北投 地热谷 (Běitóu Dìrè Gǔ)

On 12/14/12, we went to 北投 (Běitóu), the exact location was 新北投 (Xīn Běitóu).  This area is known for it's natural hot-springs.  As you can see from the map below there is a lot to see and do.  We decided we would check out the location know as 地热谷 (Dìrè Gǔ) or Thermal Valley.

During the Japanese occupation (1895-1945), of Taiwan, the natural hot-springs were discovered and developed into a tourist attraction.

地热谷 (Dìrè Gǔ) or Thermal Valley

The Origin: Natural Sulfur Gas Geyser

Temperature: 80-100°C-You my know this, but, 100 °C is 212 °F the point at which water boils.  Can you see the tiny bubbles?  Needless to say this is not where you stick you feet in or take a relaxing dip!

Quality of Spring: Acid, Melanterite Spring, also known as green sulfur

PH Value: 1.2-1.6

Self-Portrait, Circa 2012

Artist: Known as 狄仁杰 (Dí Rénjié)

Location: 地热谷 (Dìrè Gǔ)

Artistic Inspiration: Unknown

Just a a short distance away you can frolic in a lukewarm stream that originates from the Thermal Valley.  There are also spots where you can be completely immersed.

This gentleman and his wife noticed us at the Thermal Valley and came over to say hello (his English is exceptional and I think, when he saw us, he was eager to to use it; we shocked him when we spoke back in Chinese).  They proceeded to accompany us for the duration of our visit.  He was very informative and his wife (who couldn't speak any English) was really sweet, every time we didn't pronounce something correctly she would have us repeat after her.  

They wanted to know why we were in Taiwan; we explained our purpose (to study the Chinese language).  A little later the wife wanted to know what our motivation was. We, then, explained that we were Jehovah's Witnesses (Christians) and we volunteer our time to teach others about the bible and that we specifically spend our time teaching Chinese speaking people. The husband then had a question about paying tithes (this surprised us, we had never been asked this question by a Chinese person before, but, he said he has a Christian friend who told him about this).  We were able to show him a scripture, using our iPod, and explain our beliefs regarding this...etc.  This is the first of three times, so far, we were able to use an electronic device to share bible information with someone.  (P.S.: I am not saying to go and purchase a tablet :-) )

The photo above is when we parted at one of the MRT stops.

淡水 (Dànshuǐ/Tamsui)

As you may recall me mentioning before, we arrived to Taipei on 12/8/12.  It was raining that night & it rained on & off everyday until 12/13/12 (Thursday).  Needless to say at the first sign of sunshine we were off...
We meet up with Ting x2 & Xiaowei at a local tourist attraction called Dànshuǐ (although on the subway map it's called Tamsui not Dànshuǐ, so  for the entire MRT ride we weren't really sure if we were going to end up in the correct location, but we did).

Now, I have had calamari several times before, back home. I don't know why but, for some reason seeing the entire, kind of large, squid on a stick was...well...um different.  I do have to admit after the food vendor yells, "要 辣 Yào Là" (want spicy-hot) & we answer, "我 要 辣 Wǒ Yào Là" ( I want spicy), then he/she sprinkles a whole bunch of spicy something, a giant squid on a stick becomes appetizing. Actually, Sam was excited from the moment he laid his eyes on the sea creatures.

I can't remember the correct terminology for these two dishes, but it is traditional Taiwanese (not Chinese) food & the restaurant we ate it at is famous in the area.

We captured a lot of food items...round fried egg wrapped with tiny fish, if you look closely you can see the fish eyes. 

Not sure what is in the middle of these shells, but Sam tried one...samples were free after all.

Dànshuǐ is a really pretty location, know also for it's sunsets.  Our photos don't do it enough justice.

This a screen shot of Sam practicing the lesson we learned that day.  Xiaowei & Ting x2 were testing him.  Please try to picture how this looked and sounded to the locals...Sam would start off & mid-sentence he would stop say wait and then start again and then get excited when he recalled the correct word. The whole time we would throw back words or questions at him. This went on, rather loudly,  for 5-10 minutes.  It's hard to see but the boys on the other bench, in the background were mesmerized, they were looking the entire time (they kinda turned away when I finally got my camera out).  At, first I thought they were laughing at him; they weren't.  When I got a better look, their expressions read, "加油 Jiāyóu" or "You can do it!".  They seemed relieved when Sam was done...haha.

