Setting Our Lanterns Free at Pingxi

Pingxi District is a quaint area about 45 minutes by car to the east of Taipei. It is surrounded by lush foliage-covered mountains, streams, old coal railway tracks, and many tourists from all over the world. It was our P-day - and the mission president and his wife arranged for the senior missionaries to enjoy a day outing together.

We first stopped to enjoy the Shifen Waterfall. It is 66 feet high and 130 feet wide - the widest waterfall in Taiwan. It was gorgeous.

Along the way we were greeted by petitions to Buddha - red ribbons draped over tree branches or local dragon gods and statues - wishes for prosperity, health or wealth.





Some petitions to Buddha are of Japanese tradition, as are these hanging bamboo tubes.

We then enjoyed the streets of Old Pingxi - shops full of lanterns and wonderful foods to try. 

Pingxi is famous for it's lantern festival in the spring. But people come all year long, day or night, to write their dreams or special messages with ink and brush, then send their lanterns and their dreams up to the heavens. Thousands of people come from all over the world to send their lanterns into the heavens. Kind of reminds me of Letters to Juliet.

Writing well-wishes on lanterns before launching them.

Adding well wishes onto our lantern.

You get four sides of your lantern to write of your dreams and loves. 

The old railway, still active today, is just meters away from the shops on both sides. The tracks make a safe and convenient spot to set up for photo ops, lighting the lanterns, and then setting them free. Watch the lanterns being launched here: 

The train brings more tourists every 20 minutes or so. Someone who is keeping time blows a whistle, and everyone immediately empties the tracks.  The train bustles through, just a few meters away from all the tourists. Then everyone returns back to the tracks for more lantern launching. Check out the video: The Pingxi Express! 

The fuel for the lanterns is made up of "hell notes" - or fake money that is designed to be burned and "sent" to the spirit realm to finance loved ones on the other side, in case they need it. These notes are doused in oil, making them an ideal source of fuel to heat the paper lanterns.

Some lanterns never make it. Winds or other circumstances may cause the sides of lantern to catch fire before it leaves the rail tracks, leaving your dreams turning to ashes at your feet. So sad!

It's our turn. Our lantern is ready for launching. The names of our children filled one side. We didn't have room for all 23 grandchildren! But they're included with their parents well wishes!

We set our lantern free!  Click here for a video: 

Lanterns dot the sky

Downed and collected lanterns pile up, providing income for local residents
 who turn them in for cash.

Several suspension bridges cross the Keelung River.

So when you all come to visit - we'll take you here!  It is an amazing place full of culture, cuisine and class!

Moon Festival Time!

Courtesy of Flikr.com/ Pasu Au Yeung

The Moon Festival, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture.  It is held on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, which this year happened on September 27th, a Sunday. It is the time in the year when the moon appears at its fullest size. We didn't get to see the "blood moon" in our area - but it was full and beautiful none-the-less.

Monday, the 28th, was a public holiday and we had the day off from the office. Our branch enjoyed the day at beautiful Gold Coast Beach. The branch members really know how to throw a party!

Grilled chicken, pork chops, corn, sweet potatoes, and eggplant were cooked up in huge quantities.

Once the eggplant is grilled and soft, the peel was removed. Japanese eggplant is yummy!

Maribel reminds us that Casaba melons are the best!

Elder Coffey with some quality one-on-one time with a branch member.

Nearly everyone wore their "Meet the Mormons" t shirt!

Elder Coffey provides a defense zone for attacking water fighters.

After eating, the games began!

Sister Chan demonstrates how it is done right!

Not everyone was happy though!

That night Elder Coffey and I explored Victoria Park to see some of the lanterns, which are a popular part of the celebration. 

Strange, but it is our last Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong..... time is ticking on our mission....