everything is crystal clear...





my photos from taiwan. There are no captions, sorry
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2134317440





YO! long time no see! I am back at last from taiwan. Now i shall share some of my thoughts and encounters in taiwan.

Flight to taiwan was quite enjoyable for me. I was sitting beside Weishan. We played majong together and helped each other win by providing each other the tiles we needed. At the airport we were greeted by our always enthusiastic taiwanese buddies. We had a welcome feast on the first day. I met my new buddy for the first time. He looked damn cool and kind of rebellious too. But after talking to him for a while, I found that he wasn't as "dao" as he had looked. His father was also very friendly. Shortly after dinner, i returned to his house where his mother and two sisters, one thirteen and another 19 were waiting for us. Both his sisters were very pretty. His older sis looks like mrs chan. During the weekends, we went out to play. Their morning was chilly but i liked it. Morning sunshine also enabled me to see the neighbourhood clearly. It looks abit "jap" and very beautiful. Went to Daan park to play bball with friends. Next we went to watch soccer, "futsa" which was being held at Taipei now. The first match we watched was taipei against Egypt. We cheered for Taipei but they were threshed despite our enthusiastic support. The next match was very exciting. Ex-champ spain showed their superb soccer tactics against a very united Ukraine. Spain was simply too good, but they won only by 2-0. We also went to a building to shop for earphones. That building sells nothing but electronic goods and of course rows upon rolls of pornographic vcds and magazines. Had dinner together with Rex, yi le (both taiwanese) and weizong and zehan. We shopped and talked cock after dinner. We also enjoyed ourselves tremendously eating smelly doufu for supper under the moon light.

Went to school on monday in HJC uniform. Felt weird because strange glances were casted at me. Their school was pretty small and looked old, but i think it has a homely and warm feel which i think hwachong lacks. The students in the school were damn funky. Even the nerdiest people look cool. I am serious. There seemed to be a hip hop culture in their school. Students like to wear their uniform big and baggy. Their hairstyles imitate those of japanese idols. During their breaks, some students would gather in front of a large mirror, their dance studio, to dance hip-hop. However, their discipline was damn strict too. The class of my buddy, zongbo, was very hospitable. Many people came to talk to me even though they were supposed to be revising for their exams coz they were round the corner. During lunch, we have to buy "bian dan" because their school has no canteens. But i think their bian dan tastes hundred times better than our canteen food. Their rice especially was so chewy. After school, i would not go home directly. Weizong, zehan and I would go out to "guang" or shop. So far, we have covered every corner of shilin and ximen because we have gone there upteen times. Their night districts were crowded 7 days a week. Clothes there were fashionable but i only bought a few pieces because they were mainly winter wear. Sneakers sold there were of many varieties. How wish i could buy all. But i bought none because my budget was limited and they were quite costly. Shilin sold mostly fake goods but things were cheaper there. The next happening place was ximen where most young people hang out at. Stuff sold there were very hip but expensive as well. But i liked to go there coz it's quite a vibrant place expecially during the weekends. You can see young people wear all sorts of pretty clothes on streets. Spent most of my money on food. Think their snacks there are simply scrumptious. Tried all kinds of smelly doufu there coz they were so addictive. YUM! Zehan, weizong and me also visited dan shui which looks so very pretty during sunset.

School consisted of special lessons and in-class learning with our buddies. During the first week, i did not really dare to talk to my fellow classmates coz they were busy revising for their exams. But everyone was friendly when i talked to them. Special lessons for singaporean students were quite interesting too. Geo lessons explained the unique landscape of taiwan and history lessons allowed us to understand why politics in taiwan is so complicated today. I would talk more about politics at the back. But most importantly, the teachers there were interesting, unlike hjc teachers. Perhaps some of tchs teachers, like shen and mr lau were comparable to them.

