Weather is getting cooler...

Hi, All,

We didn't believe our colleagues. They said the weather would get cooler and it has happened this week. Skip and I have moved to long pants and long sleeves -- our Taiwanese colleagues are wearing jackets. We are into a fairly regular routine -- having a teaching schedule seems to do that -- it gets your life organized. Because parks and local attractions are very busy on weekends, we have been working on the weekends and visiting sites at the beginning of the week.

On Monday we took the train from Taipei to Taroko National Park. It is a park with very high cliffs made mostly of marble. It is amazing. We stayed at a B&B just at the entrance of the park. Two former middle school teachers operate the B&B. Their daughter completed an MSW at NTU and is completing a Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis. It was a great place with views of the Pacific and the mountains. The B&B arranged an English speaking guide for us. He is also a retired middle school teacher. He was very knowledgeable about stories of the gorge from aboriginal times, Japanese occupation, and current situation with respect to the aboriginal people living within the park. We also had an opportunity to see a traditional grave yard that was on the beach in Hualein. Because of the strong currents, the ocean is very dangerous. It is also the side of the island that typhoons often hit so it is not so popular. After living in Hawai'i, it is so interesting to see the beach not being used for tourists. Also, the beach is made from -- yes you guessed it marble rocks. It reminded me of Lake Superior. I understand the rock hunting on the beach is very good.

It was very interesting to visit this area. While we were in the gorge on a high mountain meadow, we experienced a small earthquake. Because of the action of tectonic plates, the mountains in Taiwan are growing several inches each year. It is constantly moving and changing.

We continue to enjoy our time here, but wish we knew Mandarin. We are thankful to all the people who help us in English or interpret our "body language." Taroko pictures coming soon.