The Arcade Fire and the Hidden Temple

In the light of a golden calf.

There are many prized possessions to be won. 

A princess, with a smile to behold.  

A lucky Chinese man with an ingot of  gold.  

Monkeys don't just dance for romance. 

But kittens might.

What a sight! 

Let the dragon keep the evils out.  

And the offerings keep the blessings on route.

红 | Red | courage, loyalty, honour, success, fortune, fertility, happiness, passion, summer

Welcome lanterns at the hot pool spa.

Let's all go for a scoot! 

A peaceful police escorted protest. Not too sure what it was about. From the guys in front I would hazard a guess at pension or workers benefits. 

Edit: I have been informed the protesters are carrying a sign that demands President Ma to resign

Details from the temple below. 

A Chinese temple. Prior to Chinese New Year folks burn offerings (right) in large ornate ovens.

The "85 Building". It's the tallest building in Kaohsiung and can be seen out our living room window.  

 Chinese architecture nestled in between modern buildings.

 A Sunday market selling candies and foods.

The New York Public library steps, Taiwanese style.

In chaos there is order... but in randomness there is humour.

 A decadent night market selling red and gold Chinese New Year decorations. 

 I will do a whole post on food but this salad in particular summarizes the absurdity and randomness of this magical city. What do we have here: cabbage, pineapple, guava, apple, celery, carrot, cucumber, corn kernels, tomato, iceberg lettuce, cream cheese and derrish smoked salmon with a side of the very popular thousand island dressing.

Approximate cost in CAD $3.20.

 Drew and our server, ordering in Chinese. She walked away laughing at the attempt. (Similarly to how Canadians might laugh at the endearing attempts of a foreigner trying to speak English.) 

The water park at night. 

The randomness of getting used to a new city...

 The view from our place looking downtown at night.

 Water Tower park.

Chinese-Indian food. Very affordable and equally delicious.  

Hidden down there is an old temple. 

These guys were banging drums and chimes and were collecting donations for their nearby temple.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Yes, another blog. I doubt I will be writing much but I do promise to please your senses with a handful of images and snippet descriptions to tantalize and entice your souls.

I am in Kaohsiung City in Taiwan, for an undetermined amount of time, to teach English and learn Mandarin. I have explored the nooks & crannies of the city the last few days and have fallen deep into the chasm of love. The richness and authenticity of this city cocoons any fear one might have whilst completely lost in the rush of speeding scooters and downtown hustle.

Enjoy your ride with me. Share the love.

Cargo crates. This is where your laptops live before they come to your laps. 

Chinglish. There is something so sweet and endearing about the wording mix-ups.

My first day here I walked the city for 6 hours. I stood on a bridge and took this photo capturing the coy, the skies, and the miracle that is life. "I'm really here" I thought. 

Eggs. 

The streets here are clean. Puts Toronto to shame. 

Zip, zoom, zig zag.

The old and the new. The green and the blue.