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IN THIS ISSUE

• Kate Brookfield begins a story about a recent field trip
• We learn the history of an active senior computer guru
• Zvonko Springer writes about items in the last issue
• The City Farmer tells of a growing interest in city gardens
• Gerrit de Leeuw´s story is about a trumpeted arrival
• Bill McNair, Shirley Hargreaves, and Stan French suggest websites

Kate Brookfield describes a

JOURNEY ALONG THE SOUTH-EAST COAST OF TAIWAN

Taiwan is an island formed from the collision of China with the northern Philippine islands about 10 million years ago. Geologically, it is a new island. There are two main mountain ranges. The coastal range in the island´s south east is all volcanic, part of the old arc that collided with China. The central range is sedimentary, part of the edge of the Chinese margin. The highest mountain in north-east Asia, Mt. Syueshan, at 3883 metres, is in Taiwan´s central range. Michael´s research area is the coastal range mountains on the south- east of the island.

In April we went on a road trip for him to survey the area for his study. I was allowed to tag along for the ride. The driver, Barry, a post-doctorate researcher at Academia Sinica, was our driver and guide. (It is usual for the Taiwanese to take an English name to make it easier for foreigners. Would we do the same for foreign visitors? Barry chose his name after a baseball player he admired.) He is now a geochemist, but studied the geology of this area as an undergraduate. We were fortunate to have him as a translator and for his knowledge of the area. He knew good places to stay, had friends along the route, and most important, he was an excellent driver, a necessity for travel on the treacherous twisting mountain roads at the edge of high cliffs with sheer drops to the rocky ocean below.

Taipei is situated in the central northern tip of Taiwan. Our journey was down the south-east coast route on the Pacific side to the city of Hualien, and further south to the outskirts of Taitung city, covering almost three-quarters of the south-east length of the island. As with my other stories, the best description of the terrain is shown in my photos.

I was warned that the journey might not be very comfortable as we would most probably be travelling in a Jeep and I would be in the back. But when Barry arrived early on Tuesday, April 8th, he was driving a brand new SUV. He was pleased that the department had been generous with the vehicle provided for us. I was even more pleased.

Our route was on Highway 9 from Taipei to Hualien. Soon after leaving Taipei we entered a long road tunnel through the centre of the mountain range. This long tunnel through the mountains is one of the world´s engineering accomplishments, particularly as the island is prone to earthquakes. The completion of this tunnel opened up the island as previously the east coast was virtually inaccessible by road and its rugged coastal shoreline prohibits entry by sea. For these reason, the eastern coast is known to the Taiwanese as the "Pure Coast" because it is comparatively unspoiled and from the geological perspective not well studied. Unfortunately, travel through a tunnel did not give much opportunity for seeing the mountains we were driving through.

After the tunnel the road is along the coast road. The first city we came to was the small city of Suao in Ilan County. We stopped outside the city at a scenic stop to admire the view of the sea and the cliffs. We enjoyed a fancy cappuccino coffee from a grubby-looking refreshment stall. Barry was amazed that we could pay the exorbitant cost of 50 NT ($1.50) for a drink. He had his coffee from a flask he brought with him.

Suao, with a population of about 45,000, is a port town, but nothing much to write about. This area seems to be mainly cement-making factories, so we did not stop. It is, however, the gateway to the scenic Yuchang Highway, which goes through the famous National Taroko Gorge Park. The road between Suao and Hualien is treacherous and scary. It has many hairpin bends and is very close to the cliff edge, with straight drops to the rocks and raging sea below. In some places a 1,000 metre sheer drop to the rocky Pacific. I was glad our driver knew the route and kept his eyes on the road and not on the rocks.

Barry was going to book us into a hotel in the downtown area so it would be convenient for me to mooch about the city while he and Mike went off looking at rock exposures, but the hotel price was more than their allowance. We drove to the beach area to check out the hotels there, but they were even more expensive. So I spent a pleasant time walking by the sea, while Mike and Barry went further afield climbing up and down cliff faces. It was difficult walking on the round sea- smoothed pebbles and although I did wade at the water´s edge, I was thankful for my Teva sandals. I couldn´t have done it in bare feet. Swimming was out of the question as there was a strong current and a steep shelf. So I contented myself with enjoying the sound and smell of the sea and watching a local fisherman.

When the guys came back, we walked up the hill to a temple where the women invited us to sit with them and they brought tea and fruit. One of the women spoke good English and had a business in computer parts and frequently went to the USA. The temple was dedicated to a local man who was considered a martyr for saving the country from something or other. Maybe an invasion?

