Taiwan’s Glove Puppet Shows 布袋戲

A traditional art that is kept very much alive in Taiwan by lots of mobile glove puppet shows that travel around the country putting on shows outside temples, mainly these days for benefit of the deities in the temples.  This one I came across yesterday outside a small Taoist Temple in Sanzhi had loud speakers relaying the story and 2 puppet masters – but I was the other only person there…. The language of the puppet shows is Taiwanese and the stories are long, complicated and fast-moving… so I left them to it and continued on my way! Continue reading Taiwan’s Glove Puppet Shows 布袋戲

Ah, Taipei ~ City of Surprises!

In Freedom Plaza in front of C.K.S. Memorial today, the military were rehearsing ready for Armed Forces Day on Saturday September 3. So the last thing I expected to see up by the Memorial itself was possibly the world’s largest Doraemon made out of pinwheels or small windmills, thousands of ’em, all blowing in the breeze!  And sponsored by JCB Credit Card Co. It’s really quite amazing! Continue reading Ah, Taipei ~ City of Surprises!

Congratulations 何睿恩牧師 Joseph and 何師母 Angel on the birth of baby 何天愛!

Yes, baby Tien-Ai 天愛 has arrived safely in the world, thanks be to God!  She was born on August 4 in Taipei, so she’s 4 weeks old today ~ YES!  She’s the gorgeous brand-new baby daughter and first child of Rev. Joseph Jui-En Ho 何睿恩牧師 and his beautiful wife, Angel (Pei-Yin)! Until July 31, Joseph was vicar of Christ Church, Chungli, Taoyuan. On August 1 he started as vicar of St. Mark’s Church, Pingtung, which is the opposite end of Taiwan from here. That’s quite a big change all in one week ~ a new baby and a new church! Joseph … Continue reading Congratulations 何睿恩牧師 Joseph and 何師母 Angel on the birth of baby 何天愛!

The No. 1 National Taiwan Museum 國立台灣博物館 Tour with Amanda Lai 賴盈伃 ~ YES!

Yes, introducing one of my most delightful former students, Amanda, who spent 2 years of her early life with us at St. James’ Kindergarten, Taichung ~ and she’s now a student of art history at Tainan National University of the Arts.  All grown up and going places! This summer Amanda is an intern at the National Taiwan Museum in Taipei, another wow!  Her family are great friends of mine, and a few weeks ago, her mother took my visitors, Harriet and Nicky and me to visit the Rainbow Village in Taichung.  So with a bit of encouragement from Amanda’s mother, I … Continue reading The No. 1 National Taiwan Museum 國立台灣博物館 Tour with Amanda Lai 賴盈伃 ~ YES!

English Summer Camp @ Good Shepherd Church, Taipei ~ YES!

4 weeks of fun, 4 weeks of sun and heat (yes, not a typhoon in sight for 4 weeks, most unusual!), 4 weeks of u-biking along the river path from Tamsui to Taipei, and 4 weeks (well almost, Mondays to Thursdays, mornings only) of teaching a class of 20 lovely children, ages 7-10, lots of Bible stories, English and drama, ably assisted by one of our St. John’s University students, Tzu-Yang (Mark), who also traveled miles every day to get there.  Actually he’s just graduated and is awaiting notification of his 4-months military service, so he was free.  He brought along … Continue reading English Summer Camp @ Good Shepherd Church, Taipei ~ YES!