the "mature" female travelers / 熟齡旅行團之熟女日記

身為熟齡旅行團的團員之一，我努力地尋找出遊的好機會，眼看美燕位於新社的民宿就要開張了，我興沖沖地邀請John和Sharon和我同行，誰知這輩子從未拒絕過我的John大叔居然冷冷地回答：「台中太遠了，你還是自己去吧！」雖然我有些落寞，卻沒想到這其實是上帝為我開了另一扇窗‧‧‧

As one of the three group members of mature travelers, I open my eyes wide and seek opportunities for fun all the time. As Meiyen's B & B was about to open, I couldn't wait to invite John and Sharon. Well, John, who had never turned me down in this life, only replied nonchalantly, "Taichung is too faraway. Why don't you go by yourself?" Though I felt kind of disappointed, I didn't know that there was something else God had in store for me.

於是我得到和一群熟女同車的機會，沿途的樂趣請待下回分解。過了兩個多小時愉快又自在的車程，我們終於來到了傳說中已久的民宿。在感人的開幕典禮中，美燕解釋，這棟美麗的房子源自於她想要為父親圓夢，因為王爸爸一直嚮往定居於風光明媚的鄉間，美燕和友人便排除萬難，其間也經歷過各式各樣的挫折和考驗，但是數個月之後，在許許多多人的幫忙下，終於實現了王爸爸的夢想。

Then I won a lovely chance to travel together with a car of beautiful, mature ladies. As for the story, please read my next post. After a little more than two hours, we finally came to the legendary B&B. In the heartwarming grand open ceremony, Meiyen explained that the inspiration for this house actually came from her father. He had longed to spend his old age in the scenic countryside. Meiyen, with the support of her enthusiastic friends, overcame all sorts of difficulties. Several months later, she finally fulfilled her dad's dream. Of course, many kind-hearted people gave her a hand along the way to make the dream come true.

就當我們一如往常地生活，還只是在作夢時，美燕不時地往返台北台中，從大都市到鄉下的路途沒有直達車，她卻和朋友默默地朝著原本認為不可能的夢想前進，一日復一日，我們抱怨著無所作為時，她的夢想有了架構，然後生根、茁壯。有這樣的朋友，我覺得自己很幸福，我也要如此腳踏實地去築夢。

As we lived our day-to-day life and daydreamed without taking any action, Meiyen traveled between Taipei and Taichung. She had to transfer from the big city to the country, but she and her friends got closer and closer to her dream silently. Day after day, while we were still complaining that life didn't give us anything, her dream took shape, was rooted, and even grew. I feel very lucky to have such a friend. Seeing what Meiyen has achieved, I am encouraged to go after my dream with such down-to-earth spirits.

美燕給我為民宿盡一份心力的機會，再加上有慧眼的美鳳為我的手繪瓶子選擇了很棒的背景，這是民宿裡浪漫的玫瑰角落，來訪的友人們紛紛於此攝影留念。

Meiyen gave me a chance to do something for her house. Meifong, who has always been insightful, chose an excellent spot for my hand-painted vases. This is the romantic rose corner in the house. Many visitors were eager to take a photograph here.

民宿附近就是迷人的花海區，最近(11月17日)花季才正要開始，亮麗的波斯菊已經等不及了喔！

Near the B&B is the charming flower field. The flower festival is about to start (November, 17th). The brightly-colored coreopsis can't wait!