Meanwhile, Barry had phoned a friend and arranged our accommodation at a Home Stay next door but one to Barry´s long time friend from his school days. Home Stay accommodation is similar to our B & Bs, except the owner is not living on the site. Our ´house´ was like a palace. The furnishing was very modern and artistic with a large bedroom and a full living room with flat screen TV and computer, plus a kitchen and a balcony overlooking the local park.

That night Barry´s friend, wife, and brother treated us to a traditional Taiwan hot pot meal at a restaurant near the harbour. The black marble tables were rectangular, though usually Chinese restaurants have round tables with a central revolving insert. In this restaurant the centre of the table had a lower central section in which were set gas burners, one for each place setting.

First we had to choose a soup as a base. We chose tomato and it came in a large metal pot which was placed on the burner. The flame could be controlled with a knob at hand level under the table. Next, we were taken to a buffet table where we had to choose our sauces. The different sauces were put on a small plate like an artist´s palate. When we got back to our places there was a huge pile of vegetables for each person on a large plate. Cabbage leaves on top and under, a selection of many different vegetables and some tofu, of course. We were told to put the cabbage in the pot first as a kind of lining to the pot and then everything else was added to the boiling pot. We had to choose a meat dish, chicken, lamb, beef, pork, or fish. I chose lamb. The meat was very thinly sliced. We rolled each slice with the chopsticks and dipped it into the boiling soup until it was cooked then dipped in one of the sauces. One of the Taiwan friends had mixed all his sauces together, so I did the same. I must say it was the best sauce I have ever tasted, but wouldn´t know how to reproduce it. Another plate arrived with seafood including, shrimps, mussels, and clams and others I didn´t recognize. We were also given a fresh egg and our hosts told us we could decide how to cook it. One friend mixed the yolk with some of his sauces and dipped the meat in it before cooking, like a marinade. Another just broke the egg and dumped it in the hot pot.

It was a fun meal and our hosts were very kind, showing us their customs and making sure we were enjoying ourselves in Taiwan. It was a good thing that we have mastered the art of using chopsticks as I don´t think it would have worked so well with a fork and spoon. This friendliness is typical of all the people we have met here. The Lonely Planet Guide for Taiwan says that the best thing about Taiwan is the people, and I would agree.

To be continued.

This is a reproduction of an article in SeniorScope - a monthly publication edited, produced and distributed by an ambitious young lady, Kelly Goodman. Each issue is distributed free through a variety of locations in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba, and can be found in libraries, banks, shopping plazas etc. The following item appeared on May 1, 2008:

TOM (OLD GUY) KYLE

Why "Old guy?" you ask. Not because Tom is 76 years of age. Not because he has been married for 49 years. Not because he has two grandchildren. No, it´s because he found himself in an internet class at the St. James Collegiate several years ago, surrounded by students in their late teens and early twenties. After a few classes, this common phrase was often heard: "Ask the OLD GUY. He probably knows!"

You may remember Tom´s recent involvement with the U of W radio station, CKUW-FM. He, along with other seniors, presented a weekly radio show called "2000 and Counting."

Early photos of Jacqui and Tom Kyle

Born in Paisley, Scotland, Tom emigrated to Canada in 1950, living in Toronto and Kitchener, Ontario. He married his lovely wife Jacqui, a nurse, in 1959. They later moved to Winnipeg in 1964, raising a family of one son, Kerry, and a daughter, Leslie.

Tom had several careers with a bank, newspaper, construction, and sales. He had his own business in Winnipeg selling drills, taps, and fasteners to companies in the transportation industry from Thunder Bay throughout western Canada. When he was getting close to retiring, he closed shop.

All through Tom´s life, he had a keen interest in technological things. His interest grew by watching a weekly television show called "Computer Chronicles". He watched this religiously as there weren´t many books available on the topic at that time.

Then in 1985, Tom got his first computer - a Tandy CoCo2. It was a little box that plugged into a television set and it was DOS script which involved a lot of manual coding to get to the final result. It usually was a long, drawn-out task. The printer used adding machine tape.

In 1990, Tom got his first Macintosh computer. He was hooked. He couldn´t learn enough. He enrolled in computer and internet classes, consulted with others, and did a lot of his own trials and errors until he became as fluent as anyone can be at operating his Mac.

He forged ahead and got his first internet connection in 1993. After reading a Free Press article, he learned he could get an email address through the University of Manitoba (Mbnet), hence his first e- mail address - kyletomi@mbnet.ca.

Once connected, he was lost as to where to go next. Not many people had a computer, let alone internet access with e-mail capabilities. Who was he going to communicate with? What else was there to know?

Frustrated, he e-mailed and queried the reporter who wrote the Free Press article. Tom´s first incoming e-mail was the reporter´s well- meaning response: "Hi Tom - struggle along, like the rest of us!"

