Monday, September 14, 2009
Tong yan tse Calligraphy
One of today's well known female Calligraphers, Tong yan tse's current show is an impressive display of giant works in modern style. It shows her knowledge of both classic lit. As well as Calligraphy. This shot shows the size of the 'smaller' pieces. Taken with cell phone when the guard wasn't looking.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Icelandic Rental Car Service
Renting a car in Iceland is the one of the most expensive things one can do, but I managed to get a great deal. Unfortunately, I still managed to screw myself in the end with regards to my travel budget.
I had been in contact with a travel agent for over two years now. Ever since I really started to plan for Iceland. At first I had planned to take a group of 12 people over, then it became 4, and then finally it was just me and Dave. I could imagine the tour guide, Oli, must have been a bit upset. In the end, I didn’t even hire him as a guide, but I wanted to rent a car from him.
He didn’t have any 4WD vehicles left to rent when Dave and I finally made our decision, and solidified our plans, but he rented me his personal Nissan Patrol 4WD, at half the going rate for rentals. I just had to promise to take care of it, and fill it up with gas when I was finished with it. Of course, I leapt at the chance to take this offer.
When Oli dropped off the car in Reykjavik, we were out sightseeing. The hotel manager gave me the keys when we returned, and said the car was outside in front. There was no paperwork, no deposit, no credit card number given. Just the keys.
Oli asked me to call him when I was on the road. We talked a couple of times but never met up in our travels. I heading out East, and he taking a tour group up North.
When Dave returned to Canada, I had the car for two extra days. I was on my last legs for cash, and was budgeting really tightly. Suddenly, it dawned on me that I didn’t have the money to pay for the total rental price of the car. I was short $200 USD.
Oli was still working on tour so he had his friend pick up the car and the cash. I was really starting to sweat. I had realized this 20 minute before returning the car. I didn’t have an ATM card with me ( forgot it in Taiwan ), and this guy was not going to accept a credit card for the difference, because I wasn’t taking it to a proper rental service office or anything.
Well, this guy, he didn’t know what to say. He called Oli on his cell phone, and there was a discussion in Iceland. Probably with Oli saying why the hell did he ever get mixed up with me in the first place 2 years ago. Oli said that I could just wire him the $200USD when I got back to Taiwan.
This amazes me. I could have ditched his vehicle anywhere in Iceland, or at this point, just leave and he’d never find me ever again. He has no way to really get the money, and he hasn’t even SEEN me. He doesn’t know what I even look like. And yet, his buddy, in the t-shirt and jeans, is standing before me, saying it’s all ok.
In the end, I calculated that wiring him the money would cost me and him some unnecessary banking charges. So I offered a suggestion. Not the greatest mind you, but feasible. I had some USD, NOK ( Norwegian Kroner ) that I gave him. Both of these were my emergency money to get me through a couple days in Norway before Dallas arrived. I gave it to him, plus an extra $20 CAD because I was still a bit short.
I also threw in a bottle of 58% Gaoliang wine ( powerful, Taiwanese hooch ). I had brought it for emergency use. In case I needed to bribe someone, or perhaps just a night drinking with locals whom I may meet up with.
So in the end, this guy, Oli’s friend, is walking away with three different currencies, none of which he can really use ~ but perhaps Oli as a travel agent can, and a bottle of spirits. I felt like a total idiot. I was at this point, extremely broke.
For the last two days at the guesthouse, I was eating other guests’ leftover food in the kitchen after they had checked out. I had hoarded the cookies, and instant noodles in my room; leaving only the instant coffee and milk, and eggs in the fridge for use during my meal time. I was making all three meals a day in the kitchen. I Used the free internet at the guesthouse, and searching for free activities ~ the one free museum in Reykjavik, hiking outside the city, and a free outdoor jazz concert.
I had been in contact with a travel agent for over two years now. Ever since I really started to plan for Iceland. At first I had planned to take a group of 12 people over, then it became 4, and then finally it was just me and Dave. I could imagine the tour guide, Oli, must have been a bit upset. In the end, I didn’t even hire him as a guide, but I wanted to rent a car from him.
He didn’t have any 4WD vehicles left to rent when Dave and I finally made our decision, and solidified our plans, but he rented me his personal Nissan Patrol 4WD, at half the going rate for rentals. I just had to promise to take care of it, and fill it up with gas when I was finished with it. Of course, I leapt at the chance to take this offer.
When Oli dropped off the car in Reykjavik, we were out sightseeing. The hotel manager gave me the keys when we returned, and said the car was outside in front. There was no paperwork, no deposit, no credit card number given. Just the keys.
