day 18: the real deal

Last night and through this afternoon was a terrible typhoon that hit the entire island of Taiwan. Fortunately that meant we got a break from working. But at around 2:00PM Max rushed us out of here to go to the workshop because he got a phone call that the Ami were waiting for us, remember its raining very hard and strong winds. It completely touched my heart, they wanted to work on their day off, they were excited and rarin' to go! When we got there, people were hanging out, kind of the mingling part before the meeting. With warm hospitality they gave us beer, rice wine, beetle nut, and cigarettes.

And then I met the real deal, Arik. There she is pictured above. It was actually really sweet moment, when she found out I had her name, she grabbed her husbands hat off his head and put it on like mine!

Shuan Roo translated a little conversation between us. Arik was just so excited that one of the guests was named after her, she was talking really loud with enthusiasm. She said her claim to fame was that she gets a phone call to be invited to every party, every church in the area knows Arik, and even people in Taipei know the name Arik. I told her it was an honor to be named after her. She shook my hand and said:

"Ka ku ci Arik," ("My name is Arik" in Ami) " ki su ci Arik. " ("Your name is Arik" in Ami)

day 17: first build with the Ami

This is a picture of the work we did tonight, the beginning framework for a giant turtle. After the bamboo frame is made, the next step is to paper mache it with thin paper. I'm installing lights inside, which will be powered by a car battery and it will light up like a lantern; since next Friday we are having a night parade. I think it will be beautiful.

I worked with three people from the Ami tribe (it's pronounced ah-meice), all over the age of 50, maybe even 60. It was a treat to work with them, such firecrackers. In the Ami tribe, women are dominant and highly regarded, it was amazing to witness this dynamic, since I was working with two women and one man. The men backing off and letting the women use the nail gun---how fantastic. Overall I had a really good time, probably some of the most fun I've had in any workshop previously. People just laughing, but working hard. They picked up how to build so quickly and I was learning from them, incredibly rewarding. Within the first hour, Max (the director of this workshop and translator) told me that they thought I was terrific, the feeling was definitely mutual. I am very much looking forward to working with them again tomorrow night and in the next week.

The float is based on the story, "O'enip pasiutana'ayo pangcnh koren to dateng" ("How the turtle teach Ami tribe to eat wild grass"). A story about a boy whose stepfather thew him off the boat to "get rid of him." But he actually survives and becomes stranded on an island, but then this giant old turtle appears. The turtle watches over him and teaches him how to survive. But the turtle doesn't talk to the boy, he just watches what the turtle eats and how it lives. Years later the turtle finally talks to the boy and tells him to go to the mountain and learn from the monkey, goat and bird, he has nothing else to learn from the turtle and the island. And so he does. About a decade later, the boy desires to reunite with his family, the turtle returns and takes him to his mother. When he comes back to his people, he teaches them everything he learned while he was away and helps the Ami become a stronger people.

My plan for the float will be this giant turtle and tall giant blades of grass behind it, the grass will also be lit underneath. On the turtles neck, we be a real human boy who will be able to move the turtle's head left and right. I am hoping to make the fins of the turtle bounce smoothly with rubber tire. We shall see.

Tonight all the people from the tribe gave me my Ami name, "Aneck" (I am not sure of the spelling, but that is how it sounds). It means a person always working and strong. I think it's a good thing.

it's done and watch it dance

Here it is! moving and grooving. I'm proud of my self and glad the project is over. Well, almost. The crotch area ripped during this number(it's jessie in the puppet) and I need to reinforce that area. It was my first pair of pants and I'm glad they ripped now versus in the middle of the parade.

Right now I am waiting to go meet the Ami tribe, check out the workshop space, figure out what we are making and think quickly because the parade is next Friday. I'm chillaxing right now, but I imagine, the next week is going to be tough, but ultimately fun. Making one float, about 10' x 15' in one week sounds nearly impossible. But the cool thing is, it is a night parade, which one means a little emore time to make it and the option of illumination. So I want to make something big and simple that will be lit up like a lantern.

day 16: finished and i'm pooped

it's so late snd it has been many nights in a row where I go to bed this late. I'm about to fall asleep in this chair, but I'd thought to share an major accomplishment. don't worry better photos to come. but I did finish the puppet, there are a few things I could done in addition, but I can't work on it anymore. Also take note of the yellow fabric to the right, those are my first pair of drawstring pants I've ever made. the fit funny in the crotch.

