Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Smangus 2 / 司馬庫斯 2


從司馬庫斯村落必須步行至少一個小時才能到達森林裡的景點,但光是在小村落中就有很多可愛的植物。大自然太多學問,雖然我無法知道所有植物的名稱,不過研究它們的造型和顏色對我很有幫助。

From the Smangus village, tourists have to walk at least one hour to reach any scenic spot in the woods.  But in the village center, there are numerous interesting-looking plants. Nature contains too much knowledge for me to learn. Though I can't master it all, I find it very helpful to study their shapes and colors. 



        這是有眼睛的樹!

   "I am watching you!" The tree says with his eye. 



        掛在樹枝上的紅色星星。

   A red star in the woods.









        魔豆說這是黃花月見草,傍晚六七點才開花,果然等它盛開時,昆蟲便已在花中大啖花蜜。早晨,花就謝了。

   Our guide Modo says this is a large-flower evening primrose. It doesn't bloom until the evening. I find a green bug feasting inside the petals when it is in bloom. The flower withers the next morning. 



        這些都只是前奏,我們的森林探險才正要開始!

   Well, these are just the appetizers. We are only about to start our adventure in the forest. 



        天亮時,小木屋門口有個貴客!

   A lovely guest is awaiting us on the door at dawn! 

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Smangus 1 / 司馬庫斯 1


司馬庫斯位於新竹縣玉峰村,由泰雅族人自治管理,是個藏在山間的小村落,要開好一段山路才到得了這個與世隔絕的仙境。至於司馬庫斯的名字由來,則是為了要紀念一位叫作「馬庫斯」的祖先,司馬庫斯是敬稱。

Smangus is located in Yu-fong Village in Hsin-chu County, administered by the Tayal Tribe. It is a small village tucked away in the mountains. To go there, we experience a super bumpy car ride on the winding mountain roads. The name Smangus derives from the name of an ancestor Mangus. Smangus is the respectful form. 









        泰雅族屬高山民族,是台灣人口前幾名的原住民族群,現分布於中央山脈兩側。目前司馬庫斯戶籍上有登記的人口爲178人,從2004年開始共同合作的契約,百分之八十的居民一起經營當地的旅遊業和種植業。村落中心主要是為旅客設的食住空間,族人則以家族爲生活單位,有特殊技藝的家庭如打獵或編織,會在門牌上刻代表才藝的木雕圖騰。

   The Atayal (Tayal) Tribe is a mountain tribe. Atayal means "genuine person" or "brave man." It is one of the biggest tribes in Taiwan now, mainly found on two sides of the Central Mountain Ranges. Now based on the population census, there are 178 inhabitants. Since 2004, about 80% of the tribespeople have worked together in the tourism section and agriculture. In the center of the village are buildings, especially wooden ones, dedicated to tourism. As for the locals, every family has their own house. If a family is particularly good at hunting or weaving, there will be totems on the wood-carved door plate. 









        村裡處處可見族人的木雕作品,因為沒有政府或外資介入,司馬庫斯流露著樸實簡單的生活風味。

   Wood carvings are seen everywhere in the village. Without the interference of the government or private businesses from the outside world, there is an extremely simple yet charming feel to the place. 



        木屋外牆的塗鴉自然迷人。

   I love the unadorned paintings on the outside of the wooden houses. 



        帶我們導覽的小帥哥魔豆說話的時候,陽光打在他的眼睛裡,非常好看。

   Our guide, Modo, has the sunlight in his eyes, which I find a very beautiful image. 



        這是存放小米的榖倉,加高及加塑膠板是為了防止害蟲進入。

   This is the storage house for millet. The wooden pillars and smooth plastic boards are to prevent bugs from eating the crops. 



        小米不同品種顏色也不一樣。

   Different species of millet have different colors. 



        掉落木柱縫隙的小米粒居然發了芽,在這裡到處可感受生命力。

   The millet seeds falling between the wooden pillars have burgeoned. Here, we witness the power of life in every corner. 