Oli asked me to call him when I was on the road. We talked a couple of times but never met up in our travels. I heading out East, and he taking a tour group up North.
When Dave returned to Canada, I had the car for two extra days. I was on my last legs for cash, and was budgeting really tightly. Suddenly, it dawned on me that I didn’t have the money to pay for the total rental price of the car. I was short $200 USD.
Oli was still working on tour so he had his friend pick up the car and the cash. I was really starting to sweat. I had realized this 20 minute before returning the car. I didn’t have an ATM card with me ( forgot it in Taiwan ), and this guy was not going to accept a credit card for the difference, because I wasn’t taking it to a proper rental service office or anything.
Well, this guy, he didn’t know what to say. He called Oli on his cell phone, and there was a discussion in Iceland. Probably with Oli saying why the hell did he ever get mixed up with me in the first place 2 years ago. Oli said that I could just wire him the $200USD when I got back to Taiwan.
This amazes me. I could have ditched his vehicle anywhere in Iceland, or at this point, just leave and he’d never find me ever again. He has no way to really get the money, and he hasn’t even SEEN me. He doesn’t know what I even look like. And yet, his buddy, in the t-shirt and jeans, is standing before me, saying it’s all ok.
In the end, I calculated that wiring him the money would cost me and him some unnecessary banking charges. So I offered a suggestion. Not the greatest mind you, but feasible. I had some USD, NOK ( Norwegian Kroner ) that I gave him. Both of these were my emergency money to get me through a couple days in Norway before Dallas arrived. I gave it to him, plus an extra $20 CAD because I was still a bit short.
I also threw in a bottle of 58% Gaoliang wine ( powerful, Taiwanese hooch ). I had brought it for emergency use. In case I needed to bribe someone, or perhaps just a night drinking with locals whom I may meet up with.
So in the end, this guy, Oli’s friend, is walking away with three different currencies, none of which he can really use ~ but perhaps Oli as a travel agent can, and a bottle of spirits. I felt like a total idiot. I was at this point, extremely broke.
For the last two days at the guesthouse, I was eating other guests’ leftover food in the kitchen after they had checked out. I had hoarded the cookies, and instant noodles in my room; leaving only the instant coffee and milk, and eggs in the fridge for use during my meal time. I was making all three meals a day in the kitchen. I Used the free internet at the guesthouse, and searching for free activities ~ the one free museum in Reykjavik, hiking outside the city, and a free outdoor jazz concert.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Dalai Lama conference in Kaohsiung
It's been almost 10 years since I have seen His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I listened to his lecture over 10 years ago when he came to Kaohsiung. However, it was in Tibetan, with Chinese translation, that was of Buddhist topics too deep for me to understand. After that was the magical time I met him and shook his hand in Dharmsala, India! ( story for another time)
This time, however, was a different experience again. The Dalai Lama ( DL ) gave a prayer at the new kaohsiung stadium at 9:00 yesterday ( September 1st, 2009). In the afternoon he was giving a lecture at 2:00 at the lotus lake conference center. However, in regards to the 2:00pm lecture, media reported two different sites for the venue.
I called the Lotus lake conference center twice to confirm reports, about the location. The last time I called was 2 hours before the lecture, and I SPECIFICALLY asked if anyone was allowed to go, and if tickets were needed or not. I was told that anyone can go, and you don't need a ticket.
When I arrived at 1:30, there were tons of people and police. The media was there of course, as well as protestors of DL's visit. I saw signs that read " The Dalai Lama is the CIA's watchdog"
ok, whatever losers.
(There have been some protestors to his visit. Saying that it is a political move. Also, that coming to say prayer and give emotional support is a waste of time, and doesn't help the victims. Some are also saying that as many of the people who perished are Christian, having a Buddhist come to say prayer was of no use.) ~ so much for unity among people.
So I went in the the lobby, and I struck up conversation with one of the lamas. He spoke good English and he told me that a ticket was required to enter, and that he even needed one and gave his up, because some woman was crying and begging him to let her have his ticket.
Ticket??? I immediately went to the info counter, and asked the ladies about this. I was told that "it was a sudden change of plans". I was furious. I called TWO hours ago, and they made a "sudden" change for a conference holding over 500 people?? WTF?
" Sorry, I know nothing about this" she told me. and then continued to play with her papers on her desk.
So then I went over to the glass doors leading into the inner building where the conference center was. The guards wouldn't let me pass, and when I pressed them for information about tickets, and why there was a change etc. they said: "We don't know anything. We are volunteers."
