witnessed! I have never seen monkeys in the wild before, so I thought that was so cool. I could have watched them for another 30 minutes. Anyways, we all got on the bus to go to Taipei exhausted. It was definitely a long bus ride, but I was luckily able to nap for a decent amount of it. Now, I’m doing some assignments, and honestly plan to eat dinner, shower, and then sleep. I want an early bedtime for sure! Side note - It is just now hitting me that we have just 3 more full days left of the trip after today! I am honestly getting sad about it; I've had such an amazing time.

Academic reflection

I learned a few cool things today in the Alishan Mountains. For one, Taiwan has monkeys! I am not sure how it took me this long to find that out, but I thought that was very cool. However, I also learned that, in many ways, the monkeys are major disturbances! A sign in the park read “Beware of monkeys” and warned about monkeys snatching food, transmitting diseases, and acting aggressively. I can definitely imagine them being a problem! Luckily, the monkeys didn’t bother us, as they kept eating away as if we weren’t there. 

The train we rode on today has been operating in the mountains for over a century. It was originally used for Taiwan’s logging industry and transporting timber. Now, it is a very popular tourist spot. I think it’s very interesting how the railway and the park allows for mini-markets similar to the one’s we see in the cities. Vendors were selling coffee, tea, food, and more on the mountains!

[jessc45]

July 26 - Tainan to Alishan

Today was fairly uneventful. I woke up feeling a decent amount better, which is great news! Let’s hope that holds. I'm still definitely not 100%. We checked out of our hotel and then drove back to the sugar factories we had visited a few days ago to visit the MRT station leader: a cat! It was very cute seeing the cat in the train station seat. I grabbed a big pork dumpling for lunch and then headed back to the bus. On the bus ride, I listened to some music and tried to nap, to no avail. Once we got to the hotel, I was very happy to see a king-sized bed! That meant I just had to take a nap. After that, I went with the group to a hot pot restaurant. What a cool restaurant! I genuinely don’t think I’ve eaten more in my entire life. The restaurant had a rule that said you would be charged extra if you didn’t finish your food. By the end, I was forcing myself to eat the food. Still very good! I’m going to try to go to bed early, because we are waking up at 1:30 am (yikes!) to drive to see the sunrise in the Alishan forest. I will definitely not be getting much sleep tonight, but I wanna try. Hopefully I can sleep some on the bus.

Academic reflection

Today didn’t really include any educational excursions, so I’ll just talk about some interesting things I noticed today and the articles linked. I thought it was a smart marketing tactic for the MRT station to have a cat as its “station leader”. The extra publicity that the station receives must help the station be more profitable than otherwise. I also think the same can be said about the hot pot restaurants charging extra for not finishing the food. I’ve never seen that before at a restaurant. I would assume it decreases the amount of wasted food to increase profit. It worked on me, as it forced me to be careful about what I grabbed and to finish stuff I probably would have left otherwise. 

I learned some new things about the Alishan National Forest. High up in the mountains, you can look down on the clouds from up there. According to our reading, Alishan was first inhabited by indigenous Taiwanese and eventually settled by the Han Chinese. Later, Japan used the forest for the logging industry. Tourism has now replaced logging as the main center of economic output from the forest, with it being designated as a national scenic area in 2001. I’m excited to visit tomorrow!

[jessc45]

July 25th - Tainan

Free writing

What a busy day! I once again woke up sick. I was sad that it hadn't gone away, but not surprised. I think I felt a little worse than yesterday, but still not very bad per se. We took the bus to the drum Ten-drum village. That was a fun place! We saw a show of traditional Chinese drumming and music. That was very cool. I then got a huge lunch with chicken as the main meal. After we left, we went on a boat ride at the Sicao Green tunnel. It was definitely a pretty scene, but the heat was making me feel unwell. It was really hot, and there wasn’t much in the way of sun cover on the boat ride. Not even the large hats they gave us could help. After that, we went to the Anping tree house, a cool place where natural overgrowth has taken over an abandoned factory. To end the day, we went to the Anping fort very briefly. Afterwards, I was exhausted and honestly not feeling great. I went back to the hotel to nap and felt a good amount better afterwards. After getting dinner, I hung out with some friends and am now going to sleep.

Academic reflection

I learned some interesting things during our many journeys today. I thought it was very cool how the former sugar factories of the drum village where made into a large area filled with shops, restaurants, and a large stage for percussion shows. I very much enjoyed hearing more traditional Chinese music, with complex rhythms (including massive drums and gongs) creating a sound I don’t normally hear in the West. The Sicao wetlands are a great showcase of environmental protection at work, with government regulation being put in place to keep the wetlands thriving. 

