Wednesday, 4 April 2007
On a tribute to my grandfather: Actions are so much louder than words
I have been thinking a lot about my grandfather Ventura of late. My grandfather, my father's father was an unusual man. He was one of those people that seem larger than life by their very presence, and not by their seemingly inexhaustible energy, exuberance or loud abrasive behaviour. He was like a deep river carrying along wisdom and life everywhere he went. His hawk like roman features weathered by the elements. He was a man familiar with hard work, struggle and loss. I remember how after my grandmother passed he would make his way to her grave site faithfully, devoted. He would tend her grave lovingly as if it was his dear wife. He had eyes that would pierce right through you. Near the time he passed away my father brought him over to visit. I think he knew it was nearly time for my grandfather and wanted us to have some time with him before it was too late. Near the end of his visit he decided to work in the garden. He would not be dissuaded. Old and fragile he trimmed back an overgrown thorn bush that had encroached the side of the house. His skin torn and back bent, my father pleaded with him to stop and rest but my grandfather would have nothing of it. I remember him lying on his bed, weary but content. He looked at me over his hawk like nose. At the time I didn't understand that he was teaching us. He was letting his actions instruct us. Actions are so much louder than words. His lesson was about doing the right thing, about having passion until the end. It was about doing the hard work that sometimes life requires and not stopping until the goal has been achieved. I loved him then and I still do. That summer I planted a lemon verbena tree in the garden and made him some tea from its leaves. It was invigorating and I could see he was pleased. My grandfather, a champion of life.
Saturday, 31 March 2007
On Dylan the granny magnet...
Surrounded by grannies that could not resist to poke and stroke him but still fast asleep...
On a magical little place called Lukang
Lukang has always been one of our favorite places...when we arrived in Changhua a few years ago...exhausted from a 32 hour no sleep jaunt...that very weekend the first place we went to was Lukang. We went there by bicycle...its a little further away than a ride to your local general dealer but it was fantastic. On the way to Lukang there are many craft stores that specialise in religious objects...it is not uncommon to see the gods reclining or standing within the entrance ways of store after store. They're beautifully made and one can't help but feel the spiritual energy hum around your ears and vibrate against your eyes as the overwhelming sights and sounds of the place press up against you. Lukang is a deeply spiritual place...though it has become a little more commercialised of late. I love Matsu and Longshan temple...Heather brought me to this place first...another reason amongst millions of reasons why I love her so much...That first day we stood at the Matsu temple watching a priest or monk in religious ecstasy leading the gods into the temple in a complex choreographed dance. He would freeze every once in a while in his trance, his sword stretched out towards the temple gates and his back dripping blood and sweat. I love Lukang. We wandered through the alley of nine turns...remnants of old Lukang...Japanese occupied Lukang...we listened to the quite whisper of old things recounting the old stories of countless generations that had lived there... Today we went there once more and I remembered why I love it here so much...I reconnected with that time and place in my memories. First we visited and the dutch house...now a museum of folk art or something...remarkable place...magical. Heather was working...she's helping her students with a project...Dylan and I were along for the ride. Dylan was uber-cool...relaxed and checking everything out from his stroller. He liked the kids and played with them whenever they had time to spare. We then wandered through the old alley ways and took in old Lukang...it was great to be back.
Below: The dutch house....probably some sort of government outpost in its day...
Above: Cool Chinese dude shows the kids how to play a game.
Above: In the alley of nine turns...this house is of historical significance...on and under the bridge intellectuals, poets and artists of the time used to meet to discuss things. Below: The oldest house in Lukang.
Above: In the wonderful food market near the Matsu temple....
On Dylan moving at the 'speed of light'
Dylan at McDonalds on Friday was moving at the speed of light...its difficult to capture how fast he moves sometimes so I played around with Heather's panorama function...
He was so super cute and brave this night...climbing everything and going boldly where he had not been before...Dylan the brave...
On a walk in the park after dark
Winter is going...gone and we three bears are out of hibernation....Friday nights are cool....the weathers becoming warmer and spring is in the air...its lovely to stroll in the evening with Heather and Dylan along the many park walkways. A nice little family tradition is forming...Heather comes home from work at about 7:30...and we set off. This park is across from the science museum and is always nice whether daytime or night. Some wild skaters were ruining the mojo a little but still nice..still polite and very hip and cool...
Above: Heather the gorgeous and Dylan the cool...
Taiwanese people are amongst the most polite and friendliest people in the world...We love them and their open 'heartedness'.
Friday, 30 March 2007
On recently trawling through some art galleries
Canonization of the gods: The wonderland in saha world of maha...mmm....an unusual title for this exhibit...the artist, Yang Mao-lin, mixed in religious symbols and imagery with bugs (very popular theme for toy makers and children at moment in Taiwan) and characters from Peter Pan. I thought the overall impression quite cool and escapist. The sculptures are beautifully worked off and I loved the playful aspect to it all, the mixture of sacred and common.
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