Thanksgiving in Tainan

For work we had to do something on Children's day, November 21st, which I was happy to do. A few years back I bought Z a book from the UN in English and Mandarin with kid like illustrations of the different rights children have. I combined this with Thanksgiving. Living in Taiwan teaching the kids, I sorta forgo all the Pilgrim story/myth and just try and talk about gratitude, being thankful. Its not their myth.

My class is only 4 years old, so its very basic. I showed them the book w/ illustrations and in basic English, sometimes sprinkled with basic Mandarin, they got the gist of most of the rights. It was my moment to indoctrinate the youngins with UN propaganda (that I whole heartily agree with), like every child has the right to shelter, food, education and health care. (There are some in America that would call that socialist, big sigh as I shake my head). We watched a few Youtube cartoons of the various rights, produced by the UN in cartoon form. The right to a fair trial, and open jury was probably the most difficult for them to understand, but two or three understood when I explained that 2 kids have a disagreement the teacher acts as a judge and cant play favorites.

For Thanksgiving, I was invited to one of the first foreign friend I made in Tainan, their house. Pat is American, his wife is Taiwanese, they have a son a few years older than Z. They had a houseful of coworkers and Uni students I never met before which was nice. It wasn't a typical Thanksgiving meal, but Joy provided Costco chicken and pumpkin pie, along with rice and Thai curry, pasta and clam chowder. I made a lovely (if I do say so) coleslaw with purple cabbage, pear and celery, a savory red onion and sweet potato tart, mashed potatoes and gravy. John another Yank thankfully brought wine and Imma's brownies. (Immas the Israeli bakery in Tainan, the best and most expensive bakery).

It was fun, Z was entertained by the 19 year old Uni kids. There was a young guy from Japan to round it out. I asked if he watched the recent Taiwanese epic (part 1 ) about the indigenous fighting the Japanese during their occupation of Taiwan.  He was honest and transparent (unlike the Japanese stereotype of the friendly face masking deeper contrary feelings). He was studying Theology to be a minister, an even greater rarity in Japan. I talked with the Spanish professor (from Barcelona so we had a lot to talk about).  He convinced me to formally apply to the job in Santiago. We talked about the myth of the 1st Thanksgiving meal, White guilt, the genocide of the Americas. It was nice to touch the surface with someone who already knew deeper collective tragedies and had no need to defend. History has the final say I suppose. And even then I bit my tongue about Japanese text books.

I was certainly thankful for a great evening even if it was late for a work/school night.

Hallows Eve in Tainan

Z went to a costume party at Tin Pan Alley on Friday. I didn’t think we were going to make it, I drove to the Red Wolf Bar and had to call a friend for directions (other side of the park.) Z was getting angry at me for not getting there. Most of the kids were Taiwanese, a few were mixed. I met the co-owners who were all nice, attentive and welcoming. All the kids got a mango juice and a slice of pizza. I had a mango martini, it was shockingly strong. I was glad to know I was returning for the very adult version the following night. On Monday was the 31st and my friend Allen, their kids and some of our friends we had a Halloween party. He had me carve a pumpkin and we took too many photos of our kids dressed up.

The Saturday night before Halloween was party night. All the foreigner pubs and bars had their thing going on. I had Z stay at my friend Grace’s house and I went to Tin Pan alley with coworkers Gina, Lulu, and Carmen. I was the only one who dressed up. I originally wanted to be a superhero, but my homemade ghetto get up did not turn out the same as I envisioned it. (Red shorts, blue tights, blue shirt and my daughter’s red cape, with a silver mask.) So I changed into a sea green dress, borrowed Z’s wings, silver shoes and hair and hoped I passed for a fairy.

There was live reggae and I was soon on my feet and danced the night away, literally. I didn’t get home til late the next morning and was exhausted. I had an excessive amount of fun, too much fun. I was making up for the past three years of never going out. I have lived in Taiwan for over three years and never went to Tin Pan, and never have gone out dancing in Tainan before. Sad but true.

I saw some old friends and made some new ones (and maybe a couple of enemies.) I was dancing with some guy and I guess his Taiwanese gf wasn’t happy about the whole things, but it was all innocent. There was one foreigner with a hideously insulting costume. I was shocked, other people I met were shocked, he was beyond tasteless, he was a misogynist to say the least. By the end of the night, with maybe one beer too many I had crossed the line. I went up to him and told him, “if he didn’t change his flipping costume, I was going to take him (pointing) over behind the alley and beat him out of it.” Needless to say he changed. I’m not proud of my aggression, but some people go too far. If someone wears such a costume, they obviously are expecting some kind of reaction.

I am much too old for sleepless nights, but dancing to live reggae, was beyond bliss.