Today (5/28) we started the morning off early in order to get to the high speed train in time. Although, it was good to start our day off early, I found myself exhausted all day. Riding the high speed train was cool because it was shaped differently than any train I have been on and it moved super fast. I noticed that the front of the train was trianglar which must have helped the train get up to speed. After we rode the train for 30 minutes, we got off and hoped back onto our bus and headed for science park. This was an area that was full of science buidings (mainly specializing in semi-conducters). We got a tour of the museum which showed how semi-conducters could be used which was insightful because it was things I didn’t know contained them. I also found it interesting how they had power plants just centered in science park with the sole purpose of giving science park power.
We then headed to Hsinhu city God temple. Once thing I immediately noticed was how much smokier it was compared to the other temples that we had been in before. I also noticed how the gods were protrayed almost like giant figures instead of the golden statues we have seen everywhere else. While there were golden statues, these bigger depictions of the Gods were in front. It was interesting to compare the different people and I noticed this temple was not nearly as populated as the previous ones we have visited. There was also a wide mix of people there, no one specific age or gender. It was cool to watch people pick up red strings and bless then in order to give them to someone they liked in hopes of being matched made.
We then headed to a cool old couple of houses which we learned were painted by young Chinese men who were not allowed to return home from the war. I thought it was interesting to see a place full of such history and attempting to understand the meaning behind their paintings. I also liked how there was a wall full of cards that people had left with well wishes towards others. A local man also informed us that when the government took control over this and tried to force people out, they started painting over some of the original artwork. I think this in itself shows what these people were forced to go through as they were taken away from their families at a young age and not allowed to go back for almost 40 years.
