Promise / 承諾

旅行回來之後，真的沒有時間停下腳步，重新咀嚼消化旅行的片段，但是我很明白我欠自己這麼一個承諾，雖然我們常常和自己說，都放在心裡了，不過隨著年歲增長，大部分的時候，那些看起來不重要但其實極重要的細節，面臨被遺忘的命運，假如我們有幸，或許在下次的機會可以重新學一遍，可是人生如此多變，與其預期這麼多，不如把握已經得到的。

After coming back from the trip to Europe, my schedules are so packed that I really don’t have time to digest and recreate the unforgettable images and moments on the journey. But I know well that I owe myself a promise. We often give the excuse that all the important lessons have been kept in mind. However, to be honest, as we age, we learn nothing except leaving those seemingly unimportant but in fact extremely important details in oblivion. If we are lucky, we might have another chance to learn them again. But life is so unpredictable. Instead of expecting so much, I’d rather seize what I have learned.

我是對自己負責任的人，也不想讓這趟美麗的旅行付諸流水，所以，薛吉和我在2010年的1月一整個月份，要在泰順街的「步調」咖啡館辦一場旅行的插畫展覽，如果你剛好在做年度計畫，請不要錯過到匈牙利和西班牙旅行的機會。

As you all know, I am a responsible person, and I don’t want to keep the memories of this beautiful trip all to myself. Therefore, Shaggy and I are going to hold a duo exhibit of illustrations in Pace Café on Tai-shun Street for a whole month in January, 2010. If you happen to be making your annual plan, don’t miss such a fabulous opportunity to travel to OUR Hungary and Spain.

我期待看到我自己的世界，也期待看到你！

I am so looking forward to seeing my own world as well as you!

Love Me! 愛我吧！

「愛我吧！」我們總是真切地渴望對某個人說這句話，卻忘了，在那之前，我們應該先對自己說這句話。

“Love me!” We always desperately desire to say this to someone out there while we forget that before it happens, we have to say it to ourselves first.

自從去年到朱銘美術館畫長廊的牆壁之後，身邊的友人紛紛承諾把目前或將來可能擁有的白牆提供給我作畫。今年因為工作過於辛勞，沒有參加朱銘長廊的徵選，不過「塞翁失馬焉知非福」這句話真不是說假的，大方的Nana力邀我為她的牆壁上一點圖案，而我很高興在暑假結束之前，我們一同完成了這個計畫。

Since my mural-painting project at Ju-ming Museum last summer, many friends and relatives have promised to offer their current or future white walls for me to paint. This year, due to my work, I didn’t participate in the mural contest. But people don’t say “a blessing in disguise” for nothing. My generous friend Nana invited me to color her walls. I am glad to have carried out the plan before summer break ends.

和Nana在一起的一天一夜裡，我們不只是畫畫，還談了很多關於現階段人生的困境和期待，在回家的路上還偶然看到了一整片天空的星星，我覺得自己像是參加了一場愉快的夏令營，也許我們現在過得不是別人最羨慕的生活，但是我們很清楚自己的好運氣，未來迎面而來的機會，我們會勇敢地抓住，即使會受傷。

During one day and one night I spent with Nana, we didn’t just paint. We pondered much on our dilemma and anticipation at this stage of life. We were even rewarded with a whole sky of stars on our way home. Our time together felt like a happy summer camp experience. Maybe we do not have the best life, but we are so aware of our good luck. We know that we won’t miss any chance coming along, even though we might get hurt and fall again.

謝謝Nana，當我一路走來的好朋友！

Thank you Nana, for being my lifelong good friend！

the temperature of a hug / 擁抱的溫度

我很怕分別的場面，其實我明白自己只要度過了分離的時間點，很快地就能夠向前進，只是在那一點，眼淚總是會不聽使喚地掉下來。所以不去機場，不是不在意，這對我來說是平靜但帶著祝福的選擇。

I am afraid of the moment of saying goodbye. Well as I know, as long as I make it through that moment, I will move on without any difficulty, still, at that moment, I can’t control my tears. So not going to the airport isn’t a synonym of indifference. Instead, it’s a way of bidding farewell in a peaceful way, with best wishes.

