Trip to Sandiman and Meinong

On Sunday, July 20, Mr. Shih and Helen Lee took the teachers and teaching assistants by bus to the Sandiman Artistic Village in the mountainous area of Pingtung County. First, they went to the Dragonfly Bead Art Studio to learn how to produce and glaze glass beads.  They selected a designated design, and then native aboriginal women assisted them in heating the glass and refining it. They decorated the bead shape by melting specific colored glass sticks on the surface. They put the final touches on each bead and made them smoother over heat.  After cooling, each bead would be used for a bracelet, necklace, or key chain.

Next, they went to the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park, and immediately went to the theater to see the 10:30 show. They watched a dance and folk song performance by members of native aboriginal tribes.  There are many native tribes inhabiting the island of Taiwan, including the Amis, Yami, Paiwan, Truku, Thao, Rukai, and Puyuma tribes. The dancers wore very colorful costumes and clearly enjoyed showing off their native dances, songs, and musical instruments. 

 







                               

The traditional jumping picture at the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park.

The teachers also tested the strength of a very old, but sturdy, suspension bridge. Fortunately it held! After a delicious traditional Taiwanese lunch, the group traveled to the folk village at Meinong for ice cream and a little shopping.