fighting the Sherrill Robbins that is the name that my parents gave me when I
the name that my parents gave me when I
the name that my parents gave me when I was born but how she have other things
was born but how she have other things
was born but how she have other things one of them is lestrade oh that is my
one of them is lestrade oh that is my
one of them is lestrade oh that is my Chinese name that is what many of my
Chinese name that is what many of my
Chinese name that is what many of my friends in Taiwan call me but I have yet
friends in Taiwan call me but I have yet
friends in Taiwan call me but I have yet another name and that is father that is
another name and that is father that is
another name and that is father that is my indigenous own name that is the name
my indigenous own name that is the name
my indigenous own name that is the name that my sister younghui and makes over
that my sister younghui and makes over
that my sister younghui and makes over their life call me as you can see we are
their life call me as you can see we are
their life call me as you can see we are not related biologically we are not even
not related biologically we are not even
not related biologically we are not even related by marriage
related by marriage
related by marriage but we are family we are here at my
but we are family we are here at my
but we are family we are here at my brother’s home in the top of en
brother’s home in the top of en
brother’s home in the top of en community in the very beautiful a leash
community in the very beautiful a leash
community in the very beautiful a leash and national scenic area in southern
and national scenic area in southern
and national scenic area in southern Carolina my brother built his home with
Carolina my brother built his home with
Carolina my brother built his home with his own two hands and here you can
his own two hands and here you can
his own two hands and here you can really feel the love that he put into it
really feel the love that he put into it
really feel the love that he put into it from here is possible to see the
from here is possible to see the
from here is possible to see the surrounding mountains last December as
surrounding mountains last December as
surrounding mountains last December as we were eating breakfast here it was
we were eating breakfast here it was
we were eating breakfast here it was sunny
sunny
sunny but all of a sudden it started to rain a
but all of a sudden it started to rain a
but all of a sudden it started to rain a little bit and it wasn’t long before
little bit and it wasn’t long before
little bit and it wasn’t long before this rainbow came between us and the
this rainbow came between us and the
this rainbow came between us and the mountains a really perfect day below his
mountains a really perfect day below his
mountains a really perfect day below his home is the kuba which is the fetched
home is the kuba which is the fetched
home is the kuba which is the fetched structure you see here in his own
structure you see here in his own
structure you see here in his own language kuba means Spence meeting hall
language kuba means Spence meeting hall
language kuba means Spence meeting hall and in the closet next to the kuba is
and in the closet next to the kuba is
and in the closet next to the kuba is where the major ceremony of I Ashley or
where the major ceremony of I Ashley or
where the major ceremony of I Ashley or the don’t worry ceremony is held every
the don’t worry ceremony is held every
the don’t worry ceremony is held every year
on salvation at this time of year
on salvation at this time of year because that’s what my brother’s family
because that’s what my brother’s family
because that’s what my brother’s family all comes back from different parts of
all comes back from different parts of
all comes back from different parts of Taiwan and it’s always a lot of fun to
Taiwan and it’s always a lot of fun to
Taiwan and it’s always a lot of fun to get together with them and to hear what
get together with them and to hear what
get together with them and to hear what they’ve been up to over the past year of
they’ve been up to over the past year of
they’ve been up to over the past year of course it’s also a good time to see the
course it’s also a good time to see the
course it’s also a good time to see the ceremony and to participate in the dance
ceremony and to participate in the dance
ceremony and to participate in the dance circle and this is when I can make new
circle and this is when I can make new
circle and this is when I can make new friends as well I only get to oddly
friends as well I only get to oddly
friends as well I only get to oddly shine about two or three times a year
shine about two or three times a year
shine about two or three times a year because of mine my family’s busy
because of mine my family’s busy
because of mine my family’s busy schedules if I go there on the weekends
schedules if I go there on the weekends
schedules if I go there on the weekends my sister who lives in the da ba
my sister who lives in the da ba