Just like the drum village, the Anping Tree House was once a sugar factory, and then later a salt factory. I think seeing these places, which have now been transformed into entirely different sections of the economy, showcases how Taiwan has changed economically. Taiwan’s economy has grown in so many fields that former goods that were so essential to the economy, like sugar, are not as large a sector anymore. It is very impressive how Taiwan has been able to diversify and grow economically over the last few centuries. Finally, the fort was another interesting showcase of Taiwan’s past history with the Dutch. According to the article linked on the topic, the fort actually marked the end of Dutch rule in Taiwan, with a devastating battle leading to the Ming taking over and 1,600 Dutch deaths.

[jessc45]

July 24 - Tainan

Free writing

Today, I woke up to something I had been hoping every day would not come: a sore throat. UGH. As the trip was winding to a close (it’s the last week!), I thought I had achieved a sort of miracle by avoiding any sort of illness that has been spreading around the group. Now, it seems to have gotten me. Luckily, so far the only symptom has been a sore throat, and it hasn’t gotten worse (yet). Let’s hope I wake up better tomorrow. Anyways, I went to breakfast, and then Layla was nice enough to give me an extra mask. At breakfast, I learned that a few other people have sore throats, including Emily (who has been sick for a few days), Glenda, and Tian. I hope something isn’t spreading! Our first stop today was a Confucius temple. It was cool to learn more about such an important philosopher. We then went to the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, where I learned more about Taiwan's culture through literature and film. Then, we drove over to the National Museum of Taiwan History. What a great museum! I really enjoyed the exhibits and the comprehensive telling of Taiwan’s history. After that, I grabbed lunch (omelet rice, something I hadn’t tried before but was great!) and then took a long nap to try to feel better. I think it helped a little! I’ve just been doing homework and watching a movie since. I’m now going to get dinner.

Academic Reflection

Wow, I learned a lot today! For one, I learned new things about Confucius, the incredibly important ancient Chinese philosopher. Confucius’s teachings have had an unparalleled impact on Chinese culture and continue to be guiding principles for many, particularly in terms of moral and family values. However, he is not without controversy, particularly for restrictive views on women. I then learned some new things about Taiwanese literature. I was particularly interested in its section on how books have influenced film. I didn’t realize Taiwan has had such a rich history of film, with numerous distinct eras. Yesterday, I began watching a film called Yi Yi, which I have seen acclaimed as a modern-day classic of Taiwanese cinema. I’ll get back with my full thoughts when I’m finished!

I learned a ton at the National Museum of Taiwan History. I was amazed at how the museum started from thousands of years ago and worked up to the modern day. I learned that many scholars believe the Taiwanese indigenous people are the origin of the entire Austronesian population. I did not know that! Later on, I learned how many people took the brave journey (legally and illegally) from overpopulated South China to Taiwan in search of land and opportunity. The museum also discussed Japanese rule, where propaganda and laws attempted to replace local culture with Japanese support. I also thought it was interesting that this museum was the most open museum I have seen so far in its discussion of the brutal repression under martial law during the 20th century. I am glad to see that the country is becoming more open to discussing past atrocities.

[jessc45]

July 23 - Tainan

Free writing

Today, I woke up at 9 and had breakfast here for the first time. It was pretty good! We then went on the bus and headed to a local university for a Chinese calligraphy class! I was a little nervous going into this class. For one, my English calligraphy is already not good at all. Doing it in Chinese sounded like it would go from bad to worse! I was still excited to try something new. The teachers spoke in Chinese, and Peter translated for us. They gave a brief history of the use of fans in China, and also talked about different types of calligraphy. Then, the teacher demonstrated some different things to write. After that, it was our turn! I practiced for a very long time writing characters that mean “happiness” in Chinese. It was even more difficult because the type of character I decided to do was in cursive Chinese. I was amazed by how smoothly the teacher could do it. After some practice, I was improving, but it was still not even close to as good. Finally, it was time to write on the fans that they proved to us. When the moment came, I choked under the pressure! I was not very happy with my writing on either side of the fan. Oh well! It was still a very fun experience. After, we ate some bento boxes and headed back to the hotel. I walked over to the National Cheng Kung University to walk around the campus. It was really pretty! I spent some time at a park with a ton of turtles and ducks. After that, I did a little workout, showered, and napped. Now I’m about to go get dinner.

Academic Reflection

Today was a really great learning experience. I learned a lot about Chinese calligraphy, and it’s history of fan usage. I didn’t realize that Chinese calligraphy has so many different styles, like more standard writing and cursive writing. I was truly amazed by how the teacher was able to write so smoothly. It was also interesting to learn that all students in Taiwan must learn calligraphy growing up. This was fascinating to me, as it seems that Chinese culture stresses having handwriting skills more than American culture. Calligraphy is not really emphasized back home much.