這個星期讀了Barrie Greiff的「人生的九個學分」，作者提到了擁抱的溫度，一個擁抱的溫度可以持續多久？我給了很多擁抱，不過我想最特別的就是荳荳的擁抱了，我們總是會抱得不能呼吸，那是充滿熱度和誠意的肢體動作，而且這已經是第二年我們用這樣的方式說再見，我不知道未來會如何，可是我們的擁抱裡說著，明年再來一次吧！

This week I read Legacy, the Giving of Life’s Greatest Treasures by Barrie Greiff. Dr. Grieff mentioned the temperature of a hug. How long can the warmth of a hug last? I have given many hugs, but the most unforgettable one goes to Miss Sprout’s. We always hold each other so tight that we can’t breathe. It’s a body gesture full of heat and sincerity. And this is the second year we say goodbye in this manner. I don’t know when we will get to see each other again in the future, but in our hug, we both pray hard, “Let’s do it again next year!”

對很多人來說，可能身體住的是一個地方，但心裡想的卻是另一處，有可以想望的地方，就像有可以思念的人，其實也是很幸福的事，身為被想念的地方和人，就更幸福了。

For many people, they live in a place physically, while their hearts long for another place. Isn’t it a beautiful thing to have a place to think about? As a place and someone being missed, it’s a blessing.

請把我們當作你的動力跑鞋，在很巨大的美國好好生活，活出夢想！

We are all in your sneakers. We’ll help you run in the vast United States to your dream!

the sunset here / 這裡的夕陽

從高緯度地區的夏天回到台灣，有一件事情我總是要花上好幾天的時間才能習慣，過慣了太陽九點以後才下山的日子，我一下子有點難接受六點半就天黑，走在路上我有種輕飄飄的不真實感。而且這次旅行裡，我實在被寵壞了，我們很幸運地收集到每個城市的日落景色，所以儘管旅行結束之後，我的工作表滿檔，身體和大腦以超速往前進，我的心卻被留在那些迷人的相片和回憶中，回不來。

Every time when I return from trips to higher latitude countries, it always takes me a few days to accept the fact that I live in a place where the sun sets at no later than 7 pm in summer. I am not sure that my feet actually touch the ground when walking outside in the dark. Besides, I was so spoiled on this trip. We collected the sunsets of every city we visited. Thus, though my schedules were totally packed after the trip and my body and brain moved at a supersonic speed, my heart was left in those poetic photos and memories. It couldn’t find the way home.

上個周末帶著我們家的Shorty去苑裡游泳，Shorty的爸媽忙著為牠梳洗，我就在一旁寫生，突然他們看我不動，因為我發現，太陽要掉進雲裡了，那噗通一聲前的醞釀真好看，我不禁想，這裡的日落也很美嘛！好像是這個領悟，讓我完完全全地回來了。

Last weekend, we took Shorty, the dog of our big family, to a swimming pool in rural Miaoli. Shorty’s parents were busy doing the grooming work while I took my time drawing. Suddenly, they found me standing still…because I found that the sun was about to drop into the clouds! The whole process before the final fall was fantabulous. I couldn’t help thinking, the sunset here is also lovely! I guess this realization brought every part of me back.

因為一隻狗，發現了一片風景，改變了心境，這是之前那個不喜歡狗的我看也看不到的世界。

Thanks to a dog, I discovered brand-new scenery and changed my state of mind. This is the world that the previous me, who didn’t like dogs, can’t see.

後記：請看我家的Shorty和我的神奇小帽。

P.S.: This is our Shorty plus my magic beret hat.

Life Lesson in Barcelona / 巴塞隆納的人生課題

馬德里是國王的城市，一切都採最氣派的架勢，連遊客的調性也冷冷的。巴塞隆納沒有首都之名的負擔，華麗、熱情、不拘泥於傳統，當初我們之所以決定拜訪西班牙，就是因為伍迪艾倫在電影「情慾巴塞隆納」裡把她塑造地很迷人，讓我們有非去不可的理由。

Madrid is the city of kings. Everything is as grand and majestic as you can imagine. Even tourists exuded a certain aura of condescension. Barcelona, on the other hand, is free from the burden of a capital city. It is colorful, passionate, unconventional. In fact, it played a key role in our going to Spain because we were so tempted after having seen Woody Allen’s Vicky Christina Barcelona.

