Photos by MJ Klein (many of them are geotagged)
Finding myself a little bored, I took Phoenix for a walk with my camera. This is where we started out – in an alley where Hui-chen’s aunt and uncle live.
And this is the other end of the alley.
I thought I would take a bunch of street photos to try and give our readers and idea what it’s like to walk down a typical street in Taiwan. Unless you’ve been here it’s hard to imagine just how commerce oriented Taiwan really is. It seems that everyone is selling something, just about everywhere.
Shops expand to take up surrounding space.
And sidewalks become places to display goods for sale.
Hardware store.
I’m sure that licenses were obtained and royalties are regularly paid for these images.
This is a potable water station. You cannot drink water directly from the tap in Taiwan (and many other Asian countries I might add). This station pumps filtered water into your container for bringing home to drink. This person is filling containers on their scooter.
Evidently there is a morning market here.
Phoenix was a good girl and minded Papa as we walked together.
Back at Auntie’s, Phoenix enjoys some strawberry ice cream, while sitting on Hui-lien’s lap (my wife’s older sister).
Later, we all took a walk over to the sports stadium.
This tree was in a neighbor’s yard. The fruit is called “Buddha Head” because of the shape.
When walking down the road, this is the first glimpse of the sports stadium. The official name is the “Kaohsiung World Games Stadium.”
The roof is lined with solar panels (more on this later).
There is a nice park surrounding the stadium.
The little “river” that runs through the parks has lots of fish, which Phoenix liked.
This sign explains about the design goals.
This closeup of the English section will make it much easier for you to read. When the stadium is operational, the roof mounted solar panels generate about 80% of the power needs.
But the stadium is sitting idle most of the time. Some places need a repaint.
We went down to the basketball courts. Phoenix is learning how to throw a frisbee.
Hui-chen holds Phoenix so she can try to throw a basket. This was so cute!
Then Mommy used the bubble gun to make bubbles for Phoenix to chase – her favorite game of all! Look at that face!
Phoenix making bubbles….
She just loves this bubble gun!
Here you see my wife, Hui-chen (in the grey skirt and pink top) playing basketball with family members.
Believe it or not, I’ve never actually played a game of basketball and I have no idea what to do, but apparently my wife does!
Wow, Mommy jumps!
Phoenix enjoys the fish in the little river beside the stadium.
I leave you with this final shot – posted on quite a number of utility poles in the neighborhood.
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Looks like everyone had fun playing basketball. How did you get though high school never playing basketball?
hi Carolyn. actually it was easy. in all three years of HS, i attended each grade at a different school (across 2 states i might add), so none of the coaches had any idea who i was when i showed up for PE. they didn’t pressure me into playing anything – which is good because actually i can’t stand sports. i’ve only ever seen a complete game of basketball once or twice – and never a complete football game. i’ve been to a few baseball games but i end up looking at the people in the stands and not paying attention to the game. it’s probably because i don’t understand what the players are doing (and i don’t care!). my eyes glaze over when sports are on TV. i just don’t get sports at all. people get upset over games and i just laugh. i was a guitar player in HS, and had long hair. i hung out with other musicians and never the jocks. so that’s the story! take care Carolyn.
Football is the game I do not understand.
My husband plays the guitar too. He injured his shoulder a few months ago and it is too painful for him to play now. We are hoping his shoulder gets better so he can play with the group at the Senior Center again.
You take care too.
hi Carolyn. i’m sorry to hear about your husband’s injury – and all the more so because he’s a guitar player and it’s affecting his playing! in Asia you can buy little EMS stimulators with electrodes that plug into the hand held unit. something like that might help him heal faster, but i don’t know if you can get those in the USA. please let us know how he’s doing. and you too of course. thanks Carolyn, and take care.