|
 TAIWAN
MEANS "Touch Your Heart"
By Marilynn Bowler
Opening with Thomas Moore's beautiful piano rendition of
"Jasmine Flower," the packed ballroom of 200+ Rotarians
and guests were introduced to the brilliance and beauty
of Taiwan during a program presented by five members of
the Taiwan Group Study Exchange Team … and we were
stunned by their gentle manner, easy presentation styles
and genuine warmth. Led by Steve Lee - himself, a
Rotarian who studies in France through the Rotary YEP
program - Taiwan was brought to life for us through
audio visuals, demonstrations, and beautifully
descriptive words.
In our city to promote further understanding between our
country and theirs, and to generate synergy in this era
of globalization, Steve Lee introduced us to Tala,
Michelle, Lily and Esther who each spoke eloquently on
the culture, history, arts, geography and natural
resources of the island located off the coast of China.
Reminding us that their homeland is a mere 7,790 miles
from North Carolina, we were amazed to learn that there
are over 3,000 Rotarians in the capital city of Taipei,
alone. Tala told us of their many dialects, spoke
briefly of their religions and politics, and impressed
us with the fact that so many high-tech products come
from this 17th largest trading nation in the world. We
loved Tala from the moment he was introduced and he
leapt straight up into the air, right into kung fu …
much to our amusement.
Lily, an attorney who explained to us that her name in
Taiwanese means, "to be perfect," talked about the
Festivals and holidays which each have a special meaning
in Taiwan. From the Chinese New Year, to the Lantern
Festival, to the Dragon Boat festival, we heard about
the culture of Taiwan and we were enthralled. The
Chinese New Year is the most important of all holidays,
Lily said, and centers around a family dinner on New
Year's Eve during which a red envelope "with real money
in it" is presented to each member of the family.
Firecrackers go off at midnight … and she played a tape
of the unmistakable booming and banging of those
firecrackers. She introduced us to their superb cuisine
of which they are so proud and suggested that we be sure
to visit Din Tai Fung, the most important restaurant in
Taiwan, should we ever be lucky enough to travel to that
gorgeous country. We learned about the Night Market,
Pearl Mile Tea, Oyster Pastry and - are you ready? -
Stinky Tofu which, Lily assured us, is incredibly
delicious.
Esther greeted us with, "Hi, Y'All!" and we laughed
delightedly. Esther's name in Taiwanese means "sweet
temper and creative one" and so Esther fulfills that
definition. A clothing designer by trade, she has
studied calligraphy for ten years and loves photography,
piano playing and art. She described in detail the
National Palace Museum which, she told us, is one of the
Top Four museums in the world and which houses 650,000
artistic pieces. Esther told us of the ceramics,
sculptures (especially the famous Jade Cabbage with two
grasshoppers,) glove puppetry, chinese knots (signifying
reunion, warmth and marriage) as well as treasures of
stationery and traditional printing. She talked proudly
of Chien Ming Wang, the New York Yankees pitcher who
wears jersey #40, the exquisite Chinese filmmaker Ang
Lee who brought us the Academy Award winning films
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Brokeback
Mountain," and she even taught us to read Taiwanese by
reading top to bottom, left to right. Esther held us in
the palm of her hand.
Last but far from least, dynamic Michelle told us about
the island, itself. She began by making us laugh.
"Everything here in your country is HUGE," she said.
"Your houses, your roads, your burgers!" She then
compared people of the United States to her countrymen
by saying that we're both warm and kind-hearted people.
Michelle explained the Lights of Taiwan and Taipei 101,
the most popular tourist attraction with the tallest
skyscraper in the world. From a twenty-four hour
bookstore which is a book-lover's dream, Michelle
introduced us to Yamingshan (home of hot springs in 100
locations,) Taroko Gorge (the rocky coast of Taiwan,) Yu
Shan (the highest peak in Asia at 11,800 feet) as well
as Kenting, Sun Moon Lake, Northest Coast, and -
reminding us of our own light rail - Michelle showed us
a picture of their High Speed Rail which takes
passengers 214 miles in a mere 90 minutes (versus a 4-5
hour automobile ride.)
Our guests then presented our president, David
Zimmerman, with a wealth of beautiful gifts from Taiwan.
It was a lovely conclusion to a lovely program presented
by five new friends from an island far away in the China
Sea. We could almost smell the jasmine.
Head Table:
Lily Tseng, Michelle Haung, David Zimmerman, Regina
Patton, Steve Lee, Esther Chiang, Tala Chiou;
Invocation: Kit Cramer;
Visitors & Guests:
Bob Knight; Health & Happiness: Phi Volponi; Song:
Richard Early; Piano: Thomas Moore |
