Postcard of good will / 善意的明信片

前一陣子去日本旅行時，因為急需修補這半年來心靈上累積的疲勞，我對於寫明信片興趣缺缺。主動問候友人需要無限的熱情，那是我全身上下充滿能量時才辦得到的事，而今年夏天的遠行完全是為了我自己。

A while ago, on my trip to Japan, I couldn't afford to write any postcard because I was eager only to heal the trauma I've suffered at work during the past half year. It takes tons of enthusiasm to send a greeting to friends, and that is possible merely when I am full of vibes. As a matter of fact, I took the trip this summer completely for myself.

我們在松山市的道後溫泉街道上閒晃之際，我無意間發現了一美術館的指標，就算它的規模小至導覽書隻字為提，我還是想一探究竟。我們於正午時分太陽高掛，在無人的巷弄裡摸索，seki美術館就隱身於一棟棟樸實的民宅中，但是裡面高雅的設計和平靜人心的氛圍，可又是另一片天地，儘管整棟房子只有兩名館員和我們兩名訪客，我們可是走到哪，館員便親切地幫我們開老式的音樂鐘及影片操作。更值得一提的是，館內的畫和我們造訪過同樣規模的美術館相比，可是在水準之上。院子裡還有小小的造景，讓我挺想在美術館裡打發一整個下午。

While we were strolling on the streets in Odogo, I accidentally found the sign that points to an art museum. Even though it's so small in size that the tour guidebook doesn't mention any word about it, my curiosity was aroused. We wandered at noon in the quiet neighborhood. When we were about to give up, we found Seki Museum right there, hiding among other houses for residential use. However, inside, it is so amazing, whether in terms of the decoration or the atmosphere. There were only two ladies working in the whole building, and two visitors, a.k.a. my mom and I. But their service was more than perfect. The ladies took care to turn on the music clock and DVD player for us at the right time. What was more important, the paintings were far better in quality compared with those in some other museums we had visited on the same trip. There is even a tiny yet lovely yard specially designed so that when visitors look out from the room, they feel calm and relaxed. I have to say that it wouldn't be a bad idea to spend the whole afternoon there.

要離去之前，我還是忍不住在櫃檯買了張明信片，想為這趟低調的旅行留一點紀錄，沒想到館員見我如此喜歡藝術，居然挑了好幾張，讓我選一張當作美術館送給外來客的伴手禮，我驚訝地說不出話來，不過我一眼就看上之前很有感覺的一副作品，道謝之後便決定，把這張充滿善意的明信片寄給自己。

Before we left, I couldn't help but buy a postcard as the souvenir of this low-key trip. One of the ladies, detecting my love for art, offered to give me one for free. I was so moved that I could only wow with smiles all over my face. I went for a postcard with one painting that impressed me at first sight. After thanking her, I decided to send the postcard of good will to myself.

說這張明信片救了我似乎太誇張，但是那肯定是我對日本民族的深刻印象〈去年在義大利連要個裝明信片的塑膠袋都得付錢呢。〉如果你還有些熱情可以在這個夏天發揮，有個自行創作明信片的好機會，Benq的明信片生活美學比賽進入最後倒數17天，儘管時間如此有限，請不要放棄為自己或為他人寄幾張明信片。

It would be an exaggeration to say that this postcard saved me, but it certainly will remind me again and again how kind Japanese people can be. (Well, last year, when we were in Italy, we were requested to pay even for the small and thin plastic bag for the postcards.) If you still have some passion this summer, there is a good chance for you to make your customized postcards. There are still 17 days left before the deadline for Benq postcard contest. Even with so little time, don't give up the chance to send yourself or your beloved ones some postcards.

Benq明信片生活美學比賽網址：

Link to Benq postcard contest:

http://www.benqfoundation.org/benq-award/

Drifting on the sea / 漂流的旅行

最近收到如雪花般的訊息，來自自去年開始合作的線上藝術家，原來我們手繪的札記環遊世界的途中，就這麼和大家失去了聯絡，經由熱心的組長聯繫，這些小鴨們正安然地在美國某位藝術家的家中休息。雖然每個人貢獻的頁數不超過六頁，但想到如果這世界上唯一的一本書最後不知下落，多少還是會感嘆：「殘念啊！」

Lately I've received tons of email from those online artists I worked with last year. Our collaborative journal book was missing on its journey around the world. After Rebekah's search, the ducks are actually taking a break somewhere in the U.S. Though everyone contributes no more than six pages, I would lament if the one and only book got lost.

