mAntcala

My spouse and I enjoy playing mancala variants. Thing is, we play them in addictive spurts. Once exhausted, we often store our boards for many months before the inevitable fall from the wagon. An undisturbed wooden one of ours once received guests.

“the top position”

On a whim, we took the High Speed Rail to Tainan and spent the night. We visited Chihkan Tower. On the site is a statue of Kui-Xing, believed by some to be a servant deity of a “God of Literature” named Wen-Chang.

By the statue were many of what appeared to be student identity cards hanging near a sign that explained the motivation of those who worship (click to enlarge and read).

While we observed the surroundings, a young gentleman walked in and faced the statue. With his hands together and head prostrated, he muttered with intensity. He then gazed at the sculpture with a hint of desperate hope and left. Elsewhere on site, a shoal competed for food human visitors paid 10NT for to toss into the human-made pool.

on moths, orchids, and darwin

Today. a tweet from my friend Alec led to this:

a weekend out of the city

A recent venture into the mountains of Wutai, southern Taiwan brought several pleasurable experiences. This waterfall with its nearby bridge was a favorite.

 

my 1st quake

It’s Friday, about 2:00 AM in Taiwan. I just experienced (what I believe to be) my “first” earthquake. The whole apartment was swaying, albeit gently, back and forth. I say “first” because I slept through one when living in Alexandria, Egypt about 10 years ago. Those who’ve lived their lives on cracks can surely shrug their shoulders with a “Meh”…but to me, that was something else!