Chang Hua

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

We had some great adventures in Chang Hua (about a 30min. train ride from home). I felt very touristy all day, you will see why as you scroll down ;)

As I uploaded all these pics, I . . . fortuitously . . . split the "Big Buddha" section of our day up into 3 nonconsecutive sections.

This is a picture taken out of the back of "The Big Buddha" (as we Americans so articulately call this particular statue of Buddha). It wasn't very sunny that day, but it got up to 35c (94f).

The Buddha is on top of a hill and this is part of the view. (I really had no concept of posing at the time . . . )

From Left to Right: Erin, Libby, Katy, Meg

This is "The Big Buddha"

From Right to Left: Erin, Meg, Libby, Katy

More of the view from the top of the hill. Taiwan is such a densely pact place you literally can't see gaps anywhere in the view. If you look closely to the left of the picture you can see a red cross on top of a building, so in this post I have pictures of symbols from 3 of the top world religions!

From me clockwise: Katy Libby, Erin, Kristi

This is a fun little story. As we were riding the train to Chang Hua, a couple sat across from us. They were memorable because they more 'actively' stared at us than most Taiwanese. Well, we got off the train (being an hour and 10 min. late the people we were supposed to meet were not there) and slowly deciphered a hand drawn map guiding us to "The Big Buddha." About half way there Meg saw a store were she could buy another memory card for her camera. At that corner we ran into that same couple. I don't know exactly how it all worked out (I was pricing out cameras that I can't afford) but we ended up following them across the street to the Chang Hua community center, and up three flights of stairs into an art gallery. The Man introduced us to his art teacher, and then we connected it all. The Man had shown us his card and on it he was holding a paintbrush in his mouth (The Man doesn't have any arms). On exhibit was The Teacher's works. We looked around at all the beautiful oil paintings, one of my favorites (Sunflowers) is behind The Teacher's head. It was a great little encounter!

Left to Right: man from the gallery, Meg, Erin, Katy, Kristi, The Teacher, Libby, The Man, The Man's Lady.

I'm fairly sure this is a statue of Confucius, and the first time in the day where I felt very touristy in my attempt to imitate the statue.

This is a picture of the pathway to see "The Big Buddha." You can drive there, but this way was actually faster for us pedestrians.

These next two pictures are an alternate path that we took walking down from "The Big Buddha"

On the way to "The Big Buddha" we came across a Confucian Temple. It's a lot bigger than you see in the picture. There are long, skinny, 'schools' on either side and a 'gateway' in front (behind the photographer).

Again, me acting like the silly, American tourist I am.

And again.

And, sadly, again. (Yin & Yang it's not, but touristy it is)

And again.

And again, although this is really cool, 'cause this is inside one of those 'schools.'

Yes, I have been inside one of the Confucian Schools of Thought!

Now this is "The Big Buddha" (yes, that's a window in his thigh).

More touristy moments, but the "Big Buddha" area is very touristy, so I felt it was expected.

Left to Right: Katy, Libby, Meg, Erin

And yet another one, but I do think this was the best imitation, not perfect, but close.

After our big touristy day we went to the train station to meet Whitney and Laura to go to Costco and then a singles dance . . . our paths never crossed. . . .

We were at the train station for almost 3 hours (we were an hour early and had to wait 40 min. for the train)
From Left to Right: an annoyed Kristi, a very sad Libby, and a board Katy.

Luckily Meg started a "Guess what I'm thinking of" game which really helped pass the time and got us laughing way too loudly . . . yet another typical American moment to add to our day ;)