其實艾瑞‧卡爾寫「10隻橡皮小鴨」的靈感便來自1992年，有艘載著各式各樣玩具的貨船翻覆至海中，於是這些玩具，包括鴨子，便展開了海上之旅，最後有些進入大西洋，並且被發現。看來鴨子若沒有行遍萬里路，和其他同儕相較之下不免遜色，與其擔心，不如讓小鴨們玩得盡興，我們就好好等著牠們一路累積下來的故事吧！

In fact, Eric Carle's inspiration for the book 10 Little Rubber Ducks originated from a piece of news in 1992. A ship with all kinds of toys, including rubber ducks and other bathtub toys fell overboard and washed up on shores all around the world. It looks like if ducks do not have the experience of traveling to every corner in the world, they will not deserve the name of "ducks." As for us, we should kick back and wait for their return and all the adventures they've met with on the way.

去年我為小鴨寫了個以慶生為主題的插曲，咪咪的寵物鴨要過生日了，她想了各種別出心裁的慶祝方式，有參加游泳大賽、大啖北京烤鴨，不過最後還是決定邀請來自各國的鴨子朋友來開生日派對。從這些畫裡看到一年多前的自己，還真是有些懷念呢！

Last year I wrote a short story based on birthday celebration for the ducks. The birthday of Mimi's pet, Duckiki is coming up. She thinks up many "special" ideas, like taking part in the duck swim meet and feasting on Peking duck. In the end, she decides to invite the duck friends from other countries for a lovely party. In these pictures, I get to see what I was like a year ago. To be honest, I kind of miss my old self!

Beautiful summer nights / 美麗的夏夜

大概是上帝知道我這個夏天很萎靡，便讓我接連著兩個週末都過著文藝美少女的生活，直到這一兩個星期，我才有每年夏天那種因為忙於喜歡的事物而欲罷不能的感覺。

God probably knew that I had been kind of downbeat this summer, so I was invited to participate in some arts gatherings during the past two weekends. Finally, I started to recall how wonderful it was to be busy with something I was crazy about and how I had to go on and on.

上個週末隨小蕙的紀錄片聯展下高雄，在可愛的高雄電影圖書館，和一群陌生的文藝愛好者，欣賞半年前一群上紀錄片研習課的老師完成的作品。現場的觀眾人數不多，但是大家對於片中的主題都深有感觸，雖然這些片都是老師們的第一次，質樸的技巧不掩情感的真摯。想到當初每一個人都為了單一的目標堅持到底的精神，怎麼說我都很感動。

Last weekend I went down to Kaohsiung with Huei for her documentary exhibition. In the lovely museum of films, we watched the documentaries made half a year ago by a group of teachers who had attended a film workshop. There weren't many viewers, but the themes spoke to everyone. It was a new experience for all the teachers, but the sincere feeling outshone their primitive skills. I was very touched on thinking how everyone had persisted for one single goal.

這個週末，旅居法國的Lilou回台灣來，受到大辣出版社的邀請，在誠品信義館舉辦一場去法國學漫畫的演講會。說到和Lilou的相識，其實是因為去年夏天買了一堆大辣出版的歐漫書籍，有些是經由Lilou翻譯，我便對她有了印象，好巧不巧，去年底的中時部落格大賽她也參加了，想不到今年還有機會親眼參加她的演講。

This weekend, Lilou, who now dwells in France, was invited by Dala Publisher to give a speech on studying Bandes Desinees in France. Speaking of my encounter with her, I first got to know her name in the books translated by her last summer. She also took part in the blog contest held by Chinatimes at the end of 2006. It was amazing that I had a chance to see her in person this year.