So then. Up comes this foreigner with a camera, with a book by DL. He says he's a journalist from XXX magazine. Of course, he doesn't have a press pass ( hack) but thinks he can bluff his way in. ( been there, done that :) )
I immediately became his best buddy though. We joined forces, which confused the hapless volunteers. now there were TWO foreigners, and with possible media attention towards their ignorance. We were let in, to talk to the bigwigs, but they didn't know who we should talk to either.
After we were past them, we weren't their problem anymore.
"Dude, I want to get my book signed by the DL" he says to me.
I'm thinking, that although it would be nice to have an autograph ( I also had a DL book on meditation in my bag), this wasn't a book signing at Chapters bookstore.
We walked into the conference building and the open foyer was filled with police officers on their break. There were some people rushing about, but most of the activity was still outside, and then suddenly there was a flurry of activity upstairs. People were clapping and cheering. We looked up, and three stories above us, we say a crowd of people moving. Then suddenly the crowd stopped, and the DL looked over the railing down at us, and he smiled and waved. It was a moment that happened so quickly. I had my chance to say something, to wave, to do anything... and I just looked up with my mouth open. Idiot. ~ I did the same thing in India years ago when I came face to face with him.
So then, I saw people were heading to a stairway. I went over there, meanwhile reporter guy was on his cell phone and began walking the other direction for some reason. Suddenly, there was another rush of people, and I was being pushed out of the way. I turned around, and was looking at Chen Chu the mayor of Kaohsiung, being rushed in by bodyguards, and with reporters hanging off them. I then began the pleading process. I played the dumb foreigner angle, and was talking to the guards in English claiming not to speak Chinese. There were alot of us trying to get in without tickets as you can imagine. One lady had flown in from Hong Kong last night, trying to get into the lecture.
Suddenly, a Taiwanese woman grabs my arm, and speaking in English, tells me to follow her and she might be able to get me in. We rush downstairs to a conference room, where she gives the guards her ticket, and quickly goes in with me. I get pulled back, as they notice that there was only one ticket, and not two. There is a debate going on. She tells them ( in Chinese ), that I lost my ticket, and that we are travelling together. Well, the guards don't buy it, and she says "sorry" and goes in. I wait outside. The room is divided into two parts with one for the press, and the other for the rest of us. however, we are looking at large screens with the live lecture being broadcasted from upstairs where I saw the DL. you need VIP tickets for that, and the tickets for this place was for the lowly commoners. And even then, I couldn't get in.
there were hundreds of people watching the screen, but there was no sound. Technical difficulties.
As you can imagine, many people were upset. Some foreigners were complaining. This is gonna look bad for Taiwan on the news. International guest giving lecture, and a room of reporters with looking on a screen with no audio. People began to leave an the volunteers all pleaded with people to stay. The problem would be fixed soon. No entry after you leave. it didn't work, and people began to leave.
I stayed next to the staircase, and watched and waited. 15 minutes later, the audio came on, and some people began rushing back. however this time, I filed in innocently between them sans ticket. :)
The two hour lecture was on peace, and unity and the importance of education and mindfulness. It was a grand lecture made in English and the DL even put in many jokes, and laughed through the whole thing. It was a fun talk. The Q and A period became more serious with deep Buddhist questions. He then reverted to Tibetan with the translator translating into Chinese. There were two translators. One for Tibetan-Chinese, and one for English-Chinese.
Afterwards, many people ran out into the courtyard hoping to get a glimpse of the DL. There were hundreds of people inside and outside. Suddenly Ying-Wen Chai, the politician came out, and reporters rushed over to her to interview her on her thoughts of the lecture. Many followed, and then walked away dissapointed. "Oh.. it's only a politician.."
There was probably not much chance of anything else happening, so I left. I had an hour drive back to the school anyways.
Well, I got a smile and a wave from His Holiness anyways.
This time, however, was a different experience again. The Dalai Lama ( DL ) gave a prayer at the new kaohsiung stadium at 9:00 yesterday ( September 1st, 2009). In the afternoon he was giving a lecture at 2:00 at the lotus lake conference center. However, in regards to the 2:00pm lecture, media reported two different sites for the venue.
I called the Lotus lake conference center twice to confirm reports, about the location. The last time I called was 2 hours before the lecture, and I SPECIFICALLY asked if anyone was allowed to go, and if tickets were needed or not. I was told that anyone can go, and you don't need a ticket.
When I arrived at 1:30, there were tons of people and police. The media was there of course, as well as protestors of DL's visit. I saw signs that read " The Dalai Lama is the CIA's watchdog"
ok, whatever losers.
(There have been some protestors to his visit. Saying that it is a political move. Also, that coming to say prayer and give emotional support is a waste of time, and doesn't help the victims. Some are also saying that as many of the people who perished are Christian, having a Buddhist come to say prayer was of no use.) ~ so much for unity among people.