my sister who lives in the da ba community it’s usually helping out at
community it’s usually helping out at
community it’s usually helping out at the local farmers market and maybe I’ll
the local farmers market and maybe I’ll
the local farmers market and maybe I’ll make some types comes there for a
make some types comes there for a
make some types comes there for a barbecue dinner and sometimes I go to
barbecue dinner and sometimes I go to
barbecue dinner and sometimes I go to visit my brother’s farm if they were
visit my brother’s farm if they were
visit my brother’s farm if they were busy there’s plenty to do it’s not she
busy there’s plenty to do it’s not she
busy there’s plenty to do it’s not she only about a seven minute drive between
only about a seven minute drive between
only about a seven minute drive between the dominance of lui a but you can
the dominance of lui a but you can
the dominance of lui a but you can actually walk there by crossing the top
actually walk there by crossing the top
actually walk there by crossing the top of a suspension bridge and just
of a suspension bridge and just
of a suspension bridge and just following the trail or in the dog
following the trail or in the dog
following the trail or in the dog community you can hike Bergner ship
community you can hike Bergner ship
community you can hike Bergner ship trail which goes to a forest forested
trail which goes to a forest forested
trail which goes to a forest forested area above the community my brother and
area above the community my brother and
area above the community my brother and sister are respected cultural workers
sister are respected cultural workers
sister are respected cultural workers and community guides and that’s how I
and community guides and that’s how I
and community guides and that’s how I met them almost 10 years ago I was
met them almost 10 years ago I was
met them almost 10 years ago I was working on a series of guide books to
working on a series of guide books to
working on a series of guide books to indigenous areas for international
indigenous areas for international
indigenous areas for international travelers and they were my resource
travelers and they were my resource
travelers and they were my resource persons in honey China as we got to know
persons in honey China as we got to know
persons in honey China as we got to know each other more and more we became
each other more and more we became
each other more and more we became closer and they worried about me being a
closer and they worried about me being a
closer and they worried about me being a foreigner in Thailand and a single mom
foreigner in Thailand and a single mom
foreigner in Thailand and a single mom so they decided to adopt me and make me
so they decided to adopt me and make me
so they decided to adopt me and make me one of their own they are also some of
one of their own they are also some of
one of their own they are also some of my biggest supporters in helping me to
my biggest supporters in helping me to
my biggest supporters in helping me to develop my career as an indigenous area
develop my career as an indigenous area
develop my career as an indigenous area tour guide so my job and it is a great
tour guide so my job and it is a great
tour guide so my job and it is a great job is to bring international travelers
job is to bring international travelers
job is to bring international travelers into Taiwan’s indigenous communities
into Taiwan’s indigenous communities
into Taiwan’s indigenous communities before I became a tour guide I often
before I became a tour guide I often
before I became a tour guide I often visited Taiwan’s indigenous
visited Taiwan’s indigenous
visited Taiwan’s indigenous these are my own a lot of them are
these are my own a lot of them are
these are my own a lot of them are beautiful natural areas such as in the
beautiful natural areas such as in the
beautiful natural areas such as in the mountains along the coast and the people
mountains along the coast and the people
mountains along the coast and the people there are warm and friendly so do really
there are warm and friendly so do really
there are warm and friendly so do really nice place to spend some downtime and in
nice place to spend some downtime and in
nice place to spend some downtime and in first I was very curious about the arts
first I was very curious about the arts
first I was very curious about the arts and handicrafts that the people in these
and handicrafts that the people in these
and handicrafts that the people in these communities were producing and I heard
communities were producing and I heard
communities were producing and I heard many of these artists and artisans tell
many of these artists and artisans tell
many of these artists and artisans tell me that it was very difficult for them
me that it was very difficult for them
me that it was very difficult for them to earn a living on their talent because
to earn a living on their talent because
to earn a living on their talent because Taiwan’s market is very small at the
Taiwan’s market is very small at the
Taiwan’s market is very small at the same time many people the international
