Today was 228 Peace Memorial Day 228和平紀念日 in T'áiwān 台灣, a day off for many people, but not for my wife, unfortunately. The owners of the company where she works feel that there is no reason to observe this particular national holiday, apparently believing the slaughter of tens of thousands of islanders by forces from the Chinese mainland, and the ushering in of forty years of repressive authoritarian rule, isn't worth remembering. Pamela's bosses may or not be blue (politically speaking), but the sky was definitely azure on this gloriously warm day, and my daughter and I had a nice time together today.
We began by going to Chúngchèng Park 中正公園 for a short hike. The trail I had intended for us to take was closed, however, so we had to make due with a stroll. Amber enjoyed checking out a couple of Taoist temples, and looking for the biggest stones to launch from a bridge into a creek down below.
Amber beseeches the gods of Tàoism 道教 for whatever favors a five year-old girl might think of.
In the afternoon, we drove into Táichúng 臺中, where we met up with my friend Steve and his children, Zoey and Eli. Going to a nearby park, the kids enjoyed riding their bikes, playing with bats and balls, digging in the dirt and making mud pies, and generally just enjoying childhood. Which was probably the best way to enjoy this holiday, when you think about it.
My future big-league star.
A marauding biker gang terrorizing the streets of Táichúng.
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