Bagua Mountain, Changhua Taiwan. This is my daily cardiovascular workout area. I have lost count of how many times I have walked these steps. Just beautiful, especially in the evening. It is also a nice refuge during the hot summer months because the temperature here can be as much as 5-7 degrees cooler than down in the city. Love it!
The color of these doors interested me enough to want to sketch them and their surroundings. I have drove by this old structure many times and I have never seen any of the doors open. I am very curious as to what is inside this building. For some reason, door number three keeps drawing my attention. I’ve noticed that the back section of roof is bowing more and more. I hope the owners repair it before it gives out. I’m sure they are aware of the roof. Maybe they will open the doors when and if they make repairs and I can get a peek inside.
I like how the bright blue doors mirror one another. This is one of many small temples in Changhua.
I have seen this same heavy equipment working the same spot on six or seven different times of the year. I wonder what the @#*& are they doing.
If you want to shop here -on foot- you are taking your life into your own hands.
The owner of this bike left this world two days ago. He was my neighbor and a wonderful old man. We became great friends even though we hardly ever talked. I taught him to say “What’s up?” when he saw me and “See Ya! we he left. He had great interest in my drawing and would bring some fruit or tea to the house so he could sit and look at my drawings. He was approaching 90 when he died and I am so sorry to see him go. I have learned some important life lessons living in Taiwan. What this old gentleman taught me is this. We are so, so, so, so much the same and just a little different. I wish everyone could remember this and try reaching out to people a little more than we do. Sometimes, just a smile will change your whole day. That’s what he taught me. Thank you old buddy. Rest in peace.
A great group of old (some not so old) soldiers who meet every Saturday to share war stories and play chess. They tolerated my sitting there sketching them and most of them were quite friendly. I salute all of them for whatever sacrifices they have made.
I went out looking for a particular store and for some reason was completely overwhelmed by the ocean of signs that confronted me. I stopped my scooter and let my frustrations flow out onto my trusty Moleskin. I feel much better now.
Everytime I see this poor old house, I think of the movie “Transformers”. With all the pipes, wires, tubes, rusted metal, and wood hanging here and there – it looks like it is trying to transform itself into something useful. A very sad thought indeed.
Urban sketching in Taiwan 