Posts by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
(DIR) Post #AZFnpjjxHCeTGYcTgm by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-08-28T10:39:09+00:00
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Elephant MountainThis is Elephant Mountain, a forested hill in Taipei's east, reaching from the city's edge towards its new commercial and financial center around Taipei 101. Living in Xinyi myself, its dense jungle and the small park of the same name are my favorite recreation spots for some free hours here and there.Taipei (and its broader metropolitan area New Taipei) lie in a flat basin some 15-20km in diameter. In the east, a valley reaches towards the Pacific. North, the extinct Volcano Yangminshan overlooks the city. To its west, a small hilly ledge separates the city from the strait. And south, waves of hills mount towards the mountain ranges. In a way, Elephant Mountain is their humble vanguard.Elephant Mountain is part of the "Four Beasts" (together with the leopard, tiger, and lion). For mountaineers, these hills are negligible. Not so for tourists, though! The Four Beasts are a popular weekend destination. If you ever see an image of Taipei with Taipei 101 prominently featured on it, odds are it is taken from here..🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #formosa #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🏔️ | #nature #naturephotography #park #urban #urbanphotography
(DIR) Post #AZFnq46fYShkQnOts0 by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-08-27T08:42:33+00:00
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The Last StormI used to have a favorite tree. It was a centuries-old beech tree, standing free on a small meadow, separated from the groves to its sides.It was a glorious tree, with a mighty crown and heavy branches strong and thin enough to allow children to hoist themselves up. Higher still, four trunks reached into the sky, but not without offering the climber a place to rest like the palm of a wooden hand. "The Old Beech" as we called it, "Die Alte Buche" was not one but four trees, siblings sharing not only water, ground, and parasites, but even a common gown of bark.A few years ago, a developer bought the area around it. It's close to my parent's house and there was much curiosity and some concern about what would happen to the woods and lines of sight. The beech stood under nature protection though, so it would stay and the developers had to make place for it with a small "park" around it.There won't be a park anymore. In February 2022, the old beech faced its last storm that took one of the four siblings. Briefly thereafter, chainsaws came for the other three. It saddens me still. But I am grateful I was visiting during that time, that I was able to say goodbye on my terms..🌏 | #germany #deutschland #westphalia #muensterland #🇩🇪📷 | #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🏞️ | #nature #naturephotography #tree #memories #mementomori
(DIR) Post #AZFns0WhpupjuIVO76 by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-08-22T08:09:57+00:00
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Office RitualsWhat do you do as a Western organization in Taiwan about local holidays? I have worked as a business consultant in my former life, so this question is still fascinating for me. It's even more important for my wife who now leads the local office of a German NGO.It was in my role as a photographer that I could get a feel about it two years ago, when I took some images for their inner and outer communication.Ghost Month and other holidays and traditions play an important role also for businesses and organizations. For "Westerners," it is a great way to engage with the local culture I think, to build bridges between "Western" and "Eastern" parts of the team. (Please excuse these rough categories here).On a more mundane level, it is a good way to come together as a team and engage in issues that speak to more than just the daily chores of business. Call it meaning or purpose, I am a strong proponent of creating personal spaces and stories. Work after all is an important part of life as well. While tradition, religion, and spirituality might provide the "content," their main function is to offer a space to connect.Some debates in the west are careful about "cultural appropriation." I think it is in general a good idea to be careful about rituals you don't understand fully and there are many examples that are cringe. Speaking just about the case I was invited to photograph, I think such criticism would be wrong, though. Done with honest intentions, sharing a ritual such as ghost month is a matter of respect, not disrespect for a European organization in Taiwan..🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #formosa #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🌃 | #street #streetphotography #tradition #spirituality #temple #ghostmonth #spirits #ritual #business #culture
(DIR) Post #AZFnsCfIhmq3YQcQAy by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-08-21T09:54:20+00:00
