Camping in Kaoshiung

There appears to be some sort of national commitment to making sure that kids can feed themselves "in the wild" since almost every 8th grader in the country goes camping at least once. Sometimes it is only out onto the playing fields behind the schools, or at somebody else's school. Our crowd went whole hog, though, and went to a really nifty camping facility down in Kaoshiung. Since it was my birthday weekend and they said I could stay behind in the city for the weekend, and because I have always loved camping -- I went too.

We were 12 teachers and 280 8th graders in 6 buses all singing karaoke (the Taiwan national pastime) for the 2 1/2 hour trip down on Thursday. The camp is like a jumped up Boy Scout Camp run by the China Youth Corps, previously an anti-communist, para-military organization but now just social. It's a beautiful place with a big lake, lots of activities, and the most energetic counselors I have ever met. They are also absolute pros at getting kids fired up. Within an hour, our generally sullen and recalcitrant crowd was singing, jumping, clapping in unison and willingly doing all sorts of silly things together -- all at very high decibles.

After lunch (the teachers ate in a very nice dining hall) the kids had to set up tents. They got minimal direction, they were mostly supposed to figure it out. We all had to help to some degree but I was pretty amazed at how good they were. Then there was more shouting and running around and rope climbing, rope bridge walking, etc. and then they had to cook their own dinner on an open fire. Fairly easy food was provided but I was still amazed at how good they were.

After dinner was the main event. Each class, there are 8 eighth grade classes, had been practicing a dance. They were quite sophisticated, kind of part aborigine, part rock, part line dancing and part break dancing. Each class did something different and most had designed a special T-shirt for the occasion. These were done in front of a giant bonfire that shot fireworks out of itself while those not dancing at the moment were waving light sticks. It was beautiful. At the end of the kids, three of the counselors did a fire dance twirling bundles of burning switches in the dark. Amazing.

The kids then went back to their tents and we went to a hostel type place where the teachers slept very comfortably. Unfortunately, the rain which had been threatening all day really let loose on the kids and they had to be moved to an indoor gym for the rest of the night. The weather the whole weekend was pretty grim but didn't really get in the way except for that night.

In the morning after breakfast the activities continued -- a zip line, tug-o-wars, snake petting, more screaming and chanting, all while the teachers went out for coffee. I LOVE being a chaperone here! Then the kids had a barbeque lunch and we ate in the dining hall and then the farewell ceremonies. This is only a minor exposure to the great outdoors. By this time, though, the kids were all in love with the counselors and most of the girls were actively sobbing through the ceremony (the 14 year old girl universal pastime).

It all broke up at 2:00 PM and they gave me a lift into the city and the kids went home. I checked into our hotel and went to the train station to meet my 2 friends that were coming for the weekend.

We had a great time, eating good food, doing a little shopping, and touring the museum, Lotus Lake and the old British Consulate which was built in 1865 on the highest promontory overlooking the harbor. As usual, the Brits got the best real estate because it is just gorgeous up there, even on a cold dreary day. Much of the building has been turned into a restaurant with the usual combination of very high prices for mediocre food but you enjoy it anyway because to sit out there and enjoy this view is worth anything. We had met up with my roommate and her friend Brian (and his car!) so our touring was very comfortable. For dinner we went to a Greek restaurant which was super.

Home on Sunday to our apartment where, while I was away, winter had come. It was freezing in the place which had been open with both of us in Kaoshiung. I got everything closed but we have no heating source and like most places built for hot climates -- it can't deal with the cold. We have tile floors, no carpets, plaster walls and great ventilation which we love in summer but it is truly miserable now.

As it was my birthday, which I thought I had kept a secret but obviously hadn't, 18 members of my neighbor's family took me out for a wonderful Japanese dinner feast. I was so touched. All in all, a wonderful birthday weekend.