Ted, Maren and I just returned from a quick but wonderful overnight to the east coast of southern Taiwan, to a city called Hualien, where Tzu Chi University is located. Tzu Chi has four main depts: medicine, humanities and social science, education and a fourth (?).We were flown, at the university's expense, there from Kaohsiung and assisted in the entire trip by Shih-min Liu, another one of Ted's former doctoral students at NYU, who is now on the staff of K aohsiung Normal University, where we spoke two weeks ago, but who also has professional contacts at Tzu Chi.

We arrived early afternoon and first were treated to an Italian lunch (it tasted so good!!)by Dr Pan, the President of the university. We met some of her colleagues as well, and were/are so impressed with their intelligence, their graciousness, their willingness to help us etc! They then set up a very interesting tour, led by a very interesting guide, Steve, (a Taiwanese who lived for almost 30 years in Texas and worked as an accountant; now he serves as a paid guide and part time instructor at Tzu Chi) of one part of the campus, their Silent Mentor program. This is a concept that is rather unique; the silent mentor is a cadaver of a loved one whose family has agreed to have participate in the school's program. These corpses are either embalmed for up to 4 or 5 years and used for medical students to study and learn from, before they have to actually work on a live patient; or frozen for 3 to 4 months, and again serve as a simulated live person, for medical students to learn from. The frozen cadavers ("cadaver teachers" or "silent mentors") are used when medical students need to learn about cutting into a person, because the blood does not run fast and thus, gives the student time to learn what to do properly and not under rushed conditions. the embalmed bodies are used more for teaching about skin problems,etc, because the skin does not turn hard,etc. Then, when the cadaver's medical purpose is finished, there is a ceremony for the family's loved ones to attend, there is cremation, and a few of the ashes are stored in special glass containers as pictured, in a quiet, contemplative room. Interesting view of death; it is "openly discussed and positively used," not underground and mysterious.

Then, Ted and I did our joint presentation to a group of about 24 students, graduate and undergraduate, about our use in America of inclusive educational techniques. After that, Shih-Min, Maren, Ted and I went to a night market for a traditional Taiwanese supper of a soup with all sorts of noodles,vegetables and meat pieces in it. We were really tired,so retired shortly after that in the dorm rooms provided for our use!




Took a quick shower the next morning, using the doily-sized towels to dry with, and then we were off. It was a terrific day!! First, the weather was delightful, nowhere near as hot and humid as in Kaohsiung, and the sun was shining. We had time to see the meditative retreat house called Still Thoughts on the campus, where at times, the founder of Tzu Chi (a woman now in her 70's) sometimes comes to speak).

After that, we then rented a taxi for the day, driven by a very knowledgeable cab woman, Mrs Wan, who took us to the famous Taroko Gorge National Park! The views everywhere,of the mountains, of the rivers, of the swallows, of the greenery, of the caves carved by erosion and river action, all were truly beautiful. At times, Mrs Wan would direct us to a short hike to see waterfalls or some other spectacular sight, and at other times, indicate a great photo-taking spot. We also had lunch at a delightful cafe way inside the park, that not too many knew about I think, and saw one of the Taroko aboriginal tribes women weaving in their folk style, and heard some of their music. Evidently, the Anali (sp?) and Taroko aboriginal tribes still have members living in the hills in the park itself.
A flight home, with a stop at Costco to get ready for our Wine and Cheese Party tonight where we
are going to host Ted's doctoral students and professional colleagues here at our villa, ended that wonderful trip to Taiwan's east coast!