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The Dragon EmblemThis dragon was depicted in the walls of Bangka Qingshan Temple (艋舺青山宮), the place of most of last week's photos.I like how folk psychology and religion overlap in many of the Taoist and Buddhist temples here. You don't find old Germanic stories in German churches. There's no Brunhilde or Siegfried, no lindwyrms, dryads, or forest spirits and I think it would be fun to have memories of that parts of European culture as well. Maybe they would allow a more personal and mythic entrance to spirituality compared with the big Abrahamic religions. (Which is probably a reason said religions captured many of the pagan rituals over the centuries.)Are there public emblems of pagan spirituality you are aware of and interact with? Or is your personal mythology (if you have any) driven more by personal artifacts or places in nature directly?.🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #formosa #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼 📷 | #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🖼️ | #art #artphotography #creation #spirituality #paganism #mythology
(DIR) Post #AZFntAAXTHso6OghYe by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-08-17T10:12:51+00:00
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Joss paperGhost money or joss paper is square sized bamboo or rice paper you can buy in the temples itself or in specific shops around them. For me, its title "ghost money" originally created the wrong expectations. Ghost money (unlike "hell money"!) doesn't look like play money, but rather like precious letter paper. It is often decorated with stamps, seals, engraved designs, different colored paper pieces, or even images. But like with many nice things, all this isn't just easy. For once, as the degrees of "copper," "silver," and "gold" joss money for ghosts, ancestors, and gods suggest, there is often a considerable amount of heavy metals in joss money. For this reason, both health and environmental activists advocate to use different offerings or even forgo the burning completely. At the same time, joss paper is big business for temples. In 2014, joss paper worth $400 million was burned in Taiwan. As you need it to both keep away the hungry ghosts we talked about on Tuesday, and to make sure your ancestors never become hungry (see yesterday's post), this is maybe not surprising. On the other hand these numbers should be taken with a grain of salt. Rumor often has it that not few temples are a good facade for money laundering, mafia activities, or Chinese spy rings...Anyway, the nice lady in the picture is certainly on the good side of things. When visiting her shop after the rituals, she was happy to explain to us the most special and glorious variants of paper she is selling. If you feel you still have to make up for something with your grandparents, maybe she can help!. 🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #wanhua #臺灣 #台灣 #萬華區 #🇹🇼 📷 | #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #voigtlander40mmf12 #manualfocus 🌃 | #street #streetphotography #tradition #spirituality #temple #ghostmonth #spirits
(DIR) Post #AZM8HqJbaWwnnXjY2q by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-09-02T11:15:39+00:00
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Sun SalutationNo man ever steps into the same river twice, Heraclitus said. In the same vane, you cannot step into the same jungle twice. The jungle changes with every day, offering new miracles wherever the sun kisses the ground..🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #formosa #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🏔️ | #nature #naturephotography #flower #flowerphotography
(DIR) Post #AZW9qlkCOAGKt2Swe8 by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-09-07T08:07:07+00:00
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The messengerThere is a pigeon fancier in the valley around 象山. He has a shed in the hillsides above the park, hidden from the trees from below, but well visible if you find a higher spot around. In the mornings, the swarm sometimes takes some glorious circles around the park and the nearby high-rises, before settling next to the red flag bearer on the tower.Yeah, and this is what they look like from close-by. You gotta be lucky if you just have a 40mm manual lens and no 400mm af monster ;).🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #formosa #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🏔️ | #nature #naturephotography #animal #animalphotography #bird #birds #birdphotography
(DIR) Post #AZWe0lVl6gENgXOVe4 by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-09-06T07:39:59+00:00
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CurtainsIt is fascinating how even a narrow layer of leaves can serve as a curtain.But maybe they are not. Maybe its just my camera's way to steal a dimension of things....🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #formosa #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🏔️ | #nature #naturephotography #night #jungle #abstract #abstractphotography
(DIR) Post #AZeZOawl5X6zu9hQbg by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-09-10T07:56:45+00:00