I also learned some new things about the use of fans in Chinese history. For many years, the type of fan you used was a sign of your cultural status. For instance, if you were very wealthy, you could hire a person to stand next to you and use a very large fan to keep you cool! It is also not just the movies that showcase these fans having pretty designs; it is real history, too! For centuries, people have used art and calligraphy to make their fans beautiful. Mine was definitely not the prettiest ever made, but I'm glad I tried!

[jessc45]

July 22 - Kaohsiung to Tainan

Free writing

Today, we checked out of our hotel at 11 to head to Tainan, the oldest city in Taiwan. It was nice to sleep in a bit. We stopped on the bus ride to get some lunch at the largest 7-11 in Kaoshiung. It was pretty big! I enjoyed my sandwich (beef and onions) and got some snacks for later. We then drove another hour after that to Tainan. Our first stop in Tainan was the Chihkan tower, a former fort that now serves as a temple. A lot of it was under construction, but the parts we could see were really neat! After, we walked to some nearby temples. Once again, it included places for Taoist and Buddhist worship. I used a stamp that indicated I will get good grades on future exams. Let’s hope that helps me! After that, we went to the Hayashi Department Store, an old department store built during Japanese rule. It was a very cool store, but too expensive for me! After that, we went to the hotel. My luck was in my favor today, as I won the lucky draw to get a single room for the rest of the trip! When I walked into my room, I was very happy. A huge room to myself! After a quick nap, I walked over to get dinner. I ate this great (and cheap) steak covered in cheese and eggs. It was amazing. Since then, I’ve just been watching TV in my bed. 

Academic reflection

I learned a few new things today. I thought it was very interesting how the Chihkan tower had transitioned from a fort to a temple over the last 400 years. The museum discussed how the tower was a central part of Dutch rule in terms of commerce and administration. The article discussing it even says that the place served as an army hospital for the Japanese during WW2. I think it’s a great showcase of Taiwan’s changing history and how the distant past can still impact it even today. I also thought it was cool that students come to the temple to pray for good grades! I hope it works for all of them. 

I also enjoyed the Hayashi Department Store. I thought it was really interesting how, since it was built by the Japanese, it included a Shinto shrine on the top floor. As far as I know, that’s the first Shinto shrine I’ve seen in Taiwan. There’s a decent chance I have seen another one and just didn’t realize it. I also thought it was interesting reading about how the department store suffered damage from Allied bombing raids during WW2. It’s easy for me to forget sometimes that, since Taiwan was under Japanese rule during WW2, it was also bombed by Allied forces trying to defeat Japan and suffered damage from the raids.

[jessc45]

July 21 - Kaohsiung

Free writing

This morning, I got up at 8 to leave the hotel at about 9. We went to the Lotus Pond, a really wonderful lake lined with Taoist temples. We visited each of these temples, which included really cool statues and interesting religious legends. For example, one pavilion included dragon and lion-themed buildings that we could walk through, each including scenes of Taoist hell and heaven. Another one included a massive statue of a Taoist god. After a short tour of each of the pavilions, we went back to the hotel. I grabbed a bacon and egg burrito, called my girlfriend since it is her birthday (Happy birthday Gretta!), and got ready to go to the beach! When we got to the beach, I thought it was almost funny how violent and choppy the waves were. I don’t think I’ve ever seen waves like it! The lifeguards were not letting anyone swim (for good reason!). I still thought the beach was pretty, and enjoyed my time there even without swimming. Since getting back, I’ve been doing nothing but being lazy. 

Academic Reflection

I learned a few new things today through our readings and excursions. Specifically, I learned some more about Taiwan’s religions and history. The article by Charles B. Jones explains that Taiwan’s long history of immigration and colonial rule influences its diverse religious culture. Temples have, for a long time, had an incredibly important impact on the country as both places of worship for those who already believe and as a way to spread it to non-believers. The temples I saw today are examples of temples that seem to be built in a way to attract those who don’t know the religion as much as it is made for worshippers. The article does say that a sort of secularization of society has occurred in Taiwan that has made religion less impactful on everyday political society. This is something that I feel like I’ve noticed so far. Despite religion being an important thing to many citizens here, and temples existing on many streets, society still feels fairly secular in a way. 

I think a big part of the reason for this is Taiwan’s freedom of religion. The article by the U.S. Department of State says that freedom of religion is protected by the Constitution. This allows for the variety of religions I’ve seen here. I also learned that a pretty significant portion of the population (almost 24%) does not practice religion, something that I didn’t know before reading the article. There are also a fairly significant number of Christians (5.5% of the population is protestant and 1.4% is catholic). I have seen a wide variety of churches, prayer rooms, and temples myself across these different religions, including Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam.

