Going for the Green on a Chilly Day 東岳湧泉及林場文化之旅

There are times that you just can’t kill two birds with one stone. I went on outing today instead of joining the goldies’ reading. The reading wasn’t postponed as I thought, and an outing registered was the harvest of great efforts, so I took the train cruise. It was a pity definitely not being able to enjoy other goldies’ sharing of the articles. The least I could do was having my reading done of course.

The two projects of today’s train cruise to DongAo are “百樹可樂 Joy over a hundred Trees” and an in-depth cultural tour to 羅東林業文化園區ZhuLin. Amazing Virginia got fourteen of us going on the Green Hunt. She gave me that it-doesn’t-worth-making-a-big-fuss-about-it look, so I did what I was very good at “enjoy the moment!” I left home shortly after 5:30 am, didn’t have time to prepare fruit that I like except grabbing some oranges and star fruit. There I was, on time! How excited I was already.

A big Group -Ten among fourteen were new faces to me, they are all Virginia’s buddies, YMS volunteers. I felt easy and relaxed still because they were all in high spirits and cheerful when greeting me even at such an early hour. They were so easy to befriend me even I was kind of an intruder in a way. The only nuisance was the chilly weather, a big drop of temperature from yesterday’s pleasant one. After light chatting and taking a few group photos to kick off the journey, we were all well seated on the train. Soon a big bag of tangerines was circulated for everyone to share. I couldn’t bear to see my bag, five oranges, a big star fruit. Should I take it out? Oh, no! I forgot to bring a knife. Well, I decided to play hard the role as a taker/receiver this time to enjoy what was given to me. And all the way on the trip, I kept being a taker, the feeling was unprecedentedly sweeter. Unlike before I also got the chance to be a good listener because listening to them was much more enjoyable and enlightening than talking this time. How I wanted to be like them to be a YMS volunteers, selfless and big-hearted. Yet it’s an impossible dream for me for at least another ten years.

百樹可樂 - Time flew like an arrow, we were in DongAo for the activity “百樹可樂 Joy over
a hundred Trees”. There was a garden party with stands of artifacts and food, entertaining aboriginal and hot dances waiting for us. To promote the green globe vision, the authority also prepared many saplings for tourists to plant them with their own hands. Everyone could enjoy the excitement of the sense of accomplishment. Since the park was not big, the stands were not many and the programs were not new to me, I finished touring and eating long before the gathering time. The wind was strong. So I walked back to the station with one of the companies to enjoy the warm air in the train. Ha, Virginia was a few steps before me. She finished touring, too. When arriving at the station, a big Truck was parking there fully loaded with saplings. They were giving away all the saplings for free. What do you know? Though I don’t have a green thumb, nor am a diligent gardener, I couldn’t resist the free gift and took two. Half of us went back early and rested in the train for more than half an hour before others coming back. To get something to do, we took some more photos with the plants we got to record it.
http://picasaweb.google.com.tw/vlee1009/090314#
http://picasaweb.google.com.tw/taipeitmtrini/FYVsbF

羅東林業文化園區ZhuLin - Finally the train took off heading for LoDong. Four of us who took last train tour saw the park already, so we sneaked out to the restaurant “林場肉羹” to taste their famous meat stew first. We didn’t have the chance to visit the eater last time due to time rush. Certainly wouldn’t want to miss it again at any rate! What a crowd! Customers Had to grab any seat they saw empty, gulped down the meat stew, walked out the eater, and pay the money, all finished in shortly ten min. So we still had plenty of time to stroll in the park again. Then Virginia ordered ten bowls of meat stew to go for other ten to eat in the park to make sure they wouldn’t miss it. How thoughtful and quick-witted.

Ah, I forgot to mention the volunteer guide Mr. 宋金來. It was him again guiding our tour. How interesting! He was same humorous, cheerful and full of life. After enjoying the beauty of the park and breathing enough fresh air, we took the shuttle bus to the factory that made thousand-year eggs and healthy drinks. After enjoying some free try and buying some souvenirs. We were on the train again ready to go home. Unexpectedly, someone kept pouring out snacks. You see I kept receiving snacks from others this time enjoying other’s hospitality. I was truly well taken care of. The train will stop at FoLong Station for a few min. on the way back to Taipei. Though I was quite full, I still ordered a dinner box from the vender because I couldn't forget the tasty lunch box we had last time at FoLong. Must take this chance to taste it again.

The weather seemed to get warmer and warmer. Yet soon after the sun came out, it turned dark again. It would have been a perfect tour if the weather was less cold and the wind was less strong. Couldn’t believe I did it again riding the tour train. Pity that most of the train cruises are on weekdays. I was truly lucky to have made it for three times, but when will the next time be?

Trini

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