Category: reflections
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Bikes and Scooters
Like in India and Singapore, bikes, scooters and motorcycles are very popular in Taiwan. Makes sense from a fuel savings pov. I don’t see as many overcrowded with people here as I did in India. I have seen more helmets here and some of them are very individualized. I like making a fashion statement in…
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Taipei 101
At one time in the mid 2000s (how do you spell “aughts”?) the building known as Taipei 101 was the tallest in the world. Our visit there Monday found me thinking about three things: 1. Looking from above I could really understand better how the mountains and the city are intertwined around the edges of…
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Anime/Animated characters
I really don’t understand the attraction to anime. I know it is super popular, but it doesn’t capture my fancy, even though I love being silly. So, I don’t get the Hello Kitty fascination, even by sophisticated adults like this woman on the subway. I also don’t get the use of all the anime in…
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Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial
The very crude way I understand the history of Taiwan is that China had a civil war and Mao Zedong’s communist party beat the ruling party led by president Chiang Kai-Shek. In 1949 President Chiang and over 2 million military and civilians fled to the province of Taiwan. Some believe Taiwan is a part of…
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Closing thoughts on Singapore
Singapore was great. Very clean and safe. Lots of rules and CCTV, which was very different for me. I find myself with a lot of questions about the history of its politics. There is lots of gratitude towards the English for the time of colonization, but I want to understand more about why it got…
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Reflections about India
There is a peacefulness in India even in its chaos of busy traffic and crowded sidewalks. People greeted me with “namaste” and hands folded and a smile everywhere I went. There was kindness. Yet, folks who were native to India kept warning me not to be too trusting, to watch out for thieves, because they…
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Turning 60
Saskya and Andy totally spoiled me for my birthday. Saskya and I did a tour about colonial Bangalore, visited the modern art gallery, and then the three of us had a great lunch on Saturday and then a fancy dinner on Sunday. I am very happy I was with old friends, because of course I…
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Driving in India
I have mad respect for anyone who can drive in India. On the campus where Saskya and Andy live, there are mostly bikes, motorcycles, “autos” (motorized rickshaw-like vehicles, pictured above) and pedestrians. No honking is permitted. It seems pretty easy. Off-campus, though, is much harder for a driver. There are lots of the above-referenced vehicles,…
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Fifth stop: Singapore Feb 21- Mar 1
I know- I haven’t finished writing about India! I will – I have so many pics, adventures and questions yet to share. But, I arrived in Singapore around 5 am on Tuesday, February 21. This sign at the airport tickled me: The “demerit” system intrigues me. “3 points from Gryffindor!”
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Signs of home- Tibetan Monks
I don’t love that the US contribution to international cuisine tends to be fast food! The reminder of Ithaca I do love seeing are Tibetan Monks. I have run into Tibetan monks in every airport so far. (I didn’t take pics bc it feels too disrespectful.). I love that my hometown has a temple and…
MB Meets World 