same time many people the international
same time many people the international community we’re telling me how much they
community we’re telling me how much they
community we’re telling me how much they like the things that I was bringing back
like the things that I was bringing back
like the things that I was bringing back from the community the necklaces the
from the community the necklaces the
from the community the necklaces the bracelets the earrings that I was
bracelets the earrings that I was
bracelets the earrings that I was wearing and some of the artwork
wearing and some of the artwork
wearing and some of the artwork displayed in my home so it’s not me
displayed in my home so it’s not me
displayed in my home so it’s not me thinking is there something that I can
thinking is there something that I can
thinking is there something that I can do here to help these artists and
do here to help these artists and
do here to help these artists and artisans expand their revenue channels
artisans expand their revenue channels
artisans expand their revenue channels and also help more people to enjoy their
and also help more people to enjoy their
and also help more people to enjoy their works not having that many resources the
works not having that many resources the
works not having that many resources the most cost-effective way seems to be to
most cost-effective way seems to be to
most cost-effective way seems to be to do something online so in 2006 I
do something online so in 2006 I
do something online so in 2006 I launched an english-language website to
launched an english-language website to
launched an english-language website to promote Taiwan’s
promote Taiwan’s
promote Taiwan’s indigenous art and handicrafts to the
indigenous art and handicrafts to the
indigenous art and handicrafts to the world and I still do that today the
world and I still do that today the
world and I still do that today the following year in 2007 I was invited to
following year in 2007 I was invited to
following year in 2007 I was invited to a handicrafts promotion for in many
a handicrafts promotion for in many
a handicrafts promotion for in many laughs the Philippines and during that
laughs the Philippines and during that
laughs the Philippines and during that forum there was a speaker who said
forum there was a speaker who said
forum there was a speaker who said something that completely changed my
something that completely changed my
something that completely changed my direction I don’t remember his name but
direction I don’t remember his name but
direction I don’t remember his name but I remember what he said he said
I remember what he said he said
I remember what he said he said handicrafts are part of tourism they
handicrafts are part of tourism they
handicrafts are part of tourism they cannot be separated what he meant was in
cannot be separated what he meant was in
cannot be separated what he meant was in a cynical for handicrafts business to
a cynical for handicrafts business to
a cynical for handicrafts business to survive this is a heavy cross business
survive this is a heavy cross business
survive this is a heavy cross business it must provide and promote tourism
it must provide and promote tourism
it must provide and promote tourism opportunities to the places where these
opportunities to the places where these
opportunities to the places where these handicrafts are being produced that
handicrafts are being produced that
handicrafts are being produced that night I paced back and forth to my hotel
night I paced back and forth to my hotel
night I paced back and forth to my hotel room I knew he was right but I didn’t
room I knew he was right but I didn’t
room I knew he was right but I didn’t know what to do about it at that time
know what to do about it at that time
know what to do about it at that time I didn’t really know much about Taiwan’s
I didn’t really know much about Taiwan’s
I didn’t really know much about Taiwan’s tourism industry but what I did know was
tourism industry but what I did know was
tourism industry but what I did know was how to write and that is how I started
how to write and that is how I started
how to write and that is how I started writing guidebooks for Taiwan’s
writing guidebooks for Taiwan’s
writing guidebooks for Taiwan’s international travelers into indigenous
international travelers into indigenous
international travelers into indigenous communities telling them how to get
communities telling them how to get
communities telling them how to get there whether they did by where they
there whether they did by where they
there whether they did by where they could say what they could do and because
could say what they could do and because
could say what they could do and because of that people started emailing me and
of that people started emailing me and
of that people started emailing me and asking can I take them into the
asking can I take them into the
asking can I take them into the communities could I help them develop an
communities could I help them develop an