So I went in the the lobby, and I struck up conversation with one of the lamas. He spoke good English and he told me that a ticket was required to enter, and that he even needed one and gave his up, because some woman was crying and begging him to let her have his ticket.
Ticket??? I immediately went to the info counter, and asked the ladies about this. I was told that "it was a sudden change of plans". I was furious. I called TWO hours ago, and they made a "sudden" change for a conference holding over 500 people?? WTF?
" Sorry, I know nothing about this" she told me. and then continued to play with her papers on her desk.
So then I went over to the glass doors leading into the inner building where the conference center was. The guards wouldn't let me pass, and when I pressed them for information about tickets, and why there was a change etc. they said: "We don't know anything. We are volunteers."
So then. Up comes this foreigner with a camera, with a book by DL. He says he's a journalist from XXX magazine. Of course, he doesn't have a press pass ( hack) but thinks he can bluff his way in. ( been there, done that :) )
I immediately became his best buddy though. We joined forces, which confused the hapless volunteers. now there were TWO foreigners, and with possible media attention towards their ignorance. We were let in, to talk to the bigwigs, but they didn't know who we should talk to either.
After we were past them, we weren't their problem anymore.
"Dude, I want to get my book signed by the DL" he says to me.
I'm thinking, that although it would be nice to have an autograph ( I also had a DL book on meditation in my bag), this wasn't a book signing at Chapters bookstore.
We walked into the conference building and the open foyer was filled with police officers on their break. There were some people rushing about, but most of the activity was still outside, and then suddenly there was a flurry of activity upstairs. People were clapping and cheering. We looked up, and three stories above us, we say a crowd of people moving. Then suddenly the crowd stopped, and the DL looked over the railing down at us, and he smiled and waved. It was a moment that happened so quickly. I had my chance to say something, to wave, to do anything... and I just looked up with my mouth open. Idiot. ~ I did the same thing in India years ago when I came face to face with him.
So then, I saw people were heading to a stairway. I went over there, meanwhile reporter guy was on his cell phone and began walking the other direction for some reason. Suddenly, there was another rush of people, and I was being pushed out of the way. I turned around, and was looking at Chen Chu the mayor of Kaohsiung, being rushed in by bodyguards, and with reporters hanging off them. I then began the pleading process. I played the dumb foreigner angle, and was talking to the guards in English claiming not to speak Chinese. There were alot of us trying to get in without tickets as you can imagine. One lady had flown in from Hong Kong last night, trying to get into the lecture.
Suddenly, a Taiwanese woman grabs my arm, and speaking in English, tells me to follow her and she might be able to get me in. We rush downstairs to a conference room, where she gives the guards her ticket, and quickly goes in with me. I get pulled back, as they notice that there was only one ticket, and not two. There is a debate going on. She tells them ( in Chinese ), that I lost my ticket, and that we are travelling together. Well, the guards don't buy it, and she says "sorry" and goes in. I wait outside. The room is divided into two parts with one for the press, and the other for the rest of us. however, we are looking at large screens with the live lecture being broadcasted from upstairs where I saw the DL. you need VIP tickets for that, and the tickets for this place was for the lowly commoners. And even then, I couldn't get in.
there were hundreds of people watching the screen, but there was no sound. Technical difficulties.
As you can imagine, many people were upset. Some foreigners were complaining. This is gonna look bad for Taiwan on the news. International guest giving lecture, and a room of reporters with looking on a screen with no audio. People began to leave an the volunteers all pleaded with people to stay. The problem would be fixed soon. No entry after you leave. it didn't work, and people began to leave.
I stayed next to the staircase, and watched and waited. 15 minutes later, the audio came on, and some people began rushing back. however this time, I filed in innocently between them sans ticket. :)
The two hour lecture was on peace, and unity and the importance of education and mindfulness. It was a grand lecture made in English and the DL even put in many jokes, and laughed through the whole thing. It was a fun talk. The Q and A period became more serious with deep Buddhist questions. He then reverted to Tibetan with the translator translating into Chinese. There were two translators. One for Tibetan-Chinese, and one for English-Chinese.
Afterwards, many people ran out into the courtyard hoping to get a glimpse of the DL. There were hundreds of people inside and outside. Suddenly Ying-Wen Chai, the politician came out, and reporters rushed over to her to interview her on her thoughts of the lecture. Many followed, and then walked away dissapointed. "Oh.. it's only a politician.."
There was probably not much chance of anything else happening, so I left. I had an hour drive back to the school anyways.
Well, I got a smile and a wave from His Holiness anyways.
