Yangmingshan's Exploration and Dharma

The day before yesterday was amazing and very beautiful. We first went to Yangmingshan National Park and hiked the Balaka Trail for a couple hours viewing and learning about all the different types of plant and insect species. One of the first things I noticed while on the trial was this leaf that appeared to have little bumpy dots on it. I was wondering what this was until graciously Heng-An Ling told me Dr. Chi-Wei Tsai told her it  was insect gall.  I was very fascinated by this because it looked similar yet different to the crown gall I had learned about in plant pathology lab.

While walking along the trail I also happened to spot a tiny little button mushroom that looked very lonesome but cute because it was all by itself. Although I only know that it was a Basidiomycete, I do not know what particular species it was. I wonder if it was poisonous?  Ahh there is so much to say but I saw so much! I saw a walking stick, lots of butterflies!, dameselfies, some hairy looking caterpillars, and even this poor snake that got run over L

On our next stop we head to the Siaoyoukeng Volcanic site. Our tour guide was this dear little old lady (dlol) named Nora. She was very nice and knowledgeable. At this dormant site there were many fumaroles which are essentially holes in the ground that spout out very hot sulfuric acid (smells like rotten eggs) from the earth’s crust and the park even had the formation of a little hot spring. 

She then took us to through a bamboo trail. It was very thick and tall and seemed sort of like a maze. What surprised me the most to find out about this bamboo was that it only blooms once every 60 years! It is said that if you come and see the little white flowers that bloom you will have good fortune. I hope that maybe one day I will get to see this.

Lastly on this very long day, we went to the Beitou Hot Spring Museum and the Thermal Valley. I have always wanted to go to a hot spring because it seems mystical. But what I loved the most about the museum was the traditional Japanese style Tatami lobby! So beautiful! This day was very, very, very long and to think we were still going to have Chinese class! I was very grateful to Jack yesterday for letting us have dinner with some of the NTU and Chinese students instead. Thank you!

Now for today. I apologize for this post being so long, but I hope the pictures keep you reading J. We started the day off with arts and craft at Jingshan Blue Dye. Here we got to tie dye our own handkerchief with some cool designs the instructor taught us. I have to admit this was challenging and I felt like a little kid again because they had such small tables and chairs for us to sit on. The dye that was supplied actually came from the Indigo plant. And what they do is they take the leaves and put them in a big pot which some chemicals to make the dye. I thought everyone’s handkerchief came out great. 

Next went to the Dharma Drum Mountain. It actually was a Buddhist College that greatly emphasized not religion but the importance of “releasing your vexations”. Our tour guide really wanted us to feel our inner spiritual being and I suppose to feel enlightened. He told us the founder Master Sheng Yen established this temple making sure the environment was preserved. I really enjoyed this place because it allowed me to experience of a whole new life very different from my own. I only wish I could I have taken more pictures but it wasn’t allowed. But the free books and holy water made up for it J

Next we headed to the Juming Museum. If anyone I know ever comes to Taiwan I would definitely recommend this place. It was full of fun art and statues by craftsman Ju Ming. He even created Taichi statues. Toward the end of the tour, I came across some wall art that said hola created by local artist and it remembered me of home. Although at the end we had the chance to buy souvenirs, I regret not buying anything. Oh well, next time I suppose.

Today was not a very long day compared to yesterday but I think ending the day with Calligraphy class was very soothing. I was still tired but it was very fun. I really admire Ivy and her club mates on their craftsmanship. It’s truly amazing because they make it so easy! Today I drew wood, moon, and water. I can’t quite remember what else. I'll post them soon.

I hope tomorrow is another fun and interesting day and glad Rebecca will be able to join us today and happy Alicia just slept in and nothing more. Goodnight :)