More hiking!

Last weekend was fun, first on Saturday was the "運動會" which is, I don't really know how to explain-- first there was marching by the students, then they did their little dance routines they had been practicing since school started, there were speeches and introductions of all the educational "bigwigs" who made appearances that day, then the sports began. There were races, relays, tug-o-war (students, as well as community members-- who were actually really into it.)

Speaking of the community tug-o-war, I was struck by how many of the men were chewing the 檳榔 (betel nut- Taiwan's version of chewing tobacco that comes from the seed of a palm that is grown ALL OVER the island of Taiwan. It is wrapped in the leaf of a different plant and chewed for it's mildly stimulating effect). Previously, I wondered just how growing SO many of these trees everywhere (whole mountainsides are cut down and planted with the palm)-- on Saturday I realized it is because SO many people chew the stuff like it's bubble gum.

On Sunday I left early for 大雪山 (Big Snow Mountain) to do some hiking. It was a little over 2 hours on a scooter, and it was away from everything! Really quiet and peaceful, the only mild complaint is that trails in Taiwan just seem to follow the ridge up to the top, no matter how steep it happens to be. They seem to not believe in switchbacks. So they will put lots and lots of stairs the whole way, along with rope lining the trail so you don't fall. I only took a couple pictures though. Next time I go I will take more!