[jessc45]

July 20th - Kaohsiung

Free writing

Another free day! This was, by far, my laziest day in Taiwan so far. I feel like I’ve done something adventurous either by myself or with the group every day so far. I would not really say today was an adventurous one! The last few days have been super busy, so I decided just to chill out today. It also being rainy outside most of the day made that decision easier. I slept in super late (until noon), and when I (finally) got up, I went to the same burger place I went to yesterday. It being so close and yummy helps! It’s not too expensive, and probably tastes better than most  U.S. fast food burgers. After that, I came back to my room and was very lazy for hours. I watched Spirited Away (going to Jiufen inspired me to rewatch), which is an all-time animated movie for me. It’s just so well-animated and creates such a vibrant world. I also played chess for a very long time. I think I lost more than I won, unfortunately. Anyways, after a nap (I have been so sleepy today), I decided to do laundry and walk around outside. I decided to walk around the warehouse-store area right across the street, and thought it was very cool! I didn’t realize the area was filled with shops until today. There was also a small market right next to the water that I enjoyed walking through. I walked over to the Kaoshiung Music Center because I thought the building looked cool, and saw a bunch of people. I saw a sign outside advertising a band called Energy, which I learned is a popular Taiwanese boy band. There were a ton of people lined up outside, but a sign made it seem like the concert wasn’t until September. I learned by searching it up that the line was for an autograph session with the band. After that, I went and grabbed some Japanese curry nearby. Super yummy and cheap! I then went to finish laundry and walked over to the convenience store with Landon. I think I will probably go to bed soon, but first I want to take a bath! I’m already getting a little sad that the trip is most of the way done! I’ve been having a really amazing time; it’s definitely an experience I’ll never forget. I am telling myself that we still have 10 more days left, and I’m looking forward to those adventures.

[jessc45]

July 19th - Kaohsiung

Free writing

Today, we left the hotel on the bus at 9. My breakfast beforehand, as it has been the last few days, included braised pork and rice and an iced coffee. Not really what I thought I would be eating for breakfast here, but I’ve liked it! Anyways, we drove to a Hakka village after. It was very cute and lively! I loved just looking around in the shops, particularly the one with all of the pretty wooden umbrellas. After getting a few small things, we left for a sugar factory. Before that, Yeh laoshi treated us all to popsicles. I really enjoyed my peanut flavor one. Thank you, Yeh laoshi! It was cool to see the factory, but I also thought it was a little creepy! It also started absolutely pouring, which made it tricky to walk around. Afterwards, we went back to the hotel. Back at the hotel, I ran to get food since I was starving and had a great burger. After that, I did my quiz and took a much-needed nap. After getting dinner a second ago, I’m not sure what I’ll do for the rest of the night. I’m excited to sleep in and enjoy a free day tomorrow.

Academic reflection

I learned a few new things today through our readings and adventures. The first was at the Hakka market. Before today, I didn’t realize that the Han Chinese ethnic group is also split up into numerous subgroups. One of these is the Hakkas. The article by R Scott Wilson describes the group as an ethnic group from Southern China who primarily speak a dialect of Chinese known as Hakka. Because of their location in mountainous regions, they sometimes had struggles with other subgroups of Han Chinese, which helped them to develop a unique group identity. In modern days, the Hakka work in some ways to resist the Taiwanese nationalism of the majority (Hokkien). The markets like the one we visited today are one of many examples, including parades and more, that showcase how the Hakka work to keep their culture alive despite being a minority subgroup here. 

I also learned some new things at the sugar factory. The article by Christopher Isset was interesting to me, as I had no idea of the importance of sugar in the wider agrarian economy of Taiwan’s past. The article explains that the history of sugar agriculture in Taiwan is closely intertwined with the history of peasant families, considering they were often the ones who worked in the sugar fields. I found the article's discussion of cooperative mills to be interesting, as those seem to, in a way, be resistant to the more private, capitalistic ownership I often see today in Taiwan. The factory we went to today was the Qiatou Sugar Factory, which was built in 1902. It was fascinating to see the massive containers used for the sugar inside, which definitely showcases how sugar evolved from farming to factory.

