|
Bits of StringSome final thoughtsSeptember 17, 2009
We’re home. I know because I’m sitting in front of a full size computer screen with cool air coming in at the window. Fortunately, I have a few prompts like the Deaflympics mug of coffee on the desk that will remind me of our last days in Taipei. (more…)
Closing CeremoniesSeptember 15, 2009
Fireworks. Food. Puppets. Dancers. Thanks to the 10,000 volunteeers who made the games run smoothly. Speakers who droned on so long that the athletes took things into their own hands and started do improvised dances along the track. (more…)
What I remember About the GameSeptember 15, 2009
Here’s the way it happened….. The night was muggy. The stadium was huge. We got there early enough to watch warm ups. Jessie looked good in the net but so did the German goalie. (more…)
They did it!!!!!September 14, 2009
This evening, the Women's Soccer Team beat Germany 4-0 at Deaflympics. The first half ended without a score on either side. In the second half, the German women played hard and the American women played harder. (more…)
Game Day!September 14, 2009
It’s Game Day. I didn’t want to chance a challenging outing. What if we couldn’t find our way back in time? So we (belatedly) explored the neighborhood around the hotel. (more…)
Odds and EndsSeptember 14, 2009
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been in Taipei for over a week. We’ve done so much, though I do regret not getting into the countryside more. If we had unlimited time, I would definitely visit a hot springs and maybe a tea plantation. The national parks also sound quite wonderful, (more…)
Eating our way through TaipeiSeptember 13, 2009
Even after a week, I really can’t get my bearings in Taipei. Some of the street names have started to look familiar but I don’t know which ones run north and south or east and west. For that matter, I can’t reliably tell which direction I’m headed when I’m out. Fortunately, taxis are inexpensive and very accommodating. (more…)
Monster ice, jade and moreSeptember 12, 2009
This was bound to happen. Events have outstripped my ability to chronicle them. I have to retrace my steps and account for what has happened since yesterday’s game. (more…)
A day at the beachSeptember 11, 2009
OK, now I have to back up and describe an adventure from Thursday. It all started with Z’s very sensible suggestion that, if we were visiting a sub-tropical island, we should visit at least one beach. (more…)
They win again!!!September 11, 2009 A little night marketSeptember 9, 2009
Fortified by an afternoon nap, we decided to visit Shilin, the largest of the night markets. What a scene!!! (more…)
8000 Years of TreasuresSeptember 9, 2009
Today we visited the National Museum, a palatial building that houses 8000 years of treasures collected by the emperors of China. For hundreds of years, the treasures were kept in the Forbidden City in China. (more…)
Yesterday's temple visitSeptember 8, 2009
Now to catch up… Yesterday we visited Longshun Temple which is located in the old section of Taipei. The streets around the temple are crammed with tiny shops whose wares spill out onto the sidewalk. All signs are in Chinese, of course, so we are able to categorize things in only the most generic (more…)
Tai Chi in the MorningSeptember 8, 2009
Without accounting for yesterday (maybe later), I need to record the events of this morning when I practiced Tai Chi. In a park. With Taiwanese people. For some reason, I woke up a little before six and decided to go in search of Tai Chi. (more…)
Videos and picturesSeptember 7, 2009
Jet lag hit yesterday evening and now Z is sleeping late. That's given me a chance to catch up with Deaflympics news. Photos of the Women's soccer team are at USDeaflympics. Videos, including one of the Opening Ceremonies, are available at DeaflympicsTV (more…)
Taipei 101September 7, 2009
Because of their win, the women had the afternoon off, so we took advantage of the opportunity to head over to Taipei 101, the second tallest building in the world. We can see its distinctive silhouette which was inspired by a bamboo stalk from the window of our hotel. (more…)
They win againSeptember 7, 2009
The women’s team won their second game today, 7-0 against Denmark. Their third opponent in the pool has dropped out, so they won’t have another game until Friday when they will probably play Great Britain. That is likely to be a much tougher game but, if they win, they will probably play (more…)
Opening CeremoniesSeptember 5, 2009
Awesome is an overused word but it is justified as a description of last night's Opening Ceremonies. I want to get it all down, so take a deep breath, this post will be long!
The Ceremonies were in Taipei Stadium, a brand new venue with a sinuous shape. The place was packed (more…) First game a win!September 5, 2009
The USA women's soccer team won their first game against Germany this morning! There are some excellent players on the team--including, of course, the goalie. She didn't have to do much because the play occured more often in Germany's end and, when the ball, did head into US territory, the defenders were very strong. (more…)
This is it!!!September 3, 2009
This may be my last chance to write anything before we arrive in Taipei. I am taking a mini laptop with me (yes, I LOVE it!) but I'm not sure when I will have both time and WIFI access.
Everything is packed. Instead of thinking about things I've forgotten, I'm trying to lighten the load. Do we really need? (more…) The team heads for TaipeiSeptember 2, 2009
Now matter how much you prepare for a trip like this, there are always last minute details that take longer than you think they should. Embarrassing as it may be, I am finally downloading music to an I-Pod Nano that my kids gave me ages ago. Naturally, there is a learning curve. (more…)
First videosSeptember 1, 2009
At USDeaflympics.org, they are doing a very thorough job of covering the training camp. They posted a soccer video yesterday that included shots of Jessie handling and kicking the ball. (If you want to see it, scroll to the bottom of the USDeaflympics and look for the "older" video.) (more…)
|
