登機箱

明日一早就要出發到機場，參加在夏威夷的研討會。拿出衣櫃中的登機箱，準備將些衣物收拾入內。拉開箱子，一股香氣撲鼻而來。這是上個月到倫敦開會時，在當地商場買的香皂所遺留的氣味，沒想到會持續到現在。這個登機箱，買不到三年的時間，卻已經有些斑駁。我是拖著它，到不少城市開會或旅遊，然後又回到這裡，一個我所見過最糟糕的地方。

Tradition in Modern

This was the first I visited Tokyo. Before I though Tokyo could be another New York City, packed with skyscrapers, people and cars. This visit proved I was wrong. 

Skytree, a tower more appealing to the young than Tokyo Tower.

Dreaming a Reality

The stay in Raleigh was memorable. In the morning I woke up, then prepared a simple breakfast, and drove to school. The routes were familiar. No miss in anywhere I should make a turn, stop, and change the lane. The work a day started in the study room, the library or the office. Occasionally, the time was flying away when I had a chat with friends. Sometimes we exchange ideas, sometimes just for fun. In a month I live like a student.

Talley Student Union, was called Talley Student Center

A Long-Awaited Reunion

The flight was delayed for five hours. When waiting for the aircraft being fixed, there was a flash moment in my brain telling me why I don't cancel the trip if applicable. Thankfully, I didn't do that and the airline wouldn't allow to give the refund. So I am here, in Raleigh.

The First Meal

Get caught between the East and the West

The trip to Chicago was quite disappointed. Everything is good in Chicago city except the never-ending cold wind and the traffic control due to the gun fight and car chasing. The problems were from me and my colleagues. I had no opinion about the schedule, and one of the colleagues had too many opinions. It was supposed to have an easy trip when someone else made the schedules. However, it was not easy if the schedules totally centered on the maker. For example, in an outlet I would get phone calls to ask me back as I was in a different store. I didn’t know visiting what stores were written in the schedules. This trip reconfirmed my viewpoint, to know a person travelling with him/her is a shortcut. This is also a good way to filter a potential partner. Now they know I am like a lonely wolf in the wild, and I know I won’t share a trip with someone in this group again. Before the trip ended, I had been imagining the trip to Raleigh this summer. No matter I am alone or accompanying with someone, the latter one must be much interesting.

Field Museum

Museum of Art

Museum of Science and Industry

Shedd Aquarium 

Getting out of Jail

Jan. 15th - Jan 20th, 2014

I looked at my passport, trying to remember the story behind each stamp. The four-hour flight was boring. People on the airplane were noisy so that I stopped.  Why do they travel in groups? They don’t know how fun it is to travel by oneself? The airplane arrived Aomori at 5 pm, 1 hour late due to the heavy snowing. During this period of time when snow covered the whole county, no one but Taiwanese tourists was interested in this so called “north country”. For me, this was a place close and easy to go breathing fresh air, feeling serenity and eating delicious food.  

 a hot spring hotel

Irreversible Fate?

Last time when I came here, the weather was a rainy day. It was not raining when I arrived. At the beginning, it was cloudy, similar to my feeling. My paper was just been rejected by a journal. This showed I have a long way to go. This strike would ruin this trip if I dealt with it wrong. Luckily, it is not hard to hide my sorrow because my unique personality makes me look sentimental.

I met her again. She is as cute as she was. The most fantastic change is that she seems more mature and prettier. She also shared some costs for meal, transportation, and entrance fee. Not easy for a pretty girl. It was my honor to have her accompany in this short trip. This was the first time I knew she likes to sleep away on the weekend. In the Buddhist temple, I knew she is a devout Buddhist. The next day, I guess I made a mistake by choosing a cold tourist spot. She hasn’t recovered from the cold caught a few days ago. No many tourists visiting there in such a cold rainy day. We left soon and went to have a dinner in downtown. Happy days always pass by soon.

West Lake

One of the largest Buddhist Temple I have ever seen.

Xixi Wetland

Silent Hill in China

I left  without reporting the absence, but people in this research group all knew where I came. They asked why I went to meet this girl and don’t try to pursue her. Indeed, I went to Hangzhou not just for its scenery. There are only three cities, i.e. Boston, Kyoto and New York where I’d like to visit for the second time. If it was not for this special girl, it is very likely I don’t bother to move any finger.

“The distance is a big problem” I said, “Prof. Dong said Hangzhou is a shitty city, but the city which we are working at is hell.” I am like a leave gone with the wind. Today I am in hell, and I don’t know where I will be tomorrow. This fate had been determined right after I decided to get a PhD in the US. Sad but irreversible?

