Fencing competition in Tainan
Our trip to Tainan was occasioned by our children’s fencing competition. While we had not visited Tainan previously, the drive was quite scenic, reminiscent of Oregon with its verdant landscapes and less congested traffic en route to Southern Taiwan.
We primarily spent our time at the National Taiwan University of Sports. I was particularly impressed by their institutional motto. The campus facilities and architectural style brought to mind my own elementary school experience in Hong Kong.
This competition marked their debut in Taiwan. Having started fencing several years ago in the United States, they developed a profound passion for the sport. The connections they forged and the sport itself were among the most challenging aspects to leave behind during our relocation. Furthermore, fencing is less prevalent here. They are only able to practice once a week in Taipei, a stark contrast to the three or four times a week they practiced in Oregon at a club that produced several NCAA champions. One of my children confided that they are working harder now, understanding that opportunities are scarcer and practice time is limited.
Nevertheless, I am pleased with their significant improvement, not only in skill but also in determination. While accolades are secondary, they have truly pushed themselves. They now have a 50-50 chance in matches and occasionally surprise us by performing well against higher-ranked opponents. Witnessing their victories has been quite moving. Most importantly, I am relieved to see them adjusting, and adjusting well so far. This presents a common dilemma for parents: wanting to challenge children by taking them out of their comfort zones, yet not wanting to see them struggle. In any case, their adjustment has exceeded my expectations.
No trip is complete without culinary exploration. We were surprised to find numerous “Hong Kong-style” eateries in Tainan. We selected one that appeared to be owned by recent immigrants to Taiwan. It was a small restaurant, seemingly run by a couple. While the taste wasn’t exceptional, it certainly had a Hong Kong-esque aroma and flavor. The most surprising à la carte discovery was near the competition venue. We enjoyed the best Hong Kong-style pineapple bun (to clarify, Hong Kong pineapple buns do not contain pineapple). They were authentically Hong Kong, perfectly prepared, and cost only TWD $40! Speaking of food costs, I was quite surprised in Tainan. I purchased fried chicken from another establishment, expecting a portion suitable for my wife and me as an afternoon snack. However, it turned out to be a generously sized box that could easily feed our entire family.
This all took place on Teachers’ Day, which I believe is Confucius’s birthday. It might be a Taiwan-specific holiday, but I still wanted to give a shout-out to my former students.
