Hi Everyone,Our first week in Taiwan has been an amazing introduction of rich culture and historical education. We couldn't have picked a better group of characters to join us on this building voyage. Upon our arrival to Taipe we were greeted by my 1st typhoon experience. What a way to begin a month long stay in Taiwan. After a 12 hr. flight from LAX to Taipe international airport we practically bounced our way sideways on the runway and quickly found ourselves in a seriously wet and 100 mph windy situation. Along with me on our arrival is master artist, James Hubbell, contractor, Chuck Lang, and commerade , Jackee Earnest. We grabbed a taxi and headed to the Santos Hotel where we will stay the first few days. We will meet with our architect and art students from countries such as Mexico, Russia, China, South Korea, Taiwan, El Salvador and USA there.
The Pacific Rim Park project always has such a mysterious way of teaching you to learn how to have faith in yourself. Searching for answers can be difficult at times yet when you are able to have love in your mind, body and soul you can truly become a confident humanitarian.
I am specifically privileged this year to be invited, not as a student, but as a group leader. I believe I can do this by being meadiary between students and teachers. Since I am only 30 yrs old. I feel much more like one of the students still, yet know my responsibilities are to help facilitate the process of PRP project and to maintain composure through peace and happiness with everyone. So, during our couple of days in Taipei we saw some beautiful attractions such as the national history museum, buhhdist temples and the largest building in Taiwan, "the 101 building". It was constructed in the 1990's and held the record for the largest building in the world until Dubai built one that was much taller. For architect students that was a real treat to go to the top.
After some sightseeing in Taipei we took a 6 hr. bus ride to the city of Kaohsiung. The park is being constructed on a small fishing island called "Cijin" on the waterfront. We are staying at the Marine University where we settled into our classic little barracks .It’s actually a dorm style of living space with bunk beds and below a desk where I write this for the blog. Not to many toilets to be found around here. Only these very interesting holes in the ground that I am not too accustomed. Other than that... Life is grand!Our schedules are set up for our design processes and there are lots of really talented people giving their perspectives and ideas for the park project. We start each day with a poem read by one of the 40 or so students. Its a great way to get going at 7 am. The weather is warm and we ride bikes back and forth from the site. So, Lots of water during the night time and even more liquids are consumed at our (gas station)/ bus stop in the evenings.
We have managed to live through our very confusing first week and are now underway with are second week of "fun in the sun" construction phase. Building concrete forms and excavating ground levels so to pour our slabs by later this week. Lots more to come...-Garrett P. Goodwin
