華美

well honestly growing up there, i had my complaints! i couldn’t wait to leave and live in other places, but i do miss the trees. over near queens road, dilworth (if i’m remembering right) are these beautiful streets lined with huge trees.. branches stretching out over the road to meet tree branches from the other side. and it’s exciting to me to see the increase in cultural festivals there (bon odori japanese festival in august, literary and arts festival at freedom park in fall, greek festival at the orthodox church..)

other areas of north carolina are beautiful.. quiet mountains around brevard, asheville is great and funky with delicious brunch places.. chimney rock park has great hiking and waterfalls (scenes from “the last of the mohicans” were filmed here).. there are cool neighborhood cafes and bars in raleigh.. and it is fun to take road trips through the small towns and see little shops and a slower pace of life.

a sheep farm, in the middle of taiwan.. rolling green grass hills, surrounded by mountains, and sheep roaming around, so cute! they have some cows too..

a couple years ago.. and i really liked it there! one quiet night along the waterfront, there was an ensemble of musicians playing christmas carols on traditional chinese instruments in front of the giant kuanyin statue.. and they have a big christmas celebration at senada square. i love the mix of portuguese architecture style with chinese neon lights, and the cantonese cafes down the street from blue and white tiled fountains.

another interesting thing to see, is to go to the park, and see these elderly men who bring their birds in wooden cages.. and hang the bird cages on the tree branches while they chat. it is an odd sight! my friend told me this is called “walking the bird”.

my favorite though, was visiting coloane island.. beautiful beaches and a village area with traditional portuguese bakeries and restaurants nestled in alleys and squares with chinese market shops and hidden temples and shrines. there was a restaurant we went to.. called lisboa restaurant or lisboa cafe (lisboa something..) that has the best olives i have ever had in my life!! (don’t they look good?)