[jessc45]

July 18 - Kaoshiung

Free writing

Today was definitely a crazy day! We left at 9 on the bus for what was supposed to be a 2 and a half hour drive to the beach at the southernmost tip of Taiwan. On the way, we stopped at a rest stop with dogs, turtles, and a beach view! As we stopped to get in the water, a man drove up to us and said that the beach was being shut down because of an incoming typhoon! All of the lifeguards were kicking people off the beach. I was pretty bummed about it, as the beach was beautiful! I still walked out to take a few photos and then left. We went to get some coconuts to drink, and then got some food (I ate dumplings) when it started pouring. Our next stop was a lighthouse near the ocean. While we were walking around, the rain and wind became crazy powerful! It got us all soaking wet and even broke some people’s umbrellas. I was honestly laughing too much to be annoyed. We then drove over to the Longpan Park, a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. What an incredible view! I was blown away by the sights, and also literally blown away by the wind. I don’t know if I can remember feeling wind so powerful before (you can see it messing my hair up in the photo above)! When it would blow water and dirt, it would almost hurt how fast it was flying. After that, we drove back to Kaohsiung. Now, I plan on getting some food and going to sleep early.

Academic reflection

I learned new things through our readings and adventures today. Our readings, by Lynn Su and Cathy Teng, both had to do with the history of rice in Taiwan. The history of rice in Taiwan has been influenced by its colonial history, such as the actions of the Japanese colonizing government. This is part of the reason Taiwan and Japanese rice are similar in style. For a long time, this Japanese rice was flowering too early, until new agricultural techniques ended this issue. One thing I learned from these articles is how much rice cultivation requires expertise and changing techniques. I (ignorantly) would assume the process would be relatively simple, but the amount of attention to detail the article showcases proves otherwise. I also didn’t know the (controversial) market trends of rice in Taiwan. According to Su, rice consumption is at an all-time low. Further, reduced restrictions on rice importation have added to issues for farmers. It is really interesting to see how one simple type of food could be surrounded by a long history of economic and political consequences. 

On our adventures today, it was interesting to learn new things near the coast. For one, I was impressed by how efficiently the officials kicked everyone off the beach. They take these typhoons very seriously. I also enjoyed learning about the lighthouse, which, according to a worker, was built after a major shipwreck claimed many lives. It is the brightest lighthouse in East Asia! I was also amazed by the amount of wind and the steep cliffs at the coast; no wonder there were so many warning signs around!

[jessc45]

July 17th - Kaohsiung

Free writing

Today was a very busy day! We got up earlier today than normal to leave at 8:20. It was definitely hard to roll out of bed. We left for the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist monastery then. Our tour guide was a nice Austrian monk who showed us through the massive area that included the monastery and the Buddha museum. I was amazed by the multitude of awesome statues and buildings. The heat and tiredness started to get to me very early! We eventually had a traditional monastery lunch in a massive room filled with people. The lunch included chants and specific manners and rituals that we had to follow. The food was great; the main course item was apparently a form of mushrooms covered in soy sauce, made to taste like meat (since monks do not eat meat). I could not tell the difference between it and pork! I was very impressed. I’ll talk more about it during the academic reflection, but overall, the experience was definitely something to remember. We then walked toward the Buddha museum, where we got to see a few amazing shrines and exhibits. We also had a tea and meditation ceremony, where a monk taught us how to make the tea and meditate while giving us words of wisdom and answering our questions about Buddhism. Afterwards, we drove to the local Liu-He night market, where I ate some fried chicken (every once in a while, I crave some American food). I’m absolutely worn out, so I expect to go to bed soon.

Academic reflection

I learned an incredible amount today. I feel as though I knew very little about Buddhism before today; I knew about the Buddha and the beliefs in reincarnation and nirvana, but that’s about it. Our reading for today by Stuart Chandler discussed how the Fo Guan Shan monastery came to be in the formerly bamboo-covered mountains, and how its location right next to an urban area showcases its relationship with modern society. The organization (which focuses on “humanistic Buddhism” according to the article) is a massive institution, and the article discusses its importance even to the secular and political world. 

Going to the monastery taught me so much more about this religion that hundreds of millions follow. In the museum, I particularly enjoyed the section on the life of Buddha. According to Buddhists, Buddha was an Indian prince who wanted to achieve perfect enlightenment. After practicing asceticism for 6 years (fasting every day), the Buddha realized it was not the solution and discovered the “middle way” that allowed him to become the “enlightened one”. He then went on to teach others what is called the Four Noble Truths: the existence of suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path leading to cessation of suffering. I did not know this story beforehand, which is something in hindsight I’m mad at myself for considering its significance. I also thought it was fascinating how the religion, despite being founded in India, spread throughout Asia, and is now not practiced nearly as much in India as it is in many other Asian nations.

Visiting the monastery also taught me more about the monks’ practices. For instance, for lunch, there was no speaking and an extended chant/prayer before eating. There was then a specific way to hold the rice bowl, and particular ways to arrange plates. I felt bad because I didn’t finish all of my food, as I was surprised how quickly the whole room ate and left! I also thought it was fascinating how one of the monks explained that Buddhists respect all worldwide religious beliefs (whether it’s Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, etc) because they believe a person’s religious belief is influenced by a past life’s “good karma” with that religion. 

