9:15 PM
Today was fun! After checking out of the hotel we loaded onto the bus and headed to a traditional paper making company for a tour. I wasn’t expecting such a hands-on tour, but I couldn’t be happier that we got to be involved. After seeing a small presentation on the different types of paper and what they are made of, we headed into the factory. We actually got to make our own paper! There were racks with bins of water and fiber pulp waiting for us. Everyone picked a station and grabbed some screens to start the process. To make paper you strain out the pulp, decorate it with other color pulp, and then stack it on a press. The press took a ton of muscle to screw down, but between the group we managed to squeeze out all the water by tightening the press. Next the paper is put on a steel table that is very hot. It was interesting to see the paper steaming without catching fire. Ta-da! Now we have paper!
We also got to create a stamp design. First you get the handmade paper and get it damp with a spray bottle of water. Next you take a hand broom and beat it (make sure there is another piece of paper on top of it so it doesn’t rip) until it’s dry. Once its dry-and make sure its dry or you will be like me and have to start over-then you take an ink blotter and lightly ink over the design. It turned out pretty sweet looking so some of us had it put onto a scroll. I don’t know how we will get it home in one piece, but it was fun.
The third activity the factory had planned for us was fan making. I’m pretty sure our IQ’s must be in question after our attempts at making it. First you cut out the paper part and fold it accordion style. Then you take the 8 sticks that make the fan base and glue them to the back of the fan. Simple right? Not so much! The base had to be glued in a particular way and then you had to hope it folded right. The group had a lot of fun making these.
Back to the bus, a stop to McDonalds along the way, and then we were headed to the pier. It’s interesting to note that everyone separates their trash here. Leftover liquids go in one container, cups in another, food in a special bin and then trash in the main compartment. Also, another side note is the restrooms. When toilet paper is offered (which seems to be less and less) you often have to get it by the sink and take it in with you. That’s different and annoying for people like me who can never seem to remember. I'm going to swipe some from the hotel for my backpack before we go out again. The toilets are also different. You only see the typical American ones every now and then. Also the hotel last night had a bidet (pronounced Ba-day) that was activated by pushing a little duck figure down.
Anyways, back to the pier. We got our own tour boat and headed onto Sun Moon Lake. It was a nice lake, but coming from Michigan I wasn’t overly impressed. Apparently its one of the great sights of Taiwan, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t see at home. Being on the boat reminded me the most of being home during the summers.
After stopping at several tourist sights on the lake we headed back to the dock. It was neat to see some cable cars that take you to the top of the mountain. We were going to take them up and hike around but it was too late. The landscape is beautiful with mountains in the background. There is always a haze covering them which makes it look just like the famous Japanese paintings of mountains in the mist.
After the boat tour we briefly stopped at a visitor center. I loved the sleek design of it with infinity ponds throughout the archway and on the balcony area. An infinity pond is like a little pond that is level with the floor. It was ironic because we saw signs warning us about this little pond outside on the way in, but then there was nothing to warn us about the random ponds that blended into the floors inside.
Finally we were headed to the youth center. The youth centers are like hotels…I’m not really sure why they are different. Our room has four beds, a large flat screen, and a balcony. The accommodations on this trip have been very nice! I think I came expecting the worst, but everything has been great so far.
For dinner we traveled down the mountain to the pier. There were some cool shops to visit. Of course I was attracted to all the jewelry stores. I'm pretty sure cheap/pretty jewelry is becoming an addiction. I got to see one guy actually making some of the jewelry-which led to me buying one;) It was a beautiful red jewel and he showed me the material he made it out off. I also bought a Jade and diamond necklace like one I passed up in the Jade market. I was bummed I didn’t buy it before so I’m glad I got a second chance to.
Dinner was at a local restaurant. Some of the group ate somewhere else, but Professor Peng, Pat, Diane and myself (and later some others) all ate together. I just stuck to rice since the food hasn’t been agreeing with me. Now we are all back for the night getting around for bed. Hopefully I will be able to Skype home tonight. The connection was too slow to connect last night and its going to be questionable tonight.
