So I accidentally climbed a mountain today...

Wanting to explore the city a little more by myself, I drove around Kaohsiung on my scooter and came upon this temple




So overtaken by its beauty I was that I decided to park my scooter and climb up to it....except that the stairs that I thought led to the temple, really led to the top of this beautiful mountain. And not being one to give up on such a challenge designed by a greater hand, I climbed on.





Caught off guard by the beauty, the heat, and the old people climbing, I continued my climb unaware of my unfit presence until an old man stopped by the shaded tree looked at me and said, "hello"
I said "Ni hao!"
He looked at me laughing, "you, just one?"
"yep, me, just one"
He then pointed to his shoes and then to mine and began laughing as if I had said or done the funniest thing in the world. I realize I was not wearing proper attire and that this mountain had never felt such heels as were on my shoes, but I did not consider myself to be so hilarious. He showed me on a map where we were and said, "this way, this way". I knew that I didnt know that map and he didnt know me, so who was i to judge his recommendation of going that way? Though looking back, I probably should have because though it led down through a beautiful and rocky pathway, it also led me down on the other side of the mountain. But such is life and the adventures we allow ourselves to get into.





I also realized that since the sun is no friend of the asians as white skin is revered as high society, all these senior citizens not only were climbing up this mountain in 100 degree weather and something like 100% humidity, but they were also doing it in pants, jackets, hats, and face masks. I gave all of them the "I am very impressed" nod when I walked by. They know what I meant.



So on my way down the wrong side of the mountain, I came across a few fun friends: an old chinese man that spoke to me for about 20 minutes...in chinese. I tried to laugh at the appropriate parts, like when he pointed up the mountain and then at me. I sometimes repeated what he was saying and this threw him into a frenzy, laughing and clapping his hands. I started thinking about becoming a comedian here in Taiwan because apparently I am just that funny.



Then I came upon a rooster playground and an old man giving a head massage. It's odd to me that these things dont seem so odd to me anymore...




Then once I was down the mountain, it took me about half an hour to find my way back to the scooter....realizing a little too late that the whole mountain is surrounded by oddly similar looking red temples.




.....I love this place.