Words of Innocence and Experience

And when I go there
I go there with you
It’s all I can do
–U2 “Where the Streets Have No Name”

I just returned from a little trip to Northern Taiwan. Unfortunately, I could not see the photos until this weekend. Perhaps I’d upload a few pictures later. Stay tuned.

Early Saturday morning, I got on the bus with Mom and her co-workers to Taipei. The weather was fair in Taichung but worsened considerably as we traveled northward. Our first destination was a temple in Taoyuan. There was nothing spectacular about the temple in its appearance, but it had stood there through the test of time. Mom was delighted to have bought a purple purse from the street vendors there.

When we arrived at the “Gold Museum,” it was raining cats and dogs. Therefore, nearly everyone bought umbrellas from a small store nearby. I’ll add the picture to this post when the photo was ready.

The museum records the history of Taiwan’s short mining industry. It also contains artworks of gold and introductions to various ores. The view outside of the museum was spectacular. Here’s a poor representation of the view I found on Google.

The residence of an old Japanese minister was there, too. Taiwan had been colonized by Japan for 50 years. The Japanese minister didn’t get to live in the ‘mansion,’ though. Before he was appoined to the post, China had won the World War Two.

In the evening we settled down in a hotel with hot springs in Yangmingshan. It was a small inn rather than a quality hotel, so the equipment inside the rooms was poor. For personal reasons, I could not enjoy the hot springs then. It was cold and the sound of people singing karaoke could be heard from our room on the first floor. I had a sleepless night there.

We went to “The Miniature’s Paradise” the next day. I had been there before when I was a little child. Nothing had changed much. I still find the miniatures of the household eractions around the world endearing.

Here comes the point. Did I enjoy the trip? Probably. From this trip, I started to realize that whom I am traveling with matters. I had no connections with Mom’s co-workers, most of whom revels in eating, karaoke, and chatting. I am still at the age of vanity, so I care about my figure and do not wish to overeat. Karaoke is fun sometimes, but one of Mom’s co-workers is a superb singer and I do not want to lose my face in front of her. Finally, I had little interest in the topics of their talks.

It was great that I could get to travel to someplace, though. Next time when I go on a trip, I’ll go with you. Who are you? Write to me. Call me. Whatever.