中國文化大學 (Zhōngguó Wénhuà Dàxué)

We catch the bus to & from school; below is our bus stop.

This gentleman is a part of our morning routine.  He comes along & sweeps up all the leaves & the trash that doesn't make it into the trash can.  He does the entire sidewalk & I have noticed workers like this on other streets in our neighborhood.  As, a result the area we live in has a very clean appearance.

If I do not cook oatmeal, this is our usual breakfast.  The entire meal cost around $1.00USD per person and is freshly made right when you order.  The pancake looking thing is called 蛋饼 Dànbǐng. It is basically a pan fried egg wrap in a slightly thick crêpe. You can add ham or cheese or whatever you like. Very yummy! Once, I asked for veggies to be added & ended up with iceberg lettuce & cucumbers, which wasn't bad, but I haven't asked for veggies again...since I had envisioned peppers & onions...ha.

Before we came Sam stated, "that he wasn't going to bother learning to read/write characters".  He just wanted to improved his conversational skills.  He quickly changed his mind. Learning the characters makes it easier to remember the words.  In addition, it makes much more sense then just relying on the phonetics.  So, far we probably know about a combined total of 20/30 characters (some of which we knew before we came).  Only, 3,970 to go...mmm...on second thought...

Our Chinese Surname.

I really am studying!

A private study room in the library.  The library is awesome, you can eat, drink, and talk in a certain part of it. It also, has a small cafe which caters to us 外国人们 Wàiguó Rénmen (you know this word now, right?) so, I was able to get a regular sandwich on a soft warm piece of french bread.

Yes, this is in the women's lavatory & yes this is the exact angle, I didn't turn the camera.  I need not add any more detail for this photo....

On the MRT, studying after class.  When we are on the MRT Sam claims that people often look or stare at us...he's just delusional!

我们 的 中国的 会众 (Wǒmen de Zhōngguó de Huìzhòng.)

Our first meeting was 12/14/12 (Friday evening); it was the bible study, ministry school, & service meeting.  The congregation's name is 萬華 Wànhúa.

The above photos is the entrance to our Kingdom Hall.  Take a close look, there is no sign indicating that this is the Kingdom Hall.  This is because property is extremely expensive & limited in Taipei; as a result the brothers & sisters do not have the privilege of building their own facility ( like we do in America).  Instead, they rent space in an office or residential building.

The space is small, but suited well for meetings.  The are about 70 publishers & and 100 in attendance on Sundays.  Wànhúa has at least one Special Pioneer & there is a missionary couple that have been in Taiwan for 14+ years. There are many bible studies that attend regularly.  Also, we got to see a few publishers give their first ministry school assignments.  One who gave her first part ever (she is an unbaptized publisher); others who gave their first assignment in Chinese.  There are many 外国人们 Wàiguó rénmen (foreigners); some of which are from Korea, Japan, Spain, Mexico, & America.

很可爱 Hěn kě'ài (very cute)

Every brother & sister is so helpful.  No matter how hard we struggle to speak they are never impatient!  Also, I appreciate that they allow us to use our bad Chinese; many can speak English, but they don't switch to English on us as if to say, "It will be easier for you, Wàiguó rén, if we use English".  By, the way, this sister is helping Sam learn the characters for his new Chinese given name, which is 人杰 Rénjié.  It means outstanding personality or hero & yes someone else actually gave him this name.  He didn't choose it for himself. 

The Kingdom Hall is also shared with a sign language congregation.  Here are a few of the friends who attend.  They wanted to know our names, but neither of us know sign language.  The sister on the right had a great idea for us to simply write down our names, but...sad to say...neither of us can write in Chinese...well the characters we know are not our names...lol.  Then we remembered we have bible names!  Sam whipped out his Chinese bible & quickly pointed to our names. We were all extremely happy to meet & communicate with yet more of our Christian brothers & sisters :)

The Field Service arrangements are posted on the information board weekly.  The friends do not meet at the Hall; they meet directly in the territory, sometimes at a home, but usually on the corner of two streets.  Our Taiwanese brothers & sisters waste no time getting started!