communities could I help them develop an itinerary and slowly and surely I began
itinerary and slowly and surely I began
itinerary and slowly and surely I began to are guiding them as a tour guide I
to are guiding them as a tour guide I
to are guiding them as a tour guide I like to ask first time travelers to
like to ask first time travelers to
like to ask first time travelers to Taiwan what surprises that most about
Taiwan what surprises that most about
Taiwan what surprises that most about Taiwan and the answer is always the same
Taiwan and the answer is always the same
Taiwan and the answer is always the same Taiwan has mountains but some one is
Taiwan has mountains but some one is
Taiwan has mountains but some one is mostly covered in mountains towering
mostly covered in mountains towering
mostly covered in mountains towering mountains beautiful mountains and that’s
mountains beautiful mountains and that’s
mountains beautiful mountains and that’s where I like to take them one of my most
where I like to take them one of my most
where I like to take them one of my most popular itineraries isn’t to the high
popular itineraries isn’t to the high
popular itineraries isn’t to the high mountains of Jeju County in northern
mountains of Jeju County in northern
mountains of Jeju County in northern Taiwan there are more than 2,000 years
Taiwan there are more than 2,000 years
Taiwan there are more than 2,000 years of elevation our clusters of what are
of elevation our clusters of what are
of elevation our clusters of what are called sacred trees favorite means old
called sacred trees favorite means old
called sacred trees favorite means old and some of these trees are more than
and some of these trees are more than
and some of these trees are more than 2000 years old in the indigenous a title
2000 years old in the indigenous a title
2000 years old in the indigenous a title community of nebbishy Bob there are
community of nebbishy Bob there are
community of nebbishy Bob there are clusters of such trees and a journal to
clusters of such trees and a journal to
clusters of such trees and a journal to reach them these are almost 8 kilometres
reach them these are almost 8 kilometres
reach them these are almost 8 kilometres roundtrip and it’s difficult in some
roundtrip and it’s difficult in some
roundtrip and it’s difficult in some places requiring ropes to climb up rocks
places requiring ropes to climb up rocks
places requiring ropes to climb up rocks and things like that but reward is
and things like that but reward is
and things like that but reward is seeing these very beautiful trees this
seeing these very beautiful trees this
seeing these very beautiful trees this is thinking and Bobby they were my local
is thinking and Bobby they were my local
is thinking and Bobby they were my local guides along this trail actually I
guides along this trail actually I
guides along this trail actually I didn’t think I would finish this trail
didn’t think I would finish this trail
didn’t think I would finish this trail my original thought was just to take
my original thought was just to take
my original thought was just to take some photographs and understand how
some photographs and understand how
some photographs and understand how difficult it was so I could put this
difficult it was so I could put this
difficult it was so I could put this information into my guidebook but it’s
information into my guidebook but it’s
information into my guidebook but it’s the more I walked this trail the more I
the more I walked this trail the more I
the more I walked this trail the more I realized how beautiful it was and I
realized how beautiful it was and I
realized how beautiful it was and I wanted to see more and this channel is a
wanted to see more and this channel is a
wanted to see more and this channel is a little bit that
little bit that
little bit that to even go up and up and up for a while
to even go up and up and up for a while
to even go up and up and up for a while like just when I was about to give up in
like just when I was about to give up in
like just when I was about to give up in which flat now and I can keep going so I
which flat now and I can keep going so I
which flat now and I can keep going so I was able finished and to see the
was able finished and to see the
was able finished and to see the beautiful trees but by the time we
beautiful trees but by the time we
beautiful trees but by the time we turned around it was after Mandy and
turned around it was after Mandy and
turned around it was after Mandy and this was July it’s a lot of this summer
this was July it’s a lot of this summer
this was July it’s a lot of this summer in the afternoon it often rains so with
in the afternoon it often rains so with
in the afternoon it often rains so with about two kilometers to go to get back
about two kilometers to go to get back
about two kilometers to go to get back to the trail entrance it started pouring
to the trail entrance it started pouring
to the trail entrance it started pouring down and at that elevation the rain is
down and at that elevation the rain is
down and at that elevation the rain is very cold so all we could do was run