Finally, I enjoyed the night market we went to tonight. The reading by Shuenn-Der Yu was really interesting to me, particularly the fact that some form of night markets have existed in Chinese culture since as early as the 8th century. I had assumed it was mostly a modern creation. I also didn’t realize that the markets are in some way controversial, mostly do to concerns about a lack of regulation.

[jessc45]

July 16th - Kaohsiung

Free writing

I woke up at 8 today to get ready and grab some breakfast. We left at 9 for the National Science and Technology Museum. What a massive museum! I felt like I only saw ¼ of the place. I really enjoyed all of the exhibits I went to. Then, we went to a great buffet lunch. I particularly loved the pork rice and ice cream. During the buffet lunch, we had a Taiwan air defense drill that made us stay inside. I had received an email telling me this was going to happen. I thought that was really interesting, as we usually don’t have that in the U.S. We then went to the Museum of Fine Arts, a wonderful art museum. I enjoyed all the exhibits I went to; it was definitely different from most of the art museums I’ve been to in the U.S., which I appreciated. Finally, we went to the Kaohsiung Public Library. It was huge, and it had a pool! Afterwards, I went with a group to the Dream Mall. I got some clothes from Uniqlo; I’m a fan of that store. Everywhere else was too expensive! After getting some food, I’m writing this as I head back. I will go to sleep early to

Academic reflection

I learned so much today through our excursions. For example, I learned new things about the earthquakes in Taiwan. According to Peter, Taiwan has some sort of earthquake every day! In 1999, a disastrous earthquake killed 2,000 people and caused widespread changes to infrastructure to make it more earthquake resilient. We went to a short earthquake simulator at the science museum. I have never experienced one before, so that was a unique learning experience! I also learned more about Taiwan’s art history. I particularly enjoyed the exhibition that showcased art by Read Lee and Hsiung Ping-king, two prominent Taiwanese artists whose contrasting styles made for a fascinating exhibition. I feel like I have a greater appreciation and understanding of the many groundbreaking styles of art continuing to develop worldwide after visiting the museum.

Learning about Taiwan’s scientific history and the ways it has had an impact on the global economy was also fascinating. For example, I didn’t realize that Taiwan has been such a dominant force in the tennis racket industry. At certain points, according to the museum, Taiwan has produced 95% of the tennis rackets in the world. As a tennis player myself, it was cool to learn that and to also see photos of some of my favorite tennis players (like Roger Federer) using Taiwan-made rackets. The museum talked much about Taiwan’s export strength and its domination of other markets (such as semiconductors). While this is stuff I knew a little about beforehand, it was still fascinating to read how Taiwan is able to be such an important exporter in key industries.

[jessc45]

Independent Excursion 1: Academic Cultural Reflection

For my Independent Excursion, I went to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial House. In this post, I’ll talk about my experience there, what I’ve learned about Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, and how it ties into Taiwanese culture.

Free writing

When looking to find a place to fulfill the independent excursion, I had initially planned on going to a museum like the National Museum of History. Unfortunately, most were closed! I found the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial House, and it immediately caught my eye. As a political science major, I thought it would be interesting to learn more about his life and impact as the founder of the Republic of China. I learned a lot about Chiang Kai-shek by visiting his house and memorial last week, but I felt as though I knew very little about Sun Yat-Sen, who is arguably just as historically important. Seeing that the house was 40 minutes away, I initially thought I should Uber or take the subway, but I felt active enough to walk there. It was a great (and free!) museum and park. While not massive in size, the house included a nice, small museum that taught me a lot about his life. The park included a statue of him, some small ponds, and pretty greenery. I definitely enjoyed the experience, even if the place wasn’t as massive as some of the museums we have been to before. You also can’t beat free!

Academic Reflection

The cultural aspect I selected for this excursion is Taiwan's unique political history. This was a great experience in terms of gaining new knowledge on Taiwan’s cultural and political history through learning about one of its most important men. Before diving in too far, it’s important to give some context on who Dr. Sun Yat-Sen was and what he believed. Before going to the Memorial House, I knew little about him, other than the fact that he founded the Republic of China and the Kuomintang party on mainland China. For the assignment, I looked for academic research and found this article by Yu-long Ling titled “Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Doctrine and Impact on the Modern World”. Here is the JSTOR link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44288973.

