Heidi's Blog » Pictures

Moon Festival Weekend

heidibriones — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:04:17 +0000

The Mid-Autumn Festival recently passed here in Taiwan. It is also known as the Moon Festival and is a national holiday. I gathered a group of ten Native Speaking Teachers from around the island and we headed to Puli. We camped out there for a few days. We spent our days going on river hikes, kayaking on Sun Moon Lake, and enjoying the local hot springs. However, we had the great pleasure of being invited to a traditional Moon Festival Barbecue. It was the most authentic Taiwanese thing that I’ve had the pleasure to experience yet. Get ready to laugh though. One of my friends got a video of me dancing at said party.

I also took some photos that weekend.

This was the view from our beautiful campsite.

Some talented teachers hiking up a river!

We kayaked on this amazing lake.

Here is a shot of the small town of Puli in central Taiwan.

The view from our campsite at night.

An early morning view.

A paraglider cruises by the campsite.

Overall, I learned that some things are transcultural. Good food, great friends, amazing photos, and unforgettable memories are cherished all over the globe.

Technorati Tags: taiwan, beautiful, pictures, sun moon lake, puli, video

Taiwan is beautiful

heidibriones — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 06:49:51 +0000

It truly is. Although the streets are crowded, noisy and polluted. Although the bete l nut grin of the local can be too much to bear at times. Although the stares of the elderly are daunting at 7:00 am. Although there seems to be a overwhelming feeling of solitude for the foreigner.

A trip not too far outside the city of Taichung can remind you of the beauty that exists without trying. While your city days are filled with minor frustrations, screaming children, and the occasional scooter dodge, the great outdoors continue to exist in peace.

In this, I remind you to escape from the grind today. Even if you only visit a local park or pause to look at a bird nesting in a tree, take that moment. Take that moment and know that I am sharing the beauty of life with you. Take it now before life continues to pass by at such a rapid rate. Take it now and realize that somewhere, right now, there is a beautiful waterfall in a tropical forest that continues to flow whether you take this time or not.

My first picture to share

heidibriones — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:28:26 +0000

I just uploaded a bunch of pictures and video. I want to sort everything out and organize it a bit more before making a real blog post. However, I figured that you want to at least one picture to prove that I’m actually in Taiwan. I am, indeed, in Taiwan.

This is a picture at a local temple near my hotel in Taipei.

I hope all is well with everyone back home. I miss you all very much. I’m learning to be an amazing teacher and I’m having a great time with all my new teacher friends. Soon I will meet my students and begin to have an impact on their lives. I’m looking forward to sharing EVERYTHING with you.