I have been here for almost four months now but I have had few opportunities to be a tourist, too see any of this new place that I live. This situation was rectified on Saturday with an amazing day of new experiences. First, one of the assistant teachers invited us to her home for a BBQ. We were able to see how a clay kiln is built in the ground and fires made to cook food after rice has been harvested. We spent time learning about our co-workers and meeting their families. We were not able to stay for the meal, but we were able to help build the kiln and hang out with the families. The kids made straw men (winter in Taiwan does not involve snow) and we watched the fires start. It was a great experience but we had to quickly move on.
One of our friends from church, Q, took us to many of the fun tourist places in the area. We went to the Tropic of Cancer, the Aerospace Center, two sugarcane plants, an old rail station, and a natural gas deposit that looks like a waterfall of fire. We spent a great day together seeing all these places.
After the business of all of our work here we forget to take time out to relax and enjoy the world God made. As I sit here typing this, the memories of this weekend fresh in my mind, I thank God for the wonderful island we live on and the people who bless us in this place.