Even though it has been a rigorous two weeks, I've been working gladly the majority of the time, I loved working on the puppet and love being here.

day 15: almost done

I tried to finish tonight, but the puppet theater was locked and I couldn't access the sewing machine upstairs. I decided it was the world telling me to go to sleep. All I have to do is sew on one more arm (not pictured), paint it, and figure out the best way to manipulate the hands without hurting the puppeteer too much.

Maybe staring a workshop tomorrow afternoon, but it seems rather unlikely, nonetheless my first one on this trip. I am nervous and excited. It is actually nearby and just a 10 minute drive. All three of us (me, jessie, and jeri) will teach the Ami tribe to make one giant float each. I think it will be about two weeks.

One thing I have been told is the Ami tribe is the largest aboriginal population in Taiwan, however the majority of tribe have moved to urban areas for financial reasons. I imagine I will learn more about them in the next few weeks. Here's more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ami_people

Day 14: the land of soft rock

We went to Jiufen today on our day off. A small village in the mountains, just about 40 minutes away north, that was once called "Little Shanghai" for the gold discovered in the area in the 1900s. It was once the largest exporter of gold to Japan. But now it is a sweet place to visit that tourist go to and it's beautiful. It's famous for it's main street that is tucked away, it is wind-y, narrow and crowded; full of things to buy, eat, and see. When we got there we played a funny video game with drums, then walked up a steep mountain for a spectacular view, walked down the busy street and had dinner at a tea house overlooking the harbor. It was a lovely day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jioufen

Gorden, the big boss, drove us to Jiufen and on our way there he asked me a question, "Is Air Supply popular in America?" One of their songs was playing on the radio and I laughed very hard. After I composed myself I said, "Yes, about 20 years ago." This wasn't too much of a surprise being that soft rock, classic rock ballads or easy listening seem to be all that airs on the radio here.


the drumming video game


the steep walk up the mountain


the main street


the harbor


jeri, me, and jessie


yes, those are giant chopsticks

day 11: taiwan is amazing

Katy (in the yellow shirt) took Jessie (in blue shirt) and I, along with her family, out on the town . . . of Shi-jr. First we went to the "night market," which is a cross between a flea market and a carnival. They have them all over Taiwan and Taipei has a gigantic famous one that I have yet to visit. It is stalls upon stalls of games, so much food and things to buy. Katy feed us and made an effort to only have us sample "special" things. Here in the photo we had this delicious shaved ice from a block of dry ice that was creamy with passion fruit topping. By far one of the most exciting desserts. Then we went to another part of town for "special" octopus balls and to this arcade where we went into an interactive photo booth. There no words that can really explain the incredible experience and sheer advance technology. This all happened in an hour and half.

When I got back to Dream Community, Jeri showed pictures from when they went to a dairy farm with the Piyuma Tribe in the Southeast, which seemed fun-er than any carnvial I've been to; that included people running in giant inflatable balls like a hamster, not to mention many cow sculptures for photo opportunities. Based on these two experiences (in addition to the last week and a half), Taiwan is amazing. It seems that people just eat tastey food all the time and have solid fun any time of night or day. Of course, only when they are not working six days a week and too many hours in one day.

happy birthday at dream community

Around dinner time, we are all just "hanging" around the office, acting casual. We were waiting for Katy to come back from a gig in Taipei. Tomorrow is her birthday and we had a surprise party for her. It was a little mean but sweet. She walked in and was immediately called into a meeting already happening. They then made her very upset by yelling at her, saying she made a big mistake about an upcoming project, and she never does anything right. It was pretty tense and uncomfortable, even it all being in Chinese. Then the climax was when JJ (a person on staff here) slammed a book on the table and everyone popped poppers, sprayed foam on her, and yelled "surprise." Then Tomas ran to get the cake and we sang happy birthday. The plan went well, except she cried alot because she was so upset about what they said to her and that she was deceived. In the end she was ok and apparently each year one person gets a trick played on them. This year was Katy's turn.