HAPPY BELATED THANKSGIVING....

Dear friends
I would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. As you probably already know, this is one holiday that isn't celebrated in Taiwan, nor anywhere else other then the U.S. There were no pilgrims or native Americans on this island. The Chinese do have there own versions. There is an Autumn Moon Festival to celebrate the harvest and the concept of being thankful is also a part of Chinese New Year celebrations. Anyway I spent my Thursday at work and my dinner that evening consisted of Kan Pao Egg and Do Gan Tofu, no turkey was to be found in my neighborhood. I did however take a bit of a holiday. I escaped the bustling city of Taipei and headed north to the city of Danshui. Unfortunately Danshui was just as bustling as the capital city. It is a popular place for people from the Taipei area to go for day trips. It was nice to get away from my everyday surroundings. I traveled with a women whom I seem to be dating at the present. (There is much more to this aspect of my life, but I don't feel much like getting in to the details at present.) We spent the evening in a decent hotel that looked out on to the point where the Danshui river meets up with the Taiwan Strait and Pacific Ocean. I had fun; it was nice to get away for the weekend. I would love to update everyone on all that is happening in my life. I have been full of thoughts that I want to write down. I have been stirred once again by grief brought on by thoughts of Thanksgivings past and more unfortunate news. Maybe I will get around to writing about it, or maybe I won't. I don't really know the purpose of this blog anymore. It's primary and most consistent reader is no longer here to read posts. I know that many of you are still checking in from time to time. I will try to update often... I know it a promise you have all heard before. Here is a small taste (in pictures) of my weekend in Danshui.
Lots of love....Daniel James


Looking across the Danshui river at GuanYinShan(mountain) and the city of Bali.



Diva on the grounds of the old British consulate and Fort San Domingo


Another market street in Danshui.

Fisherman's Wharf also in Danshui