Nurses Day and Alishan

Friday was Nurses Day and we were invited to the celebration at the hospital. We had heard reports, by students last year, of risque dancing by the nurses, so we weren't really sure what to expect. It wasn't quite as wild, but was funny to see that the sense of humor here isn't much different from the U.S., although I can't necessarily see people dressed up in wigs and goofy costumes to perform skits in from of the nursing staff at a hospital wide function going over well in America. The entire program was in Chinese, so I didn't understand a word of it, except for the occasional "BYU" that was uttered amidst a Chinese welcome to us. After the program we had a delicious lunch followed by tsua bing, which I can already tell I will miss most when I come home! When we got home we played pool until we went out for dinner and then just relaxed and went to bed! We are planning on becoming quite the pool sharks!

We woke up early early to be ready to go by 7am on Saturday. We were off on an adventure to see Alishan National Forest. We took about an hour train ride to the base of the mountain where we found a man willing to take us up it in a van! It seems you can trust anyone here in Taiwan :) It was a 2 or 3 hour drive, but it was absolutely beautiful! It was so wonderful to get out of the city, breath some fresh air, and for once, not be sweaty! It was actually quite cold! It was so lush and green and beautiful...I just loved it. We didn't spend a whole lot of time at the top of the mountain, but we had lunch and watched some Aboriginal tribal dancing, which I loved! I had taken a motion sickness pill on the way up, because it was the bumpiest, windiest road EVER, so I zonked out the whole way down the mountain and on the train back home...where we got more tsua bing for dinner (I actually feel like it is definitely one of the healthiest meal choices here- I have been surprised by how much of their food is greasy or fried).

Today was another wonderful church experience, even though I was too far away from the interpreter to hear. It is always wonderful to feel the spirit of these beautiful, humble Chinese saints. After the primary sang their Mother's Day songs...pink and red carnations were passed out to all of the women. I was happy to find out this seems to be a universal practice. Happy Mother's Day to everyone! You are all incredible women and I feel blessed to know you!