Lantern festival is held every year on the 15th day of the first moon-this year on February 4. It is celebrated in different ways, but in Pingshi, a small village north of Taipei they celebrate by sending up sky lanterns. We went with a group from our church. The sights were so beautiful. Most of Taiwan celebrates with fancy painted and decorated lanterns that sit on the ground or are hung from buildings. Pingshi is the only place you will find sky lanterns. There are shops all along the street where you can buy a large paper lantern, then you write messages on it. We wrote prayers and Harrison even added some decoration. Then they put a small stack of papers soaked in kerosene or some other fuel in the bottom of the lantern and light it. You have to hold the lantern up while it fills with gas before releasing it into the night sky.
This was definitely a worth while trip and will be stored away in our "favorite memories of Taiwan" collection.
This is a few seconds after a group let it go.
Harrison drawing on our lantern.
Holding it up waiting for lift off.
A beautiful, fun-filled night together.
shops along the main street with lanterns hanging out front to display the kind that they sell.
This is a few seconds after a group let it go.
Harrison drawing on our lantern.
Holding it up waiting for lift off.
A beautiful, fun-filled night together.
shops along the main street with lanterns hanging out front to display the kind that they sell.
During our spring break we went to Danshui, a port town north of Taipei. It was a very foggy day but perfect weather.
Harrison's first school photo. As you can see he takes school very seriously. This was taken last month by a student at Tapa, Emily Chi. bonus info: his shirt says "chill'n out, i;m so cool"
This is walking down the hill with the NEWSTART building on the left, which is where we stayed for the weekend. We just couldn't get enough of the beautiful view.
Harrison next to the sign for newstart.
Taking a stroll together around the campus of TAC.
Ryan took a lot of pictures of the scenery. Maybe you can tell how much he misses living in the country.
Harrison playing with a little girl at a meeting on the first night there.
His GQ pose.
Today I went to the night market to buy an outfit for Harrison. On Sunday we are going to a wedding and then on the 24th the school is having a formal banquet. So, this is what i picked out for both. We also picked up the shoes, I tried them on his feet to make sure they fit before I bought them, and he liked them so much he wouldn't take them off, so he wore them all the way home.
Playing dress up in daddy's sweater. This was last weekend on the church retreat.
"trying to get my hands out of these looong sleeves."
" ah, a perfect fit"