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King of the SkiesElephant Mountain is among the prime tourist destinations in Taipei. But it is not trees, rocks, steep stairs, or mosquitos people come here for. It is the view towards the city, the view onto its monument, Taipei 101.We will cherish that view and all it brings with it the whole next week. Today, the king and queen of the skies..🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #formosa #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼 #taipei101📷 | #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🏔️ | #nature #naturephotography #architecture #architecturephotography #animal #animalphotography #wildlife #bird #birds #birdphotography #eagle
(DIR) Post #AZnPXHJPrfCbfq0zmC by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-09-15T09:25:51+00:00
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SuncatcherThe many platforms on Elephant Mountain offer a great view on Taipei 101. (This one is my favorite one, the often-overlooked "Firework Lookout"). It's a great place to take pictures of the city and the picture-takers of the city alike!(Oh how I love the Voigtlander sunstars!).🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #formosa #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼 #taipei101📷 | #photography #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🌆 | #architecture #architecturephotography #urban #urbanphotography
(DIR) Post #AZtvCWTkChQ3HnQ4Ce by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-09-18T10:12:09+00:00
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The HavenIt becomes cozy as night falls - especially in the hollows created by the hills and jungle. Towards the city, I often come by this building. It is special in a way different from the way that comes with lots of money alone. In a part of this city that is all about the Taipei 101-view, it relishes in its secludedness and mountain view. Gazing in from outside this seems to be less about what people living here have to hide, and all about that they don't have to prove anything to anyone anymore..🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #formosa #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #photography #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🌆 | #architecture #architecturephotography
(DIR) Post #Aa5xRZ7VTXL7jYf2Mi by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-09-24T11:47:23+00:00
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NightlifeThe sun never sets after seven, half an hour later the night has arrived. Nightlife starts, restaurants are packed, and you are advised to find dinner yourself. Around nine, it might be too late and most of the places already closed again. This is not a city for night owls - at least not for those flying on from far off, who don't know the night bars yet...Thank you for staying two weeks with me here on the hill. We'll turn away from Taipei 101 for now, but will surely coming back to it another day..🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #formosa #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼 #taipei101📷 | #photography #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🌃 | #architecture #architecturephotography #urban #urbanphotography #nightlige #nightfall #lights #cityscape
(DIR) Post #AaGudqw8teV9LJ4Woq by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-09-29T07:59:20+00:00
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Lost and foundAn older man, riding his bike away from the village to gather treasures others have left..🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #bali #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #photography #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🏙️ | #street #streetphotography
(DIR) Post #Aap3UDIiGyaN3LAiau by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-10-16T08:46:27+00:00
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Lady in green(From the Archives, 1/7)We had public holidays last week. I took the opportunity to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei (台北當代藝術館) with a friend. Most of my favorite art museums are contemporary art museums, Copenhagen's Louisiana or London's Tate Modern, for example. Taipei's museums don't play in the same league (by far). I sometimes struggle to understand the exhibition's deeper meaning, maybe the cultural difference plays a part in it. Still, it's a fun thing to do at a Saturday when I'm to lazy to leave the city!Anyway. I always bring my camera so even if I am not blown away by the art itself from time to time, museums are a great place to take some sneaky pictures of the visitors. In this case, the image was taken less sneakily. (Publishing it is, though :D) Thank you friend!.🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #photography #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🖼 | #portrait #portraitphotography #museum
(DIR) Post #AaxDhlkdW5Ns4Apdmy by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-10-20T07:16:02+00:00
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Light Flights(From the Archives, 5/7)The interior of Weiwuying's interiors like the waiting areas around the theater halls for example too are inspired by a maritime aesthetic: Big shafts, manholes, and skylights let the sun in at many places and remind of ship hatches. And as the harsh summer sun crashes through the turquoise windows, the halls themselves feel like an underwater palace..🌏 | #taiwan #kaohsiung #weiwuying #臺灣 #高雄市 #🇹🇼📷 | #photography #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🏙️ | #architecture #architecturephotography #street #streetphotography #concerthall #cinematic
