Plums 2009

Pics of plums here were taken at Fongguedao of Sinyi Township, Nanto County.

Taiwanese Opera

When I was a child, my grandma used to take me to the theater to see Taiwanese Opera which we call "歌仔戲" in our native language. It was a precious memory because going to the theater was undoubtedly a wasteful behaviour in the poor country 50 years ago. Once the player's daughter came to my home and we ate lunch on a long bench. What a fond and unforgettable memory! My grandma has been dead about ten years, yet I know she loved me because I was the youngest child in the family. Today the Taiwanese Opera attracts me so much that whenever I hear the tune, I become excited. The pics here show some of the players skilfully getting dressed and putting on the make-up by themselves.

2008 Mazu in Changhua

Few people can claim detached from the religious activities which are so popular from northern to southern Taiwan. Usually the temples which worship the same god or goddess will visit each other every year, and when they come back from the annual gathering, the sedan of god, together with the team and followers, will go around the village to "clean evil spirit" and bring lucks to the local residents.