The article discusses Sun Yat-sen’s leadership during the 1911 revolution (which overthrew the Manchurian Dynasty and instituted the Republic of China) and his political philosophy. The article emphasizes his revolutionary Three Principles of People philosophy: Nationalism, Democracy, and Social Welfare. He focused on uniting the nation of China (nationalism) but also giving liberties to its citizens (Democracy). Finally, with the social welfare principle, Yat-sen believed it was the responsibility of the government to provide a baseline quality of life for all citizens (akin to a welfare state) with an emphasis on feeding the hungry and housing the homeless. These principles continue to influence Taiwan to this day, and I think it is part of the reason it has been so successful. Taiwan’s strong democracy and welfare state are influenced by Sun's ideas, and it showcases how these ideas can lead to quality outcomes. The article praises how these ideas both fit with the consistencies and ever-changing factors of human nature. This is something I agree with: emphasizing keeping these 3 pillars stable, while still making necessary changes in times of turmoil, is a very smart guiding political philosophy. It's part of the reason Taiwan has navigated it's turmoil political history well.

I learned a lot about Sun Yat-sen at the memorial house. I felt as though the memorial house was similar to those of Chong Kai-shek, in that it felt, in some ways, influenced by a personality cult of sorts. It is clear that the reverence for Sun Yat-sen is above that of the typical politician. However, I do not believe this one was nearly as extreme as those of Chong Kai-shek. He also seems to be a less controversial figure than Chong Kai-shek due to Kai-shek's white terror rule. One thing I learned was that Sun Yat-sen is well respected in both the Republic of China (Taiwan) AND the People’s Republic of China (Mainland China). This surprised me a lot, as my general understanding of the political tensions between the countries would think this would be contradictory. It makes more sense when you realize that he died in 1925, before the Chinese Civil War that divided Taiwan and the mainland. I also didn’t know that he wrote the national anthem of Taiwan, or that he influenced how the national flag looks!

To conclude, I wanted to discuss a little more about what I learned about Taiwanese culture specifically through this tour. Taiwan's unique political history has clear, continuing influences on its culture. Taiwan's political situation is very much influenced by cultural factors (for example, the debate over Chinese vs Taiwanese nationalism). By learning about one of their most important figures, I feel as though I know more about the country’s guiding philosophy. The Three Principles, for example, tell me that the country emphasizes unity, liberty, and welfare as founding goals. In comparing it to the U.S. culture, this is in many ways similar. The U.S. also has founding principles in nationalism and democracy, while the social welfare aspect is a little more controversial. While we do clearly have social services to promote social welfare (Social Security and Medicare are two examples), I wouldn’t necessarily call it a founding principle of the nation, and it is not as encompassing as Taiwan's. It is also more politically controversial in the U.S.; a consistent debate in the country is over whether the government should do more to improve social welfare or be less involved. In some ways, the nation's reverence for Sun Yat-sen feels similar to the way the U.S. views George Washington. Both are, in many ways, similar because of their work as revolutionary founders of their respective countries. I chose this cultural aspect not just because of my political science studies, but because I feel as though understanding the Republic’s founding leaders and principles helps me know more about the country's history and what it strives to be.

[jessc45]

July 15th - Taipei to Kaohsiung

Free writing

Today was the day we got to travel across Taiwan! I slept in until 10:30 and got my stuff packed to check out. I went back for the second day in a row to the small pork pun stand. It’s right next to the hotel, cheap, yummy, and pre-ready. It’s a great deal!  We then left for the high-speed rail station. It was amazing! All of the shops and restaurants in the underground station! I got some food (another pork bun) and walked around for a bit. We then boarded the train. It was awesome! Very clean, tons of leg room, and it moved so fast! We were able to cross the country in less than an hour and a half. Afterwards, we drove to our new hotel in Kaohsiung. This hotel is super nice. We have a great river view, much more spacious rooms, and larger beds. I walked around the nearby area and really enjoyed it. It definitely has a different feeling than Taipei; while still a large city, it doesn’t feel as massive as Taipei. I got some dinner at a Chinese restaurant that was, funnily enough, U.S.-themed. After going back to the hotel, I watched some TV with some of the group. We decided we were still hungry, so we walked to McDonald's. I thought it tasted basically the same as U.S. McDonald's. Now I am going to get some sleep.

Academic Reflection

Despite it mostly being a travel day today, I learned a lot about Taiwan. One thing I learned much more about is high speed rail. I have never been on a high-speed rail, and I loved it. I’ve always been annoyed that the U.S. does not have one, and I’m even more supportive of us implementing it. Yeh Laoshi said that the train was traveling at 182 miles per hour, which is just amazing to me. It’s incredible how it’s able to move across the country so quickly. I feel like a train connecting the northeast coast of the U.S. (maybe from Atlanta to Boston) would be incredibly useful in the U.S. 

