2010-08-17

感動之後

感動之後
Fritz
這是我第二次參加僑委會主辦的台灣文化研習營,去年和今年的我因為身份的不同,因此經歷很多新的事物,也體會到很多不一樣的事情。但是在這兩年裡,我一直思考著相同的問題,什麼是「台灣文化」?什麼能代表台灣?台灣的核心價值是什麼?
其實,一個國家的核心精神並不會先驗的豎立在那邊;換句話說一個國家的特色、核心精神,並不會像理論的定義一樣,各個地方都必須符合定義所描繪的特色。我們之所以了解一個國家的精神與價值,往往是從歷史演變、社會結構、政經體系去構築而來;而了解這些大架構之前,我們必須夠了解各個地方的風土,否則一切將會顯得模糊、空洞。德國的文化其實是各個邦所綜合的體系,例如慕尼黑的啤酒、普魯士萊茵省[1]的馬克思、斯圖加特的賓士;日本同樣的是由過去各個藩國所形成的文化,奈良大佛、京都藝妓、信州味增……
之所以會談論上述的想法,是這兩年來的行程所帶給我的思考。基本上,不管是台灣代表或者是輔導員,對於在台灣生活了20多年的我來說,很多地方、事物我也是第一次經歷;兩年都是依循著行程,從台北向東邊的太平洋出發,繞過台灣南端的海角七號,再從南部府城往西部北上埔里、內灣,甚至離開本島到了澎湖,最後再回到台北。當然,路線相似,但體驗的東西卻很不一樣。去年的主題是味道、今年的主題是台灣演藝的頂真精神;而我們就是透過行程裡一個個地方的體驗以及作業,最後呈現我們所希望帶給海外青年朋友的核心想法、概念。可是我一直在想,假設我們不給予任何主題,如果單純透過這些路線的體驗,學員們會得到怎樣的台灣意象?
這兩年來的旅程,我覺得做到了一個認識台灣最重要的一個切入點,那就是感動!要讓我們這些年或多或少認識台灣的朋友們,深刻的了解台灣,首先你要先讓大家產生好感、感動。有了這樣的基礎,才能進一步了解真正的台灣。然而什麼是真正的台灣呢?老實說,生活在台灣20幾年,我也不能說了解真正的台灣;兩星期的體驗,更是有所難度。其實,我們這樣一站站的走,要給學員體驗的,大概都想呈現台灣最好的一面,不管是感官上、文化深度、道不道地。
或許是在行程中,要符合主題的關係;這些當然都是台灣的側面,不過感覺跟日常所處的台灣好像有這麼一點的不同。不過既然要談真,那麼衝突的部分也是我們必須傳達的。因為就算是生活在台灣幾十年的台灣人,也都有所衝突,而且也都在我們身邊發生,花東的開發、核四興建與否、竹南大埔土地徵收爭議 ……這原因當然很多,在這裡不多做討論。或許在一面讓學員愛上台灣時,另一方面又要讓學員體會台灣的衝突面是有點困難;只是我想說的是,即使是我們所體會看似美好、令人感動的情景;背後所累積的衝突或歧異,也都是台灣「真」的一面。同時深刻理解台灣的美麗與哀愁,是我們能更加與這塊土地共同打拚的動力。
[1]現萊茵蘭‧普法爾茨

2010-08-02

You Will All Be Missed - OCAC 2010

Time is so short! It feels like it was yesterday when I was packing my luggage, and now I am unpacking. Sieving through the photos with endless smiley faces and weird poses/positions really made me realise what a great time we had. And of course, where would we be without our leaders. To Even - thanks for ALL the wonderful stories as well as keeping us in line and on track for the trip. And of course, the bubbly personality that brought laughter to the group with the most fun we could ever have. To Yin-Hsieh - for the lame jokes, sharing Taiwanese experiences, and becoming the subject of many silly things that K/Cristine were able to come up with. To Nancy - for being so cool the whole trip while adding inserts/commentaries from time to time trying get us to appreciate TW just that little bit more ^^. To Hedy - for introducing to some of us your interesting tastes of drinks and foods in TW, some of which were truly bizarre! To The Boss - for the calm and cool attitude that you managed to put up until the very last few days. And your lovely little daughter, how cute ^^. Last and definitely NOT the least - to my group's very own Fritz who started out quiet and shy but gradually got resurrected to become the centre of attention (actually more like the laughing stock, but it was all love~). What can I say about Fritz ... well let the following noises be my voice :

1. Gwee Gwee
2. Ooh no ~ (the "no" is pronounced with a high pitch)
3. Oh my god ~ (the "god" is pronounced with another high pitch, best said off-pitch)
4. Lots of hand-waving, with a sexy stare over the glasses (not looking through them)

THANKS TO ALL THE LEADERS for making the OCAC camp so memorable! Miss u all already!!

