So the time is about 03:00 and we are still working hard. It is a good thing noone expected a vacation when coming here and that is probably the only reason that we have been able to get the resaults we have. All day today was spent working on our presentation for tomorrow which we have high hopes for.
Personally I have so much more to say but I feel that it is paramount to get some sleep now so that we don't look too tired while presenting tomorrow.
Good night and wish us well tomorrow.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sixth and Seventh Day of the Workshop
Yesterday we went and had a talk with the people at the Taipei Urban Development Office. They had prepared a nice presentation for us and were kind enough to answer some of our questions eventhough we went over our scheduled time. We got to see what they were planning and already doing which gave us something to think about.
After that we went back to the Studio with some great coffee from the Urbancore Cafe and worked hard until late.
Today we took a hired bus up to the mountains to see the Feitsui Reservoir which was really intresting and gave us another view on the river. Up there the river was blue and clear compared to the gray muddy water that's going trough the city. The nature around there was really healthy and beautiful.
On our way back we stopped at a small local restaurant and had a nice meal before going to a aboriginal settlement and locked at both the river there and the construction of the village itself. Our guide told us a lot about the place and we got to see yet another side of the complex problem that we are supposed to try and solve.
The last place we visited before returning home to work was the Dihua Sewage Treatment Plant and got to walk around and see the facilities. It was a very modern plant that showed good cleaning resaults and it was also designed so that since it was underground there was a park constructed on top of it. The only problem we could see there was that only 63% of Taipei was connected to it.
After that we went back to the Studio with some great coffee from the Urbancore Cafe and worked hard until late.
Today we took a hired bus up to the mountains to see the Feitsui Reservoir which was really intresting and gave us another view on the river. Up there the river was blue and clear compared to the gray muddy water that's going trough the city. The nature around there was really healthy and beautiful.
On our way back we stopped at a small local restaurant and had a nice meal before going to a aboriginal settlement and locked at both the river there and the construction of the village itself. Our guide told us a lot about the place and we got to see yet another side of the complex problem that we are supposed to try and solve.
The last place we visited before returning home to work was the Dihua Sewage Treatment Plant and got to walk around and see the facilities. It was a very modern plant that showed good cleaning resaults and it was also designed so that since it was underground there was a park constructed on top of it. The only problem we could see there was that only 63% of Taipei was connected to it.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Fourth and Fifth day of the Workshop
First off, sorry for not updating the blog yesterday. We were working hard during the day and in the evening we went and talked with the student of the Tamkang University which led to us returning around midnight.
Today however we started the day off with going to the City Hall and talking with the Hydraulic Departement. They showed us some specifics on the riversystem and then they started talking about their plans that are in effect. We learned quite a lot during the session we had with them. Afterwards we had a look at the Discovery Center of Taipei before part of the group took the long way up Taipei 101 to get a bird’s eye view of the city before returning to the Ruin Academy to work some more.
Later in the evening we kept a short presentation for the Tamkang and NTU students about our work and how it is connected to their work, after which we discussed with them about the technical solutions on some of their plans before returning home.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Third day in Taipei
Today was sunday and it was again filled with lots to do. We started the day off at 9 am and were a bit tired from yesterday because we stayed up quite less discussing what we had seen during the day.
Today we went and met up with Mrs. Chen who was the matriarcal leader at Tresure Hill and talked to her about the river and its pollution. She gave us a great view in how things have been and how the have changed. She even invited us to join her and some other people for a big dinner outside.
After having eaten a great meal we went to the International Fauna Expo and there we took a boattrip on the river where we could see among other things a dead fish floating. Due to the long bus-lines at the expo we decided it was faster to walk to the docks instead of waiting for the bus and as an added bonus we got to see part of the expo.
After the expo we went to the night-market to have something to eat before returning to our studio to do some planning.The planning went well and we felt we did som headway. But again we have been too excited about the project and stayed up a little too late. So now it is off to bed.
Today we went and met up with Mrs. Chen who was the matriarcal leader at Tresure Hill and talked to her about the river and its pollution. She gave us a great view in how things have been and how the have changed. She even invited us to join her and some other people for a big dinner outside.
After having eaten a great meal we went to the International Fauna Expo and there we took a boattrip on the river where we could see among other things a dead fish floating. Due to the long bus-lines at the expo we decided it was faster to walk to the docks instead of waiting for the bus and as an added bonus we got to see part of the expo.
After the expo we went to the night-market to have something to eat before returning to our studio to do some planning.The planning went well and we felt we did som headway. But again we have been too excited about the project and stayed up a little too late. So now it is off to bed.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
First post from Taipei
After a long fligth to Taipei via Amsterdam which took about 23hrs (and a timezone difference of + 6hrs) we finally arrived at our destination. Jetlag and getting settled took the best of us the day of arrival but we managed to get a few things done still. Today we started of with getting breakfast at 7-11 which consisted of a triangular riceball and something to drink. After that we took the MRT (metro) to our meeting.
We met with some fishermen who took us on their boats on a trip around the river. We got to see alot of the city from a different viewpoint and it was quite the experience. In the middle of the boattrip we stoppad at a local tempelsquare and tried some of the local cuisine. We had some noodles, pigsblood-soup, fried fish and had some jelly dessert. We saw some frogs and turtles but no one dared to try that.
After our lunch we got to go on the river some more before we arrived at the start of a walkway on one of the sides of the river. We walked for a long time before we took a ferry over to the other side of the river and walked along that. We noticed that it was lowtide and we walked out onto the riverbed and could see with our own eyes the shape it is in.
Later we had a fantastic dinner curtesy of JUT Foundation before going to the Tamkang University and meeting up with the other students involved in this program. Right now it is half past two and we should go to sleep so that we are well rested tomorrow.
We met with some fishermen who took us on their boats on a trip around the river. We got to see alot of the city from a different viewpoint and it was quite the experience. In the middle of the boattrip we stoppad at a local tempelsquare and tried some of the local cuisine. We had some noodles, pigsblood-soup, fried fish and had some jelly dessert. We saw some frogs and turtles but no one dared to try that.
After our lunch we got to go on the river some more before we arrived at the start of a walkway on one of the sides of the river. We walked for a long time before we took a ferry over to the other side of the river and walked along that. We noticed that it was lowtide and we walked out onto the riverbed and could see with our own eyes the shape it is in.
Later we had a fantastic dinner curtesy of JUT Foundation before going to the Tamkang University and meeting up with the other students involved in this program. Right now it is half past two and we should go to sleep so that we are well rested tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Last Minute
Just about 6hrs until we are meeting at Helsinki Airport and travel-fever is rising. The last things are being taken care of and some items still remain unpacked. Let's hope we do not forget anything important and that everything runs smoothly all the way to Taipei.
Next update will be done from half-way around the world. Wish us Godspeed.
Next update will be done from half-way around the world. Wish us Godspeed.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Travel Fever Rising
Well the departure draws closer and closer. Now it is just tomorrow left to do everything that has to be done before we can leave. Still no sponsorship for the flight-tickets but we will not let that dampen our spirits.
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