Day 15: Back to Tainan City

Friday, 2nd of March. We left Chiyai city on Friday morning to return to Tainan city in South of Taiwan where the Rotary district conference was supposed to happen. Felt like returning home from a long vacation at the country side. We had a great lunch with Italian Pasta and Illy coffee, and Japanese ice cream with a taste of green tea or brown sugar. Now we live in a B&B hotel designed by Taiwanese architect and it feels absolutely like home in Europe – everythning is bright, minimalistic and design by wood, glass and stone. Perfect!

In the evening a huge dinner was served in honour of Rotary Conference and for the first time it was us who were traveling around the tables to drink „bottoms up” ( „combai” / „for tollar” in Taiwanese) with all the club members. Usually people used to come to our table, but now we had a chance at this was fun. Many guests had arrived, and we met people that we had met during the previous weeks. 

Day 12: Photos

Day 13: Photos

Day 14: Photos

Day 14: Last day in Chiayi City

Our two week anniversary in Taiwan was also our last day in Chiayi City. The day started in the countryside 40 minutes away from Guanko hotel. At Bantaoyao Craft Studio of Jiao-Zhi Pottery we had a ”do-it-yourself” experience when we made mosaic plates from colourful ceramic tiles. Markus made a Swedish flag, Janis the Latvian Freedom monument, Anna a self-portrait and Dana a heart.

The weather were very pleasant. About 25 centigrade, clear blue sky and no wind what so ever. Much like a perfect north European summer day. After the usual 1,5 hour lunch the bus took us to a combined incense factory and museum. A vital part of the Taiwanese religious ceremony involves burning scented sticks to awaken and contact the gods. We visited they who manufacture the incense sticks. The production follows a nine step program and takes two days to complete.

In the evening we went to a music show some 25 minutes outside of Chiayi, near the city’s water reservoir. Our god friend Mr. Tank brought presents to the team and entertained us as well. Tomorrow means transfer to Tainan and preparations before the Rotary District Conference. 

Day 13: Chiayi City

We continue our visit at this city to the Chiayi City government. Delegation is met by the mayor  - Mrs. Huang Ming-Hui - a charming lady who leads the city towards cultural and social development.

The next stop is Chiayi Hong Jen Christian Girl School where we are overwhelmingly welcomed by professors and 12-17 old girls. We are definitely stars here - followed with screams, laughs, photo cameras etc. Professors invites us to give 2 short lessons, and we are happy to have an input , so we teach a Latvian folk song "Bēdu manu lielu bēdu", as well as few words in Swedish and Latvian.

We also have a spontaneous visit at a Taiwanese artist's wood carve exhibition that is a gift from the mayor. The evening ends with dinner at the meeting of 4 Rotari clubs.

Day 12: Chiayi City

Tuesday starts with a perfect breakfast. The hotel crew had noticed that we do not eat any of traditional food in the mornings, so they asked us on Monday, what we would like to have, and  now we had fresh fruits, eggs, bacon, vegetable and cheese in a western style. An unexpected change. And also yesterday our hosts changed the dinner reservation to a restaurant where a western food is served. Though it is a rare exception, as it seems not be polite to not to feed guests with the best they have, i.e., Taiwanese food at the buffet restaurant (which we call Round Table).  But we were happy.

We also visit local Chiayi City Historical Relic Museum where we got to know more about earthquakes, Tropic of Cancer and about Koji Pottery. Actually there was an earthquake on Saturday in Taiwan, but we were in mountains, so we did not feel it at all!

 The last few days our transportation  is a small bus with 2 TV screens in it. It is still a free day in Taiwan, but our vocational visits continue. We had a walk under umbrellas in Chiayi Park, where we also saw a Confucian Temple, Japanese house and teenagers making photos of each other dressed in costumes of different characters.

In the evening we enjoyed a large "Swedish table" at Nice Prince Hotel, for the first time in 2 weeks we had a possibility to eat potatoes as well as a lot of delicious American and German ice cream!

It seems something has changed here, and the team can have a little rest from the culture shock.