Talking about politics, it's really a sensitive issue over there. The island was really split into two halves, blue and green. Even best friends can fall out over this issue, hence i call it a "hot" issue which people refrain from talking. From my observance, those who supported blue party thinks that that taiwan should not be independent because it would lead to war. They were quite pleased with the situation now and they believe that in independence gestures would lead to disastrous effects. Some think that Taiwan should be reunified with China. Those who supported the green camp thought that Chen shui bian has been a good leader compared to kuomingtang in the past. He had carried out many reforms which had drastic effects upon people, according to some people. These people believe that China has not done anything that benefied taiwan throughout the history. They think that China wanted taiwan back because of its strategic position and its wealth now. They think that Taiwan was doing well on its own and was afraid that it would go downhill after reunification. As a result, both parties have conflicting views. However, i do find something which they all share in common through my observance. They all love their land. They would beam with pride when they introduced taiwan to us, about how vibrant their culture is, about how beautiful their southern land is etc. If not the blue camp would not be opposing independence. They thought that independence would lead to war and destroy their land. This is likewise for the green camp. They were proud of how successful Taiwan is now. They fear reunification would cause taiwan to go downhill. Besides, taiwan can survive on its own. Of course, this leads to no party having a real majority and control in government. Even though their president is green, their legislative is blue. That is a reason why the parties have to spend so much on advertising before each election. This i think is a waste of resources. But, it also makes their politics colourful at the same time. However, this situation also causes many taiwanese, especially the young, to be unaware of their sense of indentity. Hence they are feeble in a sense and needs something to really unite them together. They do not know where they stand on the international arena. During my stay here, many people asks me what they think of taiwan because they have lost their persception of it. Not because they have none to choose from but because they have two routes which look equally appealling and disappealing as well. Some said they were ashamed of their politics, while others think that it's something unique of their country. A portion also treats it as a joke. But more and more people are getting tired of it and were giving blank votes. I personally think that this is a serious issue for them because voting is a serious issue. It concerns their future. Many people also oppose the buying of expensive arms from america because they feel that the americans are exploiting the problem they are facing now. They also feel that they are in a middle of a tug of war between two giants amreica and china. This is a humble political analysis from me. It could contain flaws, so dun believe it entirely.

Enough of politics. Lets talk about their people. Throughout my stay there, the people have been very warm to me, especially my class. The girls are pretty too. After their exams, they would crowd around me in class to talk to me. Think some of teachers are pissed about it because i am more interesting than their lessons. Some of the girls would give me their neoprints and the guys invited me to their games of basketball after school. Almost everybody can play decent basketball in their school. Our taiwanese took care of us well are were very responsible. They even treated us to meals and drinks and I was deeply touched by their hospitality. They don't mind sacrificing their time for revision to accompany us, because they think we are more important than their studies. Despite the recent tension between our two governments, I realised that they have very high opinion of Singapore as well. We were voted the second country they love most in a recent survey, think we are flattered. My host parents treated me well too. I think the reason why they were so warm is prolly because they dare to shower their love and concern for each other unlike singaporeans, as what justin had said. This is perhaps something which we can learn from them. They are also more vocal and direct. I seldom see or hear backstabbing amongst them. I don't know whether this is true or not in general for all schools. But at least in my class, i think it is.

Throughout my trip, i visited quite many places. We also visited an amusement park three days b4 we departed taipei and we had a lot of fun riding their rollercoasters and playing their games.

How time flies and it's time for us to leave at last. We had a five start dinner at one of their hotels. Every school performed their best of what they had been practising for weeks. HJC's dance was said to be one of the best. We sang dan ni gu dan at the end of our dance and we were joined by our fellow taiwanese buddies who went to hjc last time. Everyone sang in one heart and it was an emotional scene. I saw tears drop. Minglun gave a touching performance which consisted an emotional song ' when we hold on together" and a recital of a poem which they had composed for us. It was equally heartmoving. The dinner ended when we sang "peng you" together for the last time with our buddies with our arms locked over each others' shoulders. When we finished singing the song, everyone hugged each other in tears because we had to say goodbye soon.

Next morning came swift as it was and it was time for us to leave. Our buddies came to send us off. We took photos for rememberance the last time. Tears flowed again for the emotional ones. Tight hugs were exchanged. It was quite a sad moment but i believe we would see each other again in the future. TIP 2004 was finally over. It's another interesting page of my life and i enjoyed every moment of it. New friendships were forged and existing friendships were strengthened. I would also like to thank zehan and weizong for their warm company throughout the trip.

i would upload my photos soon.