A View From Our Roof

Funny we did not post a picture of this earlier but here is a view of our school (the first building in the middle of the shot) from our apt rooftop. It has been clear lately and we are enjoying it before the rainy spring!

Other Countries Protesting

By Europe correspondent Rafael Epstein

Leaders from the Czech Republic and Poland have declined invitations to
attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing, in protest
of recent crackdowns on Tibetan protesters. Czech President Vaclav Klaus says those who voted to give the Games to China should now not be surprised by the recent trouble.

"China is what it is," he said.Mr Klaus and some Czech ministers will
boycott the ceremony.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk questioned whether world leaders
should attend, given China's conduct. "The presence of politicians at the Games'inauguration seems inappropriate," he said. Mr Tusk says he will try to convince other European Union countries that they should speak out more strongly on the issue of Tibet.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is currently visiting London,
repeated that he may also boycott the ceremony.

But British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he will be attending.

The Beautiful East Coast of Taiwan

A great view from one of our hikes in Toroko Gorge National Park. This place is made up of four elements: rock, water, tunnels, and bridges!


This is our camping site in Toroko. Free camping with water, bathrooms, cold showers, great views, and good access to trails!


JP crossing a seriously long and high suspension bridge over the gorge. Yeah JP!!


We just finished a pretty intense hike and are surrounded by beautiful mountains, and cool abandoned homes for retired Veterans.

Tibet

The 2008 summer games are right around the corner. The torch started today from Athens to make the trip to Beijing. The games has brought a tremendous opportunity for the world to take a look at the country, politics, and government in China. As consumers of media the individual viewer holds a handful of power that says "yes" I support this or "no" I don't. The current information blackouts in Tibet by the PRC government, Tibetan monks and citizens dead or injured, the Secretary of States travel warning to all U.S citizens traveling to China for the games, and the reminder that these games that support international sportsmanship are taking place in a country where human rights is not on the agenda.

Because of Tibet and also the tenuous position that democratic Taiwan holds in the continued strained cross-strait relations with China and the world, I have decided not to watch the games this time around. You can do it too if you feel the same, don't watch the Olympics. It may be small but tv is linked to viewership which is linked to $$$$.

Postcard Wall Update

Send some if you got some just laying around wanting a home. The count is at about 112 cards.

Mongolian Hot Pot

We took J.P. and some friends to Mongolian styled hot pot. The pot is divided into spicy(red/brown) and regular(cloudy). We put veggies, tofu (3 different kinds), lamb, and some other stuff. There were tons of spices, herbs, and roots floating around to make a yummy concotion of goodness. Very enjoyable on a rainy spring day.

We Love Friends Coming to Taiwan

The boys back together again. J.P came to visit Taiwan for 1 week. We LOVED it! It was wonderful to have him here. It gave both of a fresh look at the cool things here in TW. They are in front of the National Palace Museum in Taipei.

Check This NY Times Article on Taipei

NY Times has a slick section in Travel that does 36 hours in a city. They did Taipei awhile back. There are some really nice pictures on the slide show. And some highlights of our metropolition home away from home.

Check it out!


http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/travel/02hours.html

Kenting

What do you think this sign means? If you guessed becareful for poisoness wasps, centipedes, and snakes you earn a gold star. And beware we were, 'cause really we didn't know what to do if we came across one. We did have a moment when something flew at Jonathan's face and he did the "oh my goodness" dance. I think it was a leaf he thinks it was a wasp. This was inside Kenting National Park.

Walking in the sandy space the tide leaves behind.

Kenting is at the southern tip of Taiwan. It is the place on the island where folks come for sandy beaches, blue water, and a change of pace from their city lives. For us it was a break from the cold. If you hike to the highest point in Kenting National Park on a clear day you can see the first island of the Philippines.

Yangmingsan

Went to a mountain in Taipei County for a flower festival, but many of the trees were done blooming. Hard to time the events of Mother Nature!