It was a hot night. I’m afraid I’ll have to give up sleeping without air conditioning because not only was I sweating profusely, but I also had a hard time sleeping. (Update: a fan brought sufficient relief in following nights)
LAN took me to the traditional market, but because of the Mid-Autumn Festival, some of the markets they wanted to visit were closed. We also went to two temples, one for good luck, one for getting good grades in school, or even getting a driver’s license. I find it strange that a god is responsible for something that’s part of the modern world. But I also don’t like it when a god says things that might have been appropriate in ancient times and should be contextualized and adapted. (“As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it, subdue the earth.” – we have multiplied and sub done enough…)
We went to the Giant exhibition, which showcases the evolution of the bicycle, explains the physics behind cycling, and has several interactive sections. One of these was cycling with VR headsets. Neil and I participated in a “race,” and our task was to sprint for 30 seconds. I experienced something I’d experienced before in a lesser form, but this time I panicked slightly: I could easily have cycled longer or faster, or both, but even though I was only pushing myself 80%, I couldn’t get enough air after that sprint and was afraid I wouldn’t recover. Perhaps the VR headset or the unusual intensity after months without training made it worse, but I’ll never do that again unless I practice. At home, I sometimes run up to the 7th floor, which takes about 50 seconds, and of course, I’m out of breath, but it’s different; my breathing calms down, and I manage without anxiety.
I would like to mention the buffalo bike, which was originally designed by World Bicycle Relief, but has been further developed by Giant since 2010.
Afterwards, we explored the campus of Tunghai University, where Amy had studied languages. This campus is also huge! Interestingly, there are cows there, so you can buy their own yogurt, and a Catholic church, the Luce Memorial Chapel (designed by Japanese architects I.M. Pei and Chi-Kuan Chen in memory of Rev. Henry W. Luce, a 19th-century American missionary). Amy explained that freshmen must stay on campus and clean up. If they fail, they have to continue in their second year.
We had dessert (Lien and I had mango shaved ice before heading home, where Neil ordered dumplings and noodles for dinner.
Addendum to d48 – Around Kaohsiung (October 4, 2025):
We had been talking about accidents caused by elderly people (like his parents), and Mark had told me that in Taiwan, people over 70 are encouraged to surrender their driver’s licenses by offering them 3,500 NTD per year for taxi rides. I think this is a good idea, because independence is important to them, and perhaps the financial aspect will help them with this transition into a new phase of life.
K25&beyond d50 – Holiday in Taichung (6.10.25)
It was a hot night. I’m afraid I’ll have to give up sleeping without air conditioning because not only was I sweating profusely, but I also had a hard time sleeping.
LAN took me to the traditional market, but because of the Mid-Autumn Festival, some of the markets they wanted to visit were closed. We also went to two temples, one for good luck, one for getting good grades in school, or even getting a driver’s license. I find it strange that a god is responsible for something that’s part of the modern world. But I also don’t like it when a god says things that might have been appropriate in ancient times and should be contextualized and adapted. (“As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it, subdue the earth.” – we have multiplied and sub done enough…)
We went to the Giant exhibition, which showcases the evolution of the bicycle, explains the physics behind cycling, and has several interactive sections. One of these was cycling with VR headsets. Neil and I participated in a “race,” and our task was to sprint for 30 seconds. I experienced something I’d experienced before in a lesser form, but this time I panicked slightly: I could easily have cycled longer or faster, or both, but even though I was only pushing myself 80%, I couldn’t get enough air after that sprint and was afraid I wouldn’t recover. Perhaps the VR headset or the unusual intensity after months without training made it worse, but I’ll never do that again unless I practice. At home, I sometimes run up to the 7th floor, which takes about 50 seconds, and of course, I’m out of breath, but it’s different; my breathing calms down, and I manage without anxiety.
Afterwards, we explored the campus of Tunghai University, where Amy had studied languages. This campus is also huge! Interestingly, there are cows there, so you can buy their own yogurt, and a Catholic church, the Luce Memorial Chapel (designed by Japanese architects I.M. Pei and Chi-Kuan Chen in memory of Rev. Henry W. Luce, a 19th-century American missionary). Amy explained that freshmen must stay on campus and clean up. If they fail, they have to continue in their second year.
We had dessert (Lien and I had mango shaved ice before heading home, where Neil ordered dumplings and noodles for dinner.
Addendum to d48 – Around Kaohsiung (October 4, 2025):
We had been talking about accidents caused by elderly people (like his parents), and Mark had told me that in Taiwan, people over 70 are encouraged to surrender their driver’s licenses by offering them 3,500 NTD per year for taxi rides. I think this is a good idea, because independence is important to them, and perhaps the financial aspect will help them with this transition into a new phase of life.