very cold so all we could do was run
very cold so all we could do was run those last two kilometers and that’s
those last two kilometers and that’s
those last two kilometers and that’s right I really love about traveling and
right I really love about traveling and
right I really love about traveling and Telus indigenous areas there’s always
Telus indigenous areas there’s always
Telus indigenous areas there’s always some surprise speaking of surprises last
some surprise speaking of surprises last
some surprise speaking of surprises last summer I was invited to an event in the
summer I was invited to an event in the
summer I was invited to an event in the indigenous women community of Monument
indigenous women community of Monument
indigenous women community of Monument in one long Township here in Hualien
in one long Township here in Hualien
in one long Township here in Hualien County the young people this community
County the young people this community
County the young people this community had transformed part of their River
had transformed part of their River
had transformed part of their River communities River into a concert venue
communities River into a concert venue
communities River into a concert venue using locally obtained bamboo to create
using locally obtained bamboo to create
using locally obtained bamboo to create a stage basically it wasn’t meant to be
a stage basically it wasn’t meant to be
a stage basically it wasn’t meant to be a tourism event but there were tourists
a tourism event but there were tourists
a tourism event but there were tourists there what they wanted to do was to
there what they wanted to do was to
there what they wanted to do was to encourage unity among the members of
encourage unity among the members of
encourage unity among the members of their community both old and young and
their community both old and young and
their community both old and young and also to carry on exchanges with
also to carry on exchanges with
also to carry on exchanges with indigenous communities in the area and
indigenous communities in the area and
indigenous communities in the area and maybe some something that they knew and
maybe some something that they knew and
maybe some something that they knew and loved and that was music actually it’s
loved and that was music actually it’s
loved and that was music actually it’s not very easy to reach this Forge the
not very easy to reach this Forge the
not very easy to reach this Forge the road conditions aren’t so good so
road conditions aren’t so good so
road conditions aren’t so good so residents with four-wheel drive vehicles
residents with four-wheel drive vehicles
residents with four-wheel drive vehicles offer their services as drivers and this
offer their services as drivers and this
offer their services as drivers and this is a really good chance to start to talk
is a really good chance to start to talk
is a really good chance to start to talk to them about this event
to them about this event
to them about this event my driver told me that as they were
my driver told me that as they were
my driver told me that as they were preparing this event many of the elders
preparing this event many of the elders
preparing this event many of the elders in the community were shrugging their
in the community were shrugging their
in the community were shrugging their shoulders and shaking their heads and
shoulders and shaking their heads and
shoulders and shaking their heads and thinking what are these young people up
thinking what are these young people up
thinking what are these young people up to they had no idea and so when the
to they had no idea and so when the
to they had no idea and so when the elders were invited to perform
elders were invited to perform
elders were invited to perform traditional ballads here at first they
traditional ballads here at first they
traditional ballads here at first they were been resistant they kept saying why
were been resistant they kept saying why
were been resistant they kept saying why compacta come all the way up here to
compacta come all the way up here to
compacta come all the way up here to stay
stay
stay you can sing anywhere but afterwards
you can sing anywhere but afterwards
you can sing anywhere but afterwards they were very moved and they think to
they were very moved and they think to
they were very moved and they think to the young people and said that they hope
the young people and said that they hope
the young people and said that they hope they had another opportunity to come
they had another opportunity to come
they had another opportunity to come here again I would rather it was the
here again I would rather it was the
here again I would rather it was the young people of the community their turn
young people of the community their turn
young people of the community their turn to perform and then there were bands
to perform and then there were bands
to perform and then there were bands from other indigenous communities pop
from other indigenous communities pop
from other indigenous communities pop bands rock bands so about pretty lively