(DIR) Post #Ab2E3YLT0mcueLFJiq by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-10-22T10:23:47+00:00
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Kung Fu Rabbit(From the Archives, 7/7)Xindian Yulong City is a big mall in Taipei's southern Xindian district. It hosts Taipei's popular Eslite bookstore chain - and the probably biggest version what might be Eslite's mascot in this Chinese Year of the Rabbit, Giant Kung Fu Rabbit!I guess it works though. I took the 50 minute ride just to see it, to be honest. (And to use the occasion to stroll around Xindian and its nice riverside parks!) It was fun playing with long exposure a bit. And I also learned to really appreciate the side zipper of my new backpack..🌏 | #taiwan #taipei #xindian #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #photography #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🏙️ | #street #streetphotography #yearoftherabbit #kungfurabbit #cinematic
(DIR) Post #AbccgQfSBGIezmLLGK by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-11-07T00:20:50+00:00
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Oh, den kenne ich gut! Welch eine schöne Überraschung ihn hier zu sehen ☺️
(DIR) Post #Abgavqu3UtFfQnEuGW by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-11-07T10:59:19+00:00
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Gnomes(Xiaoliuqiu, 11/16)There is something mythical about the paths surrounding Xiao Liuqiu island, an otherworldly union of water, air, stone, and roots.According to Wikipedia, in 1622 the Dutch ship Goude Leeuw ("Golden Lion") hit the island's coral reefs, after which its entire crew was massacred by the island's natives. Nine years later, the Dutch yacht Beverwijck wrecked on the same reefs. "Its fifty-odd survivors battled for two days before also being slaughtered to a man." Taiwan was a Dutch colony at that time, under the rule of the Dutch East India company. Its governor-general Hendrik Brouwer ordered the natives to be "punished and exterminated." An expedition in 1933 found a large cave where the local Lameyans sought refuge but failed to succeed in their gruesome mission.Three years later then an even larger expedition of several hundred Dutch soldiers came to the island and chased the Lameyans into the cave. They sealed its entrances, only leaving small holes where they burned pine wood and sulphur. The screams and pleads of the natives echoed eight days over the island. Then there was silence again. 300 men, women and children have suffocated during this _Lamey Island Massacre_, 323 more were captured as they tried to flee the cave and sold into slavery.In the decades following the massacre, the telling of course of events was distorted on its path through history. It was moved thirty years back to a time when the Dutch already fled Taiwan after being defeated by Southern Ming general Koxinga. Thus, instead of the Dutch, legend has that it was the British who burned the cave. Most importantly though, it was not Lameyan aboriginals who died there, but "negros" escaping from their Dutch units. The cave is named after these illusionary victims, the "Black Spirit Cave.".🌏 | #taiwan #liuqiu #小琉球嶼 #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #photography #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🌊 | #nature #naturephotography #bw #bwphotography #mystery #history
(DIR) Post #AbgayGD0NlwWUiFdzM by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-11-06T11:11:18+00:00
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Wild Boar Trail(Xiaoliuqiu, 10/16)A band of trails curls along the limestone rocks and cliffs that surround Xiao Liuqiu (小琉球嶼). As "Wild Boar Trench Trail" and "Black Spirit Cave" (GoogleMaps even refers to it as "Black Devil Cave"), they offer an adventurous path for tourists, leading through caves and along the shore. At each passage, small signs warn the wanderer to mind his or her head.There is something mythical about the paths, an otherworldly union of water, air, stone, and roots. Narrow steps carved into rocks. Small gnomes hidden at the wayside. Roots reaching out for the wanderer. Stone turtles rising from the rocks, as if to strive towards the sea. Indeed, if there is a place inhabited by spirits or haunted by ghosts on the island, it is this area. We will find out why tomorrow..🌏 | #taiwan #liuqiu #小琉球嶼 #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #photography #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🌊 | #nature #naturephotography #animal #animalphotography #bw #bwphotography
(DIR) Post #AbgbUe3tEVlnjvQiYq by timeintaiwan@pixelfed.social
2023-11-05T10:57:22+00:00
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Reminiscence of fish(Xiaoliuqiu, 09/16)[Xiao Liuqiu](https://bensahlmueller.com/xiaoliuqiu/)‘s fishing industry has mostly been replaced by its tourism industry. And yet it still shapes the island, its boats, buoys, nets, and icons still everywhere to be found.Most of its remnants seem to be focused around Dafu Fishing Port (大福漁港), the biggest fishing harbor of the island, positioned on its east side..🌏 | #taiwan #liuqiu #小琉球嶼 #臺灣 #台灣 #🇹🇼📷 | #photography #a7r #voigtlander #voigtlander40mm #manualfocus🌊 | #street #streetphotography