Chinese New Year Part 1
The following posts will come in a series as I have been rather busy enjoying my Chinese New year vacation. At the time of writing, I am sitting in the hotel lobby of the Grand Formosa Taroko, borrowing some time to share my stories. It's nestled in the middle of Taroko Gorge, the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Green mountains all around, and through the middle a river runs of the most stunning blue.
Susan, Brian, and I spent the last few days hiking. On Wednesday, we went to the Enternal Spring Shrine, a temple built right into the side of the mountains with a waterfall flowing out from beneath it. Yesterday, we climbed to the highest buddha in Taiwan and had a picnic of indigenous fruits. We were staying at a small hotel in Hualien, about 30-40 minutes outside of the gorge. On our way back into town last night, we stopped at what looked like a night market. When we entered under teh large red gate, we saw a rooster of lights, and realized it was a celebration for the New Year, the year of the rooster. It was there that we saw an aboriginal dance, complete with singing and drums. Later we saw a great lion dance, with the men in costumes, tossing gold coins made of chocolate to the crowd. These coins are supposed to bring luck and money for the coming year. The lion dancers were acrobats as well, and one of the lions, jumped onto foot-sized platforms arranged going higher and higher. The front half of the lion jumped into the air and landed two foot places away and jumped up to stand on the knees of the bottom half of the lion. It was amazing. The grand finale of this traditional dance, had fireworks, costumes, children dancing. It was one of the most fantastic things I've ever seen. Susan, Brian, and I all agreed that it was great to have stumbled upon it.
Today, we decided to stay by thegorge for a few more days and we moved to a hostel inside it. We are staying in a large room with 22 beds, but for only 250 NT a night (9 USD), who can argue!?
We've already spent some time bathing in the hot springs, and hiking past clear pools, and waterfalls. I think tommorow we will check out some aboriginal villages and hike a bit more. it's been really great and I can't even envision heading back to the city! It's a huge time to come, so there are tons of visitors. It seems like they keep pouring in. The last two days were ok, but there were even traffic jams here today. It must be because the weekend is coming. The people are friendly as always and eager to try out their English. Susan said today, "I feel like a celebrity sometimes!" Every 20 feet a group of people calls out "Happy New Year!" or "Hello!" To which we reply "Shing Nien Kwai Le" (Happy New year) and smile at the resulting giggles. As i write this, a kid is standing behind me watching me like I'm a show! I've heard him say to his parents "blah blah blah weiguoren balh blah" ok, all I really caught was "foreigner" but it's interesting nonetheless.
Ok, three minutes left, so I'll wish you a Happy Chinese New Year! Stayed tuned for further installments!
Susan, Brian, and I spent the last few days hiking. On Wednesday, we went to the Enternal Spring Shrine, a temple built right into the side of the mountains with a waterfall flowing out from beneath it. Yesterday, we climbed to the highest buddha in Taiwan and had a picnic of indigenous fruits. We were staying at a small hotel in Hualien, about 30-40 minutes outside of the gorge. On our way back into town last night, we stopped at what looked like a night market. When we entered under teh large red gate, we saw a rooster of lights, and realized it was a celebration for the New Year, the year of the rooster. It was there that we saw an aboriginal dance, complete with singing and drums. Later we saw a great lion dance, with the men in costumes, tossing gold coins made of chocolate to the crowd. These coins are supposed to bring luck and money for the coming year. The lion dancers were acrobats as well, and one of the lions, jumped onto foot-sized platforms arranged going higher and higher. The front half of the lion jumped into the air and landed two foot places away and jumped up to stand on the knees of the bottom half of the lion. It was amazing. The grand finale of this traditional dance, had fireworks, costumes, children dancing. It was one of the most fantastic things I've ever seen. Susan, Brian, and I all agreed that it was great to have stumbled upon it.
Today, we decided to stay by thegorge for a few more days and we moved to a hostel inside it. We are staying in a large room with 22 beds, but for only 250 NT a night (9 USD), who can argue!?
We've already spent some time bathing in the hot springs, and hiking past clear pools, and waterfalls. I think tommorow we will check out some aboriginal villages and hike a bit more. it's been really great and I can't even envision heading back to the city! It's a huge time to come, so there are tons of visitors. It seems like they keep pouring in. The last two days were ok, but there were even traffic jams here today. It must be because the weekend is coming. The people are friendly as always and eager to try out their English. Susan said today, "I feel like a celebrity sometimes!" Every 20 feet a group of people calls out "Happy New Year!" or "Hello!" To which we reply "Shing Nien Kwai Le" (Happy New year) and smile at the resulting giggles. As i write this, a kid is standing behind me watching me like I'm a show! I've heard him say to his parents "blah blah blah weiguoren balh blah" ok, all I really caught was "foreigner" but it's interesting nonetheless.
Ok, three minutes left, so I'll wish you a Happy Chinese New Year! Stayed tuned for further installments!
posted by CJ at 1:35 AM
1 Comments:
Hi Cassie,
I've been waiting to read your next posting. I know a lot of people are following your whole experience in Taiwan and will be excited to see it as well. It sounds like you are having a wonderful time. I hope you are taking lots of pictures or at leasting buying some pictures to bring back. Send us an email when you have a chance.
Bye
Mom
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