bands rock bands so about pretty lively
bands rock bands so about pretty lively but remember I said this was summer and
but remember I said this was summer and
but remember I said this was summer and this is afternoon and – it’s her live it
this is afternoon and – it’s her live it
this is afternoon and – it’s her live it rains often in the afternoon so it did
rains often in the afternoon so it did
rains often in the afternoon so it did start training at first on a lot but
start training at first on a lot but
start training at first on a lot but then very heavily so we were left with
then very heavily so we were left with
then very heavily so we were left with no choice but to sperry back up and
no choice but to sperry back up and
no choice but to sperry back up and cross the rain to where the campground
cross the rain to where the campground
cross the rain to where the campground was supposed to be now the camp are
was supposed to be now the camp are
was supposed to be now the camp are always covered in tarps
always covered in tarps
always covered in tarps but many of them were breaking due to
but many of them were breaking due to
but many of them were breaking due to the way to the water in one area with
the way to the water in one area with
the way to the water in one area with the heart was so attacked the concert
the heart was so attacked the concert
the heart was so attacked the concert continued but unfortunately so did the
continued but unfortunately so did the
continued but unfortunately so did the rain so we went back down to the
rain so we went back down to the
rain so we went back down to the community and though it was very wet
community and though it was very wet
community and though it was very wet outside no much spirits were dampened
outside no much spirits were dampened
outside no much spirits were dampened and the music went into the wee hours of
and the music went into the wee hours of
and the music went into the wee hours of the morning when the Sun did come up
the morning when the Sun did come up
the morning when the Sun did come up everyone was pretty sleepy but very
everyone was pretty sleepy but very
everyone was pretty sleepy but very happy you can see the smiles on their
happy you can see the smiles on their
happy you can see the smiles on their faces the weather had cleared up so we
faces the weather had cleared up so we
faces the weather had cleared up so we went back into the hills above the
went back into the hills above the
went back into the hills above the community to see the art installations
community to see the art installations
community to see the art installations that the young people had created to go
that the young people had created to go
that the young people had created to go along with this event the first one is
along with this event the first one is
along with this event the first one is this Boulder this woman has always been
this Boulder this woman has always been
this Boulder this woman has always been here it’s for the natural rest area for
here it’s for the natural rest area for
here it’s for the natural rest area for local farmers but the end people created
local farmers but the end people created
local farmers but the end people created a traditional weaving pattern using
a traditional weaving pattern using
a traditional weaving pattern using ropes along the backside and then let
ropes along the backside and then let
ropes along the backside and then let the ropes hang down in the front as a
the ropes hang down in the front as a
the ropes hang down in the front as a kind of curtain actually this is not
kind of curtain actually this is not
kind of curtain actually this is not finished the young people have left it
finished the young people have left it
finished the young people have left it to nature to put on the finishing
to nature to put on the finishing
to nature to put on the finishing touches such as a bright green coat of
touches such as a bright green coat of
touches such as a bright green coat of moss now there we learned how to weave
moss now there we learned how to weave
moss now there we learned how to weave using bamboo strips and much smaller
using bamboo strips and much smaller
using bamboo strips and much smaller rocks and I know that may sound easy but
rocks and I know that may sound easy but
rocks and I know that may sound easy but not really and then their installation
not really and then their installation
not really and then their installation is located next to a plateau where you
is located next to a plateau where you
is located next to a plateau where you can have
can have
can have very beautiful panoramic views of the
very beautiful panoramic views of the
very beautiful panoramic views of the valley below in this area of bamboo
valley below in this area of bamboo
valley below in this area of bamboo living bamboo was used to make replicas
living bamboo was used to make replicas
living bamboo was used to make replicas of traditional hunting snares and
of traditional hunting snares and
of traditional hunting snares and created this very unique rest area for