That was the beginning of the end. In a new chapter of Tom´s life, he was introduced to Frank Nokes in 1994. Frank was a member of Creative Retirement of Manitoba (CRM). With combined efforts, Frank and Tom started up a user group for seniors using Macintosh computers. M.U.G.S. - Macintosh User Group for Seniors was born and their first meeting consisted of five interested Apple Mac users in a small space provided by CRM.

Tom called on the then-president of CRM to voice his concerns on the size of space available, and lack of Mac computers. After some discussion, he ended up on the CRM board, serving as treasurer. However, it didn´t resolve the issue of the lack of Macs.

With word of mouth, the group grew and continues to do so despite lack of financial assistance from government-funded organizations. The group now boasts of about 50 members and meets regularly at the Good Neighbours Senior Centre at 755 Henderson Hwy, in Winnipeg.

It discourages Tom that public organizations such as libraries, senior centres and senior training centres, don´t have Macintosh computers available on their premises.

If you would like to become a MUGS member or would like more information, you can visit http://mugswpg.itsamac.com/mugs/index.html or visit Tom´s personal web site, http://www.oldguy.ca, and click on the MUGS link. Or e-mail Tom at oldguy@mts.net.

Tom continues to try to keep up with the developments and changes in computing. Web page design has become a new passion for him. His current project is the website for the RCMP Vets´ annual general meeting which will be held in Winnipeg this June. The site is www.agm08.ca.

And of course, Tom built his own website, www.oldguy.ca, plus several others for various organizations. He has plans to build a new one for the "oldguy" sometime in the future.

Until then, Tom is still expanding his computer knowledge and pressing keys to fulfil his passion and to explore the depths of cyberspace further.

CORRESPONDENCE

Zvonko Springer comments on last week´s contents:

We would like to express our appreciation of Kate Brookfield´s series of articles about Taiwan. Of course I have to find and open the many web-sites containing pictures of her visit.

As usual, Rafiki´s poem, "How True It Is", went straight into our hearts, speaking about the problems and feelings of old age.

Gerrit de Leeuw made us both laughing aloud. My best of wives is also a very reasonable woman! We have been married for 56 years plus 11 months already!

ED. NOTE: Ljiljana has just celebrated her 80th birthday, and I know you join me in wishing her many happy returns of that momentous occasion.

Michael Levenston forwards part of an article from the NYT:

URBAN FARMERS´ CROPS GO FROM VACANT LOT TO MARKET

"For years, New Yorkers have grown basil, tomatoes, and greens in window boxes, backyard plots and community gardens. But more and more New Yorkers like the Wilkses are raising fruits and vegetables, and not just to feed their families but to sell to people on their block.

"The Wilkses now cultivate plots at four sites in East New York, paying as little as $2 a bed (usually 4 feet by 8 feet) in addition to modest membership fees. Last year the couple sold $3,116 in produce at a market run by the community group. East New York Farms, more than any of their neighbors.

"The Red Hook farm began in 2003 when the Parks Department gave the youth group Added Value permission to use an abandoned three-acre asphalt ball field. The group started with two raised beds, built a hoop house where it could start seeds, then laid down an acre of compost two feet deep on top of the asphalt. Last year the young farmers sold more than $25,000 in goods.

"On a fringe of Philadelphia, a non-profit demonstration project used densely planted rows in a half-acre plot and generated $67,000 from high-value crops like lettuces, carrots and radishes.

"In Milwaukee, the non-profit Growing Power operates a one-acre farm crammed with plastic greenhouses, compost piles, do-it-yourself contraptions, tilapia tanks, and pens full of hens, ducks and goats - and grossed over $220,000 last year from the sale of lettuces, winter greens, sprouts and fish to local restaurants and consumers."

To read the whole article about an idea whose time has come, go to

http://www.cityfarmer.info/

Gerrit de Leeuw forwards this one:

THE ARRIVAL

When the graveside service had no more than terminated, there was a tremendous burst of thunder, accompanied by a distant lightning bolt and more rumbling thunder.

The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, "Well, she´s there."

SUGGESTED WEBSITES

Bill McNair reminds us of the World Life Science CLock:

http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf

Shirley Hargreaves forwards the URL for a video about an inspirational teacher, Lorrie Williams, with whom I taught school years ago and who now serves on the New Westminster city council:

http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/healtheducation/ educating_margaret.html

Stan French sent the URL for a website which shows peregrine falcons hatching:

http://www.canada.com/globaltv/ontario/story.html?id=79d502b0-6207-435b-adee-21d3b9266638&k=0

The soul is born old but grows young. That is the comedy of life. And the body is born young and grows old. That is life´s tragedy. - Oscar Wilde