With the trip itself, from the exhilarating drumming to arts & crafts, or the water activities to nights markets, and even from the very sweaty martial arts to the relaxing tea tastings, Taiwan has, once more, become alive inside me. It made me proud to be a Taiwanese, to speak its language and be proud of its culture and people. And I'm fairly sure that everyone on this trip would all feel the same. But the thing I miss most now (after only leaving TW for one day) is all of you who made me laugh, who beared with me from learning your names a week into the trip and still getting countless times wrong, who tolerated my lame jokes and the need for attention and participation in group hugs and photos, who pointed with disgust when I do stupid things. All of you will be missed. Love u all! ^^

2010-08-01

This is the URL of the video played at the end of Fritz's group's final presentation.

I'm missing you all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKYidglA3gE

To our very own Fritz

1. Gwee Gwee

2. Ooh no ~ (the "no" is pronounced with a high pitch)

3. Oh my god ~ (the "god" pronounced with a high pitch)

4. lots of hand-waving, with a sexy stare over the glasses

THESE ARE ALL THE THINGS WE MISS FROM OUR VERY OWN FRITZ !!!! miss u already and thanks to everyone for making the OCAC camp so memorable!

2010-07-30

Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

Today I woke up in my warm bed in Penghu to the pitter patter of Taiwan’s infamous drenching rains. I should have known right then that the day would be off to a shaky start. The rain forced us to abandon our original plans as we made our way to the main island of MaGu from JiBei, the island where we were staying. On the larger island, we visited the PengHu Living Museum where we learned more about the people and past of PengHu. Incredibly modern, the Museum greeted visitors with pictures of the various faces of PengHu both young and old. Also included in the Museum was a small replica of an older PengHu village where it was great to see the older architecture of the time as well as its layout. It was also great to see a model replica of PengHu’s famous rock/coral fishing traps where fish are herded into enclosed areas near the shore where they can’t escape and fisherman can catch them with nets. Soon after, we boarded a plane for Taipei City where we saw some spectacular views of Taiwan at night from the sky in the company of some amazing people.
Daniel Chu

2010-07-29

Motorycycling

Today, after group performance practice, some of us went to Gong Guan and then Le Hua Night Market when we realized all the Gong Guan was closed by eleven.  The highlight of this night market trip would be riding on the back of Lev's motorcycle!!  I was really sad when riding motorcycles didn't work out back at Penghu even though I was scared out of my wits to try it with a poor bicycle riding background.

Anyway, riding was really fun even though Lev got lost on the way for what he claims was the first time in his life.

The great part happened, however, on the way back.  We pulled up to a stop light after I had just declared myself a motorcycle riding pro when a guy on another motorcycle pulls up next to us & taps Lev on the shoulder and asks "這是你的嗎? (Is this yours?)"  Lev had just lost his phone and he was like uhhhh no BUT IT WAS MIIINE!  I was in mini-shock and was like "Wahhh 真的是我的 (It's really mine)" and after quickly handing off the phone, he rode off to the left leaving Lev & me in the darkness silenced...  YES IT WAS THAT COOL.

Also, motorcycles aren't allowed to turn left in Taiwan.  HE TURNED LEFT SO GOOD.  HAO SUAI.

I didn't even know I'd dropped my phone though I remember hearing something hit the floor and then seeing something fly back but I checked for my wristlet & in finding it in place, thought nothing of it.  Lev also heard it & thought even less of it.  But this dude ust pulled up, dropped a line, returned a phone, and drove off without a token of our gratitude.  Dude I didnt know I was missing my phone, I have the luckiest life everrrr.