created this very unique rest area for
created this very unique rest area for the local bamboo farmers so it was very
the local bamboo farmers so it was very
the local bamboo farmers so it was very fitting that a Lobo had to overcome and
fitting that a Lobo had to overcome and
fitting that a Lobo had to overcome and teach us how to make the real thing then
teach us how to make the real thing then
teach us how to make the real thing then it was up to us to make miniature
it was up to us to make miniature
it was up to us to make miniature version of the snare for our potted
version of the snare for our potted
version of the snare for our potted plant so we’ve got some very unique
plant so we’ve got some very unique
plant so we’ve got some very unique souvenirs of that weekend this is the
souvenirs of that weekend this is the
souvenirs of that weekend this is the indigenous uh nice community of Hogan
indigenous uh nice community of Hogan
indigenous uh nice community of Hogan memories during Township also a plumbing
memories during Township also a plumbing
memories during Township also a plumbing County the Mail’s here are setting off
County the Mail’s here are setting off
County the Mail’s here are setting off for the fishing rights which are
for the fishing rights which are
for the fishing rights which are coming-of-age rights for the young males
coming-of-age rights for the young males
coming-of-age rights for the young males this is one of my favorite communities
this is one of my favorite communities
this is one of my favorite communities it’s not very big
it’s not very big
it’s not very big only 200 and 300 people but the people
only 200 and 300 people but the people
only 200 and 300 people but the people there are so warm so generous even to
there are so warm so generous even to
there are so warm so generous even to people they hardly even know and that’s
people they hardly even know and that’s
people they hardly even know and that’s so refreshing in the world today I
so refreshing in the world today I
so refreshing in the world today I visited there twice in 2012
visited there twice in 2012
visited there twice in 2012 once I stay for three days to work on my
once I stay for three days to work on my
once I stay for three days to work on my guidebook and on the day I left some of
guidebook and on the day I left some of
guidebook and on the day I left some of the residents came and gave me gifts
the residents came and gave me gifts
the residents came and gave me gifts things that they’d made themselves like
things that they’d made themselves like
things that they’d made themselves like a leather ink card holder or soap and so
a leather ink card holder or soap and so
a leather ink card holder or soap and so I promised I would come back that year
I promised I would come back that year
I promised I would come back that year for the Ami’s harvest festival and it
for the Ami’s harvest festival and it
for the Ami’s harvest festival and it kept my promise actually a lot of people
kept my promise actually a lot of people
kept my promise actually a lot of people asked me where is the best place to see
asked me where is the best place to see
asked me where is the best place to see the omni’s harvest festival and I always
the omni’s harvest festival and I always
the omni’s harvest festival and I always say that it depends on the experience
say that it depends on the experience
say that it depends on the experience that you want to really be able to
that you want to really be able to
that you want to really be able to interact with people you need to go to a
interact with people you need to go to a
interact with people you need to go to a community that’s smaller because if it’s
community that’s smaller because if it’s
community that’s smaller because if it’s the interaction that is the most
the interaction that is the most
the interaction that is the most unforgettable part of visiting
unforgettable part of visiting
unforgettable part of visiting indigenous communities I was also
indigenous communities I was also
indigenous communities I was also invited a few years ago to the DePrima
invited a few years ago to the DePrima
invited a few years ago to the DePrima millet weeding ceremony and then I want
millet weeding ceremony and then I want
millet weeding ceremony and then I want community of taiko now this is a
community of taiko now this is a
community of taiko now this is a ceremony that only women can join me not
ceremony that only women can join me not
ceremony that only women can join me not men so I was very intrigued and you can
men so I was very intrigued and you can
men so I was very intrigued and you can see the women here are wearing
see the women here are wearing
see the women here are wearing nice I asked about that and it said
nice I asked about that and it said
nice I asked about that and it said we’re not allowed to joining women had
we’re not allowed to joining women had
we’re not allowed to joining women had to borrow a knife from their son or
to borrow a knife from their son or