只可惜我們沒有電影裡女主角隨性的邂逅，我甚至不是抱著那樣的心情去到巴塞隆納，出發時內心充滿著某種失落的惆悵，有好幾次白花花的陽光照得我頭暈目眩，我只能被動地跟隨小秘書薛吉的腳步，必要時就出馬說出我有限的西班牙文生字，這種感覺很超現實，畢竟以前的我是多麼獨立自主的旅者。

To get back to many friends’ question, no, we didn’t have any romantic encounters, strictly speaking, like the lead roles in the movie. It was not with such expectation that I went to Barcelona. I actually set out with a sense of loss and sentimentality. Several times, the dazzling sunshine really made my head spin. I wasn’t capable of anything except following Shaggy around. When necessary, I would speak the few Spanish words I knew to get to our destinations. It felt very surreal since I used to be a super independent traveler.

人和人之間講求緣分，人和地方也是。「我愛巴黎」裡最後一段故事，陳述一位美國女子獨自去到巴黎，沒有情人、沒有朋友的陪伴，卻從與城市的連結得到撫慰，我看了好幾回，始終不太能理解她的經驗，但是在巴塞隆納，我居然也得到類似的啟發。某日午後，我們在奎爾公園，從入口畫到高第之家到人潮不斷的涼亭，街頭藝人一邊演奏有些滄桑的西班牙吉他，遊客不斷從我們身邊流過，我就頭也不抬地在紙上刷啊刷的，有人湊過來，我也完全不在意了，這是我必須要面對自己的時刻。

Some people and we are meant to be. It’s the same between some places and us. In the last episode in Paris, Je T’aime, a single American woman goes to Paris alone, without any lover or friend. Yet, her connection with the city consoles her. I watched the film several times, but I never quite understood how Paris did that. Nonetheless, in Barcelona, I was inspired in similar ways. One afternoon on our visit to Park Güell, we drew upon entering, then all the way to Casa-Museu Gaudi, to the huge pavilion where we were accompanied by the Spanish guitarist. The sentimental music and tourists flowed past by me, but I didn’t raise my head at all. I didn’t even mind the attention I drew from them. This was the moment between me and myself.

次日，我試著抬頭，不過是為了飲入更多的風景，那天移動的腳步很緩慢，踏出新的一步，就要畫下新的風景，一直到傍晚，我們到港口作最後的寫生，當作和巴塞隆納說再見的儀式，那天我畫了11張圖。

The following day, I raised my head, to drink in more scenery. I moved at an extremely slow pace. With one step I took, I had to draw a new scene. This lasted until we went to the harbor in the evening for the last sketch as our ritual to say goodbye to Barcelona. I drew 11 pictures in total that day.

人生盡是不如意，但是我不想要這些小挫折在我的心裡留下滄桑的痕跡。隔天清晨天還未亮，我們在錠藍色的天空下邁開腳步，儘管行李有些沉重，我的心輕快了起來，期待下一站。

Life is full of unfulfilled dreams and love, but I don’t want these tiny frustrations to leave any sad trace in my heart. The following morning, before the sun rose, we strode ahead under the indigo sky. Despite the heavy luggage, my heart felt light. And we were so looking forward to the next stop.

後記：我實在是過得太舒服了，才有空想這些有的沒有的，想到88水災的受難者，我因為很羞愧，所以已經採取行動，大家有錢有力都去賑災吧！

sunshine and raindrops / 太陽和雨水

我很喜歡太陽天，是那種只要有陽光，心情可以晴朗到沒有陰影的喜歡，在西班牙過了三個星期幾乎沒有下雨的日子，回到天空陰陰的台北，是有些不適應。

I am a fanatic fan of sunny days. I have to specify, I love sunny days so much that whenever there is sunshine, I believe everything is possible. After spending three almost cloudless and rainless weeks in Spain, I wasn’t quite upbeat to get back to dark Taipei.

