Today from Taipei and Osaka
臺北市 大阪市
October 27, 2019
November 10, 2019
It is warm, quite warm in the global city of the Republic of China, comfortable this time of the year. A surprise rain shower fell just one day, the blue sky was visible most other days. The comfortable weather provides a relaxed, busy atmosphere, no one appears to be in a hurry. Although a bit cooler back in Japan, the weather continues to be very pleasant. Sunshine, warm temperatures, no more rain in sight.
The red subway line in the global city brings you to the downtown area, and as soon as people leave the underground station, they see the towering 101 skyscraper. “Stacked moneyboxes,” they say, “so that the city will never be out of fortune.” Inside the shopping mall, the Guccis and Pradas make sure there is always money circulated in this building.
Back in the land of the rising sun, they celebrate the new emperor and empress – a new era has begun. The festivities are unpretentious, much like so many traditions in this colorful country. In the old capital, you can meet the 36 immortal poets who are patiently situated in the Eikan-do temple built in the year 855. Nakatukasa is one of the immortals reflecting on the season:
The autumnal wind
Blows but brings me no message –
Yet that listless breeze,
Where I, a beckoning reed, would whisper
In the rustling of my leaves.
There is rich history in the global city as well, with the Spanish coming in the 1600s, then the Dutch until they were booted out by Koxinga who asserted Chinese culture during the Ming dynasty. The Portuguese called the island “Formosa,” the beautiful island. The French, the British, and then the Japanese all landed with interest, and when the Nationalists fled Communist China, the Republic was born.
Beautiful mountains cover two thirds of the island. The goldmines have long been abandoned, up there in the mountains, but Jiufen, which housed all the miners, is well and alive. Even though it was a ghost town for many years, movies would make the “City of Sadness” famous again. Who would have thought that Hayao Mizayaki would help with the renewal of the city? Jiufen is spirted away.
The night markets are busy and energizing. And they offer unusual specialties that guests should not refuse: stomach, chicken feet with taro balls and tapioca for desert. Din Tai Fung is a must in the global city. Back in the kitchen of Japan, they retreat to comfort food, kushikatsu – 15 different foods, all on a stick with greetings to the Iowa fair.
They sing karaoke in both places. With much practice, any host can shine in their selection of Japanese, Chinese, or English tunes. Their real purpose, though, is to see the Western guest struggle through his turn. There is only one song appropriately coming to mind, “Help…” – the response on the screen – “try harder next time.”
Back in academic quarters, they continue work on blood pressure, weight, and cognitive function. They refine their model on cognitive reserve, highlighting the importance of education, occupational responsibility, engaged lifestyle, social engagement and activity. And they find the census data back from the eighth century, a fragment listing a 93-year old resident. And they learn from the Yoro codex that centenarians were entitled to five caregivers and could not be convicted for a crime.
Here and there, observations about older and disabled people abound. A daughter at the next table ordering two meals, one for herself, one for her mother. The daughter putting on an apron for her mother, preparing the meal with much patience, helping mother to enjoy eating in a public restaurant. In the onsen, a naked son wheeling his naked father into the bath. The father’s elated face. In the train, a woman in a wheelchair with a large bag in her left hand. How will she manage to get out of the train and move on? An official attendant, waiting for her at the station, wheeling her out to her next destination. A blind man in the subway, trying to hold on, helped by other passengers. How will he find his way when leaving the subway station? An official attendant is already waiting at the subway station to lead him out. Here and there, help is waiting in these two Asian towns, where autumn has arrived, where people assist when needed and where home-town people enjoy a trying karaoke vocalist.