to borrow a knife from their son or their husband in case they were attacked
their husband in case they were attacked
their husband in case they were attacked when outside the community a shaman said
when outside the community a shaman said
when outside the community a shaman said a prayer and obtained this money which
a prayer and obtained this money which
a prayer and obtained this money which is a symbol of unity for the women as I
is a symbol of unity for the women as I
is a symbol of unity for the women as I walked back to the ceremonial grounds
walked back to the ceremonial grounds
walked back to the ceremonial grounds where the shaman continued to perform
where the shaman continued to perform
where the shaman continued to perform rites such as this one placing a feel
rites such as this one placing a feel
rites such as this one placing a feel nut onto a hunting knife as a symbol of
nut onto a hunting knife as a symbol of
nut onto a hunting knife as a symbol of cutting away evil the women I’ll speak
cutting away evil the women I’ll speak
cutting away evil the women I’ll speak to the glorious event they told me it
to the glorious event they told me it
to the glorious event they told me it meant so much to be able to carry on
meant so much to be able to carry on
meant so much to be able to carry on their culture and to pass it off to the
their culture and to pass it off to the
their culture and to pass it off to the next generation and I think for them it
next generation and I think for them it
next generation and I think for them it was a source of empowerment there’s many
was a source of empowerment there’s many
was a source of empowerment there’s many more stories I could share these are
more stories I could share these are
more stories I could share these are hundreds and hundreds of indigenous
hundreds and hundreds of indigenous
hundreds and hundreds of indigenous communities in Taiwan so it’s probably
communities in Taiwan so it’s probably
communities in Taiwan so it’s probably good that there is a time limit so I
good that there is a time limit so I
good that there is a time limit so I just want to end by saying that the
just want to end by saying that the
just want to end by saying that the stories that I’ve shared with you today
stories that I’ve shared with you today
stories that I’ve shared with you today are all unique to tell I’m tell on is
are all unique to tell I’m tell on is
are all unique to tell I’m tell on is like no other place in the world because
like no other place in the world because
like no other place in the world because of its rich diversity so I believe that
of its rich diversity so I believe that
of its rich diversity so I believe that if approached responsibly and with the
if approached responsibly and with the
if approached responsibly and with the appropriate education and ensuring that
appropriate education and ensuring that
appropriate education and ensuring that benefits remain within the community
benefits remain within the community
benefits remain within the community that Taiwan’s indigenous area tourism
that Taiwan’s indigenous area tourism
that Taiwan’s indigenous area tourism can be the driver of Taiwan’s entire
can be the driver of Taiwan’s entire
can be the driver of Taiwan’s entire specialty tourism industry it’s my hope
specialty tourism industry it’s my hope
specialty tourism industry it’s my hope that with the development of sustainable
that with the development of sustainable
that with the development of sustainable tourism the young people will return to
tourism the young people will return to
tourism the young people will return to their communities and that they will
their communities and that they will
their communities and that they will learn from their elders learn their
learn from their elders learn their
learn from their elders learn their ceremonies learn their languages learn
ceremonies learn their languages learn
ceremonies learn their languages learn their traditions so that culture can be
their traditions so that culture can be
their traditions so that culture can be preserved as an outsider where I can be
preserved as an outsider where I can be
preserved as an outsider where I can be of most use is to be of support there
of most use is to be of support there
of most use is to be of support there are many people indigenous communities
are many people indigenous communities
are many people indigenous communities working to develop tourism and to
working to develop tourism and to
working to develop tourism and to preserve their culture and they’re
preserve their culture and they’re
preserve their culture and they’re worthy of support so I intend to
worthy of support so I intend to
worthy of support so I intend to continue to promote indigenous area
continue to promote indigenous area
continue to promote indigenous area tourism to international travelers who
tourism to international travelers who
tourism to international travelers who cherish nature and who cherish culture
cherish nature and who cherish culture
cherish nature and who cherish culture thank you
”
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