Food is much tasty than food in hell.

Cheese Rice Cake

Rice Soup

City Overloaded

Arrival, May 8th

It took around one hour to fly from Raleigh to New York, shorter than transferring from JFK to Midtown Manhattan through subway. I left the luggage in the hotel and went to have a tour. Today I walked from Chelsea to Midtown, and approached Times Square. Life in the city must be stressful. People are pushed to move fast; pedestrians cross roads without seeing traffic signals; car drivers tap horn frequently. If it were not the fancy stores and tons of skyscrapers, I would guess I am in a developing country. Maybe this is the cost of being the world's biggest and funniest city. Just staying in half day, I knew this city is not a place for me. Smaller cities, e.g. Boston and Charlotte, are supposed to be helpful to my career. I need to keep the distance from the crowd or I couldn't think and work. But the good thing is there are many grocery stores and people don't need to drive to buy toothpaste although the sum of driving cost and the product price is cheaper in Raleigh.

 

Manhattan

A Winter Trip in the Sunny Borderland

Jan. 4th

I walk on the street, wondering why this happened. I could not believe only one top university gave me the interview. Nothing is important to me now after I finished this interview this afternoon. It is really a pleasure to find a 7-11 near the motel I am staying at. I bought purified water and some nuts as snacks. Tonight I would like to watch the old movie hands of the ripper despite tomorrow's interview is waiting. My boldness comes from my preparation and self-confidence.

It is afternoon as I arrive San Diego

Looking for Uniqueness

July 4th (Wed.) ~ 6th (Fri.) 2012

      Maybe it is because I prefer uniqueness and history, this trip to Charleston impressed me so much. Unlike any other major cities well-known by international tourists, Charleston in South Carolina is famous among Americans. 

I arrived Charleston on July 4th.

2012暑假

以為睡一覺醒來，會發現原來要搭機回美國其實是做夢，其實還有幾天才要離開。然後可以和這一個月來一樣，早上到健身中心；下午到麥當勞看書喝咖啡；晚飯後就到附近書店逛逛，或是和家人聊天。

但這不是夢。我得搭機回美國了。要繼續我的研究，撰寫論文，過著朝九晚十的生活。稱不上痛苦，但和在家裡羽翼下的日子，相差實在太多。日子流逝飛快，美好的日子更是如此。才剛回家，為何就要離開？

A Pilgrimage

March 21^st 

Kenwood, Maryland

      People came to this private community to watch cherry blossoms. Since its elegant houses and beautiful flowers, for many tourists the neighborhood becomes a part of the trip in Metro Washington during the early spring. It was amazing to walk in the streets having a flowers canopy.

Kenwood

A Trip with Low Returns

-->March 8^th

       

      If it were not the EEA annual conference was held in Boston, I couldn't participate in it. I flew to Boston one day prior to the conference day. As usual, I kept awake for the early flight departing at 9am. I was tired while arriving the hotel by subway.

      Boston Park Plaza is a well-known historical hotel located in the old Boston area. However, its service was quite disappointing. I booked a room with a king size bed one month ago, but the hotel gave me a room with double twin beds. The one-night cost $185 didn't include a breakfast and the Internet connection. No refrigerator in the room. What bothered me the most was I have to call room service for a razor and a toothbrush or they are not available.

暑假2011

Fri. June 3
訪師

今天去拜見已五年未見的前指導教授。這些年來不是沒有機會，但是總感到有點畏懼。他氣勢旺盛；我作風低調。兩隻巨蟹碰頭，他的大鉗能輕易地夾碎我的軟殼。現在身兼院長、處長和教授數職，要見面還得和秘書敲定行程。一進到研究室，感覺就和當年一樣。基於傳統師生關係，大部分都是他問我答。提到日後工作，我開門見山就說想走業界。

Charlotte的傍晚

到達Charlotte時已是傍晚。天色仍然明亮，卻可見人群逐漸散出市中心，或往郊區住家，或往餐館。此時正是適合參觀的時刻。

      Charlotte東岸的金融中心，美國銀行和美聯銀行總部所在地，幾年前就該前來朝聖了。市中心不大，大約一個小時內即可走完。除了公寓之外，所有的高樓幾乎都是銀行辦公處。我一向對美國市區內的公寓很有興趣。高大的前門，精緻的內裝，一小座陽台，以及昂貴的租金，在在顯示要多少外在物質，才能建造一座避風港，填補內心的徬徨或空虛。