I also learned more about Kaohsiung. The website linked to the schedule says it’s Taiwan’s second biggest city. It’s also located on a harbor, which provides it with a lot of resources. Its skyline is not as spectacular as that of Taipei, but it still includes multiple gorgeous skyscrapers. I’m really excited to learn more about the city and visit all of the monuments.

[jessc45]

July 14th - Taipei

Free writing

Another free day! Today, I slept in because I stayed up a little late watching the Alcaraz-Sinner Wimbledon tennis final. When I got up, I walked over to get some cheap (40 NTD) pork dumplings at a nearby stand that I had been to before. I knew I needed to do my independent excursion, but I wasn’t sure where to go. I decided to go to the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial House, since he applies to my major as the founder of the Republic of China and the Kuomintang party. I was about to Uber there, but I decided to take the 40-minute walk. It was a really nice walk; I got a latte on the way (I bet that will surprise my parents). The heat did start getting to me towards the end. The memorial was a nice park and museum. I will talk more about it when I make my independent excursion 1 post soon, but for now, I will say that I learned a lot about the figure and enjoyed the (free) museum. Afterwards, I did a quick workout in the park and showered. I have not been working out much on this trip, which I’m starting to feel a little bad about. I try to make myself feel better by saying that I’m walking a lot more than I usually do (which is true). At 4, I joined Peter and the group for the optional trip to light some lanterns. I’m mad at myself because I can’t remember the name of the area we went to, but it is a rare place that allows lantern lighting. After about a 40-minute drive, I was amazed to see the red, floating lanterns in the sky. Mitchell, Tian, An Qi, and I shared a lantern to light. I wrote a wish on the side (I wished for good luck and world peace, which might be a little generic but oh well), and then we sent it off! Holding the lantern up while it was lit was a little difficult because it was so hot! It was very nice to see it float away; I’ve always seen the lanterns in the movies and was excited to do it. I do wish it were nighttime, but nonetheless, it was fun. After eating some fried squid (I liked it), we headed back. I was still hungry later, so Mitchell and I got some fried rice. It was super yummy! It was arguably some of the best fried rice I’ve ever had, and I’ve eaten fried rice for years. I can’t decide if I’m going to do anything else tonight. I’m excited for the high-speed rail to Kaoshiung tomorrow!

[jessc45]

July 13th - Yilan to Taipei

Free writing

This morning, I slept in until 10 and got ready to check out of our hotel in Yilan. We headed towards the Shiding Old Street, an old mining street in the middle of the mountains. I really liked this area! The mountains were pretty, the water was nice, and it was cool to see the local shops. I ate some fried dumplings at a little restaurant. They were good, but a little spicy for me! Back on the bus, I took a nice nap (I was sleepy today). We then went on a gondola in Taipei. So many amazing sights! It was very cool to look at the Taipei skyline and the mountains. It also really showcased just how much Taipei 101 towers over the city. While I had a great time, I started getting very hot in the gondolas and outside. I’m still not quite used to the temperature here. After checking back into the FX Hotel in Taipei and taking (another) nap, I decided I wanted to go to a nearby theater to watch the new Superman movie. I’ve been excited to see it, and was also craving some popcorn. I walked about ten minutes to the theater and got my tickets, popcorn, and a Coca-Cola. The movie was English with Mandarin subtitles, and the theater screen was smaller than what I’m used to in the U.S. I’m not sure if that was just this theater or if that is common here. I really liked the movie! It was very hopeful, and I love all the new characters. After, I called my parents and talked to them for a long time while walking around the park. Hi Mom and Dad!

Academic Reflection

I feel like I learn a little more about Taiwan every day I’m here. I’m still surprised by something new every day. The Shiding Old Street was very interesting to me. The article explains that the area was first developed by the Han Chinese, who largely used it to grow tea and leeks. The area boomed during Japanese colonization as a mining town, but has died out due to lower coal prices. The street kind of felt like a place stuck in time, with the shops reminiscent of a past era compared to the more modern Taipei. I liked seeing this one shop where a man was making a stringed instrument (I recognized the instrument, but the name fails me right now).

I learned some other surprising things throughout the day. The gondola showcased something that has fascinated me throughout the trip; just about anywhere you look in the mountains, you will likely see a home or temple by itself somewhere. I think the fact that there are temples in relatively remote parts of the mountains is very cool. I even felt like I learned something going to the movies. Coming to Taiwan, I wasn’t sure if the Hollywood movies would be Mandarin dubbed or English with Mandarin subtitles. I thought the fact that the movie and all trailers were in English with subtitles was interesting. With most of the posters being Hollywood movies, I think it’s interesting how much Hollywood dominates the global industry, even in a country so far away. It’s probably a small part of the reason why a lot of people understand English here (other than education). They likely grew up seeing many English movies in theaters, which could definitely help speed up learning.