Today was fun! After checking out of the hotel we loaded onto the bus and headed to a traditional paper making company for a tour. I wasn’t expecting such a hands-on tour, but I couldn’t be happier that we got to be involved. After seeing a small presentation on the different types of paper and what they are made of, we headed into the factory. We actually got to make our own paper! There were racks with bins of water and fiber pulp waiting for us. Everyone picked a station and grabbed some screens to start the process. To make paper you strain out the pulp, decorate it with other color pulp, and then stack it on a press. The press took a ton of muscle to screw down, but between the group we managed to squeeze out all the water by tightening the press. Next the paper is put on a steel table that is very hot. It was interesting to see the paper steaming without catching fire. Ta-da! Now we have paper!
We also got to create a stamp design. First you get the handmade paper and get it damp with a spray bottle of water. Next you take a hand broom and beat it (make sure there is another piece of paper on top of it so it doesn’t rip) until it’s dry. Once its dry-and make sure its dry or you will be like me and have to start over-then you take an ink blotter and lightly ink over the design. It turned out pretty sweet looking so some of us had it put onto a scroll. I don’t know how we will get it home in one piece, but it was fun.
The third activity the factory had planned for us was fan making. I’m pretty sure our IQ’s must be in question after our attempts at making it. First you cut out the paper part and fold it accordion style. Then you take the 8 sticks that make the fan base and glue them to the back of the fan. Simple right? Not so much! The base had to be glued in a particular way and then you had to hope it folded right. The group had a lot of fun making these.
Back to the bus, a stop to McDonalds along the way, and then we were headed to the pier. It’s interesting to note that everyone separates their trash here. Leftover liquids go in one container, cups in another, food in a special bin and then trash in the main compartment. Also, another side note is the restrooms. When toilet paper is offered (which seems to be less and less) you often have to get it by the sink and take it in with you. That’s different and annoying for people like me who can never seem to remember. I'm going to swipe some from the hotel for my backpack before we go out again. The toilets are also different. You only see the typical American ones every now and then. Also the hotel last night had a bidet (pronounced Ba-day) that was activated by pushing a little duck figure down.
Anyways, back to the pier. We got our own tour boat and headed onto Sun Moon Lake. It was a nice lake, but coming from Michigan I wasn’t overly impressed. Apparently its one of the great sights of Taiwan, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t see at home. Being on the boat reminded me the most of being home during the summers.
After stopping at several tourist sights on the lake we headed back to the dock. It was neat to see some cable cars that take you to the top of the mountain. We were going to take them up and hike around but it was too late. The landscape is beautiful with mountains in the background. There is always a haze covering them which makes it look just like the famous Japanese paintings of mountains in the mist.
After the boat tour we briefly stopped at a visitor center. I loved the sleek design of it with infinity ponds throughout the archway and on the balcony area. An infinity pond is like a little pond that is level with the floor. It was ironic because we saw signs warning us about this little pond outside on the way in, but then there was nothing to warn us about the random ponds that blended into the floors inside.
Finally we were headed to the youth center. The youth centers are like hotels…I’m not really sure why they are different. Our room has four beds, a large flat screen, and a balcony. The accommodations on this trip have been very nice! I think I came expecting the worst, but everything has been great so far.
For dinner we traveled down the mountain to the pier. There were some cool shops to visit. Of course I was attracted to all the jewelry stores. I'm pretty sure cheap/pretty jewelry is becoming an addiction. I got to see one guy actually making some of the jewelry-which led to me buying one;) It was a beautiful red jewel and he showed me the material he made it out off. I also bought a Jade and diamond necklace like one I passed up in the Jade market. I was bummed I didn’t buy it before so I’m glad I got a second chance to.
Dinner was at a local restaurant. Some of the group ate somewhere else, but Professor Peng, Pat, Diane and myself (and later some others) all ate together. I just stuck to rice since the food hasn’t been agreeing with me. Now we are all back for the night getting around for bed. Hopefully I will be able to Skype home tonight. The connection was too slow to connect last night and its going to be questionable tonight.
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