上個周末在馬德里的普拉多美術館外面寫生，天氣本來亮麗到不行，但是畫著畫著，突然就下起我們在西班牙第一場雨，大家急忙躲到排隊買門票的傘棚底下，因為急降的氣溫，眼前的情侶紛紛熱烈地擁抱起來，我們也感染到雨天的浪漫，嘴邊不禁掛起微笑，我還把札記本伸出傘外收集幾滴馬德里的雨水，水在亮藍色的線條上暈開來，我當時想，這是再好不過的紀念品。

Last weekend we were drawing sketches outside El Prado in Madrid. The weather couldn’t be finer. However, before we were aware, we were confronted with the first shower in Spain. Most people were eager to hide under the umbrellas originally used for those lining up for purchasing tickets. The temperature dropped abruptly, which only brought lovers so much closer, right in front of our eyes. We were infected with love in the air and couldn’t help smiling. I placed my sketch in the rain, trying to collect a few raindrops. The water blurred my water-blue lines. It occurred to me that this was the best souvenir.

回到家之後，媽媽三番兩次提醒我，要回到現實來，我已經不在西班牙了。為了大聲說，雨水也帶不走我的好心情，我在颱風過後的傍晚撐著傘，在樓下有著昏黃路燈的廣場，一個人散步，走著走著，突然就沉浸在滴滴答答的雨聲裡，也有一種幸福的感覺。

After coming home, Mom was so into reminding me of planting my feet on the ground—I am NO LONGER in Spain. To declare out loud that rain can’t make me blue, I took a one-man stroll in the company of an umbrella on the dimly-lit square after the typhoon sailed away. Step by step, I was lost in the pattering rhythms of rain. And, I felt good!

我是離開西班牙了，但要是我的內心住了個南歐人呢？

I did leave Spain, but what if a South European dwells in me?

Me Gusta España, Me Gusta Shaggy / 我愛西班牙，我愛薛吉！

旅行回來好幾天了，卻不太知道要寫些甚麼，能說的太多了，但不知道要從何說起。今天赫然發現，在我留下的一片寂靜裡，還是有許多關愛的暖流游進來，所以我好像不該再沉默了。

I’ve come home for a few days, but I had no idea what to write. There is just so much to say, but I don’t know where to start. Today I discovered in all that silence I had left behind, many friends sent in warm currents of concern. I guess I shouldn’t remain taciturn anymore.

這趟旅行，用一句話總結，是我人生中最棒的旅行，一路上我們從匈牙利受到Carol的照顧，飛到慕尼黑，在冷冷的城市裡有溫暖的旅館，再飛到西班牙，遇到各式各樣幫助我們的人，謝謝那些和我們相遇的陌生人，你們會出現在我們即將創作的展覽裡。

This trip, in a few words, is the best trip in my life. We were showered with care and good luck all the way from Budapest by Carol, to Munich by our lovely hotel, to Spain by various kinds of people who gave us a hand. I want to thank those strangers we encountered. You will definitely show up in our future exhibit at the end of the year.

旅行中有很多過去出現的元素，我不時從別人身上看到自己曾經發生的故事，有時候真的很想走過去拍拍他們的肩，告訴他們一切都會ok，但因為我的新同伴薛吉，我們有了嶄新的嘗試，我開始在旅行裡認真畫畫，讓我的心沉澱。我學會用自在的步調在旅行裡生活。

There were many recurrent themes on this trip. I constantly saw my past stories in others. Sometimes I really couldn’t curb the urge to go up to them and pat them on the shoulder, telling them that everything would be ok. On the other hand, thanks to my new companion, we had brand-new episodes. I started to take drawing seriously and let my heart calm down. I learned to “live” at my own pace on the journey.

我在旅行札記裡寫著：如果你有愛的人，一定要一起旅行，因為一個人旅行看到的大多數是外在的風景，有同伴時會看到人的風景，然後也許我們會學著珍惜。

I wrote in my travel log, “If you fall in love with someone, you have to travel together. When you travel alone, you see mostly outward scenery. With a companion, especially someone you love, you get to see scenery inside him or her. Then maybe we will learn to cherish what we have.”

所以我要用我的西班牙熱情說：「我愛西班牙，我愛薛吉！」

So I can only say, “Me gusta España, me gusta Shaggy!” with my new Spanish passion!