Headquarter of Bank of America

A Corner of Charlotte

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

      街道上，車來人往，但有點不尋常地安靜。穿著正式的銀行員工，快步且無聲地行走。在這個由金錢和借貸所堆積起來的城市，似乎沒有人想久留。咖啡店早已關門。天色漸暗，在即將打烊的McDonald's買瓶汽水，到廣場上找張桌椅坐下。遠處傳來黑人嘹亮的清唱，大概是街頭藝人吧。在這個時候，他能有多少共鳴？

Wachovia Plaza

    我想留在這個城市，或是NY，或是Seattle，只要沒有牽掛在太平洋另一端。

墾丁一遊

  本週六到周日我和家人到墾丁玩。
  說是玩，其實也只是走走看看。
  由於訂房太慢，凱薩和福華兩大飯店都沒房位了。
  只好住在高山青，
  實際在當地比較過外觀後，的確會讓人跳腳。

  星期六首先到海洋生物博物館參觀，全票300元。
  一開始還覺得蠻貴的。
  但見識到內部的規模，尤其是海底隧道(全人工建設，所有部份都是在海平面之上)
  和沉船(也是人工的)以及從台灣各海域收集來的珍奇魚類，
  認為300元票價很合理，確實是國立的價格。

  下午開往貓鼻頭，和鵝鑾鼻並列台灣最南端，沒什麼值得描述的。
  那邊的商店有山地人在賣炸飛魚，一隻30元，沒買。

  然後到飯店，在墾丁最熱鬧的墾丁路上，森林遊樂區的對面。
  本來想說沒五星級就算了，至少有餐飲卷能吃風味餐。
  說到風味餐，我腦中就浮現了地中海和東南亞口。
  而這次來墾丁，我就想看看這裡是否有如接觸最近到的資訊所言"充滿異國風情"。
  在網路上查過，高山青的晚餐有地中海式自助餐。
  山地人的服務人員引導我們到餐桌，桌子中間是有圓形轉盤的。
  一人一個碗盤，一雙筷子，一個紙杯，就跟辦桌一樣。
  上菜的速度很快，算一算六菜一湯加一壺茶，雞鴨魚肉都有。
  從這時我就知道這家飯店在走本土路線。
 
  吃完，逛墾丁路夜市。
  高山青位於夜市的底部，夜市約綿延一公里半，兩側都有攤位，人非常多。
  鹽酥雞、滷味、烤肉、冰淇淋、紀念品、射水球和投環，大概佔了七成的攤位。
  的確是再本土不過的夜市，只差沒有抽號碼中布袋戲偶的攤位。
  是有幾家強調手工的pizza和義大利麵店，星巴克和冒煙的喬也有在此開分店。
  我真的被高雄walker誤導了。
  走了一小時，花了十五元買了一罐飲料，而且是在7-11買的。
  當不知道要吃什麼喝什麼時，便利商店真是我們的好鄰居。

  隔天六點，向飯店借了腳踏車，巡迴清晨的墾丁路。
  騎到凱薩和福華，就發現其對面已經沒有建築物且面海，可以不受吵雜夜市的影響。
  再者，其在住宿區和馬路間皆設有庭院或泳池，連車輛的噪音也能隔絕。
  更不用說外觀設計了。
  騎車途中遇到我媽的同事在晨跑，他住福華。
  持同樣住宿券卻有不同命運。
  已經騎到離墾丁路鬧區有兩公里遠的歐克山莊(orc 豬頭怪)，才折回飯店。

  早餐終於有自助式的，半中半西。
  又是一群老阿公老阿媽在吃稀飯。
  因為平常都吃稀飯，我幾乎專挑西式的吃。
  我又不禁想到九月初到台北凱薩時，早餐有中西日式。
  光麵包就四五種，夾進口乳酪，荷包蛋現煎。
  黑豆、培根、薯條、百香果、火龍果...

  諸位可能認為我在批評高山青，但實際卻非如此。
  高山青在墾丁算老牌且不錯的飯店，比一般隱身夜市的民宿好很多。
  也不像雜誌介紹的一些民宿，引進異國風味，但搞得畫虎不成反類犬。
  之所以會往上比較，是因為我一直設定要住宿在福華，其次是凱薩。
  等級實在差太多所致。

  吃完後，到牡丹水庫參觀。
  看門的管理員是山地人。
  怪怪!還會講台語!
  參觀完後，直接回高雄。
  下午兩點左右到家，結束本次旅程。