        部落裡有一間小學校,是新光國小司馬庫斯實驗分班,一到六年級只有十五個學生。魔豆說他小時候,為了到山對面的新光國小上學,一趟要步行四到五個小時。現在新光國小派三位老師到司馬庫斯支援。

   There is a very small school here, the branch of Xin-guang Elementary School. The total number of students is 15. Modo says in his childhood, in order to go to school on the opposing side of the mountain, he had to walk 4-5 hours on each trip. Now three teachers are dispatched from Xin-guang Elementary School to teach in Smangus. 









        學校是族人親手建立的。

   The tribespeople built the school on their own. 







        教室的裝飾很有小朋友的氣質,不知道這裡的孩子有沒有因此很喜歡上學。

   The decorations of the classrooms are so adorable. I wonder if the kids here like going to school because of this reason. 





        廁所的性別說明牌,真是太可愛了!

   The "men/women" stone plates in front of the classrooms. So creative! 



        籃球場前被遺忘的腳踏車也正在放暑假呢!

   The forgotten bike outside the basketball court is enjoying its summer vacation too! 

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

Butterflies / 蝴蝶


六月,陽明山的二子坪因盛開蜜源植物,吸引了很多了蝴蝶,我對蝴蝶滿天紛飛的畫面很嚮往,覺得自己不能錯過這樣美好的大自然。

Every June is the blooming period for nectar plants in Yangmingshan, Taipei, so butterflies swarm the mountain paths. I am tempted by a strong urge to see the fantastic scene of colorful fairies scattering the whole sky. 











        不只蝴蝶喔,毛毛蟲、瓢蟲、蜘蛛、蜜蜂都出席盛大的派對,大家盡情吃吃喝喝、在花草間自在地打滾。

   In fact, there are way more than butterflies. Caterpillars, ladybugs, spiders and bees are all part of the party. Everyone eats, plays and rolls happily among blossoming plants. 









        蝴蝶和花兒親吻著,更棒的是,吻都是甜甜的味道,還可以塞飽肚子呢!

   Butterflies can't stop kissing flowers. Better yet, the kisses are sweet and filling! 









        每年青斑蝶在秋季後會隨著東北季風往南移動,前往琉球群島或台灣等地越冬繁殖,直到隔年春天,後代再隨西南氣流往北移動,曾有在台灣被標記的青斑蝶在日本被發現。

   Based on some research, blue-spotted butterflies fly south in autumn to spend winter in the Ryukyu Islands or Taiwan. Next summer, their offsprings move back north. Certain blue-spotted butterflies tagged in Taiwan were once discovered in Japan. 

        小小的身軀,卻可以完成兩千公里的大旅行,我們都只是來陪青斑蝶走一小趟路程,我們是多幸運的伴遊啊!

   It's amazing that a small butterfly can accomplish the grand journey that covers 2,000 kilometers. We are all here to be their companions on a short leg of their trip, but how lucky we are! 

Sunday, July 06, 2014

Cool summer / 涼夏


炙熱的夏日裡,我和楷維摘了子栩的薄荷葉泡薄荷茶,邊喝邊寫詩。

游爲淳寫

重口味的夏天

濕濕熱熱悶悶躁躁
                      
                         
                           
                               
                                      
                                            
躁躁悶悶熱熱濕            水         

不加調味的薄荷茶




On scorching summer days, Kai and I pick Sophy's peppermint leaves. We make cool peppermint tea and write poems to chill off. 

Summer 

by Weichuen You

Heavily-flavored summer is 

Humidhotstuffyfiery 
u                             r
might                       e
imagine                     i
drinking                     f
h                                 y
o                                  f
tea                                 f
s                                     u
t                                        t
u                                        s
flavored with                       t
f                                            o
y                                             h
f                                                d
i                                                  i
e                                                  m
rien                                                 u
y                  peppermint                   H