本來我對於信義誠品的巨大有些卻步，我喜歡有家庭味的小書店，所以每年去誠品的次數屈指可數，不過昨天的演講很小型，在推理館舉行，我們在有著木質地板的空間裡，被滿滿的書籍環繞著，這是我第一次參加書店裡的演講會，是很令人欣喜的經驗。因為是第一次和Lilou見面，心想等演講完再和她相認，雖然她在演講之中並不知道我有沒有出現，居然還提到我，我像小孩般又感動又開心，很久沒有被這樣鼓勵了。

I hadn't visited Eslite Bookstore, Hsin-y branch often because of its gigantic size. I go more for smaller bookstores, so I had had some doubts before yesterday evening. However, the speech yesterday was on a mini-scale, held in the detective novel room. In the room with wooden floor, we were surrounded by tons and tons of books. This was my first time going to a speech in a bookstore, and I have to say it was very delightful. I planned to go to Lilou after the talk, but she mentioned my name during the speech even thought she wasn't sure if I was there. Like a child, I was very very excited and moved. I hadn't been encouraged like that for a long time in art.

Lilou除了聊有關在法國讀漫畫的經驗，也不斷地告訴大家，藝術是讓大家認識台灣的另一種管道，她不但自己一直在這個領域耕耘，也相信台灣有許多有潛力的人才。我則看到一個很努力推動夢想的人，即使不是最具影響力的人物，但是她是充滿光芒的。連坐在我身旁的胖小弟都從頭到尾乖乖地把演講聽完了。

Lilou not only talked about her own experiences of studying B.D. in France but also telling us that art is a very efficient means of promoting Taiwanese culture. She has been working hard in this field and also believes that there are many people with potential in Taiwan. I saw in her a soul going all out for her belief. She might not be the most influential person, but she is definitely full of light. Even the little fat boy next to me sat through the whole speech!

演講後在和Lilou小聊的過程中，又和前一陣子剛做完畢業作的灰色獸相認，她帶著唯一一本付梓的作品，大家紛紛露出讚嘆的眼光，希望就在不久的將來，她能找到出版社，讓我們每一個人都能擁有她的作品，甚至在現場便趕緊把她推向出版社主編呢！

After the speech, I had a very short chat with Lilou and then came forward another young artist—Grey Monster, who had just finished her book for graduation from college. She had with her the only printed book, and everyone wowed at its quality. We prayed hard that she would find a publisher soon and then we each of us would own a copy of her book. We even pushed her forward to the editor present!

和Lilou道別之後，我和灰色獸繞出一間又一間的書屋，我說，這些書真叫人興奮，不過我最希望的當然是，有一天印著我名字的書就擺在上頭，她心有所感的同意，然後我們一路走到車站，一路討論夢想，我還可以想像有一天她去法國唸書的遠景。

Upon saying goodbye to Lilou, Gray Monster and I walked out of rooms and rooms of books. I said, I was so excited to see these books, but I dreamed of seeing one with my name on it one day. She nodded hard at my words. On our way to the metro station, we chatted about our art dreams, and I even imagined her going to France for further studies one day.

美麗的夏夜裡，我如此深刻地記起自己對很多人許過，要繼續畫畫的承諾，更重要的是，這是我對自己的期待和要求。還好，我的身邊有這麼多還有夢想的人。

At beautiful summer nights, I thought of the promise I had made to so many people, that is, I have to go on painting. What's more important, it's what I expect of myself. Fortunately, there are still around me so many people who dream.

Lilou的歐漫介紹網站是：

The link to Lilou's introduction on European Bandes Dessinees:

http://mypaper.pchome.com.tw/news/lilou

Lilou的漫畫手札網站是：

The link to Lilou's works:

http://blog.roodo.com/lilou/

灰色獸的作品介紹：

The link to Gray Monster's works:

http://www.heyshow.com/browsing/users.asp?id=8163

Romance in the air / 曖昧

升高三的暑假，世界被瓜分成兩個極端，外頭精力過盛的大太陽好像都不需要休息似的，但是開了空調的教室裡，如黑色深海，浮游生物懶懶地、疲累地，使勁要抓住隨水波逐流的考卷，卻始終有種力不從心的感嘆。

During the summer break before the 12th grade, the world is divided into two halves. The hyper sun outside seems to have endless energy. It burns on and on and on. But the air-conditioned classroom is the deep dark sea. The sea animals are lacking in drives and vibes. They try hard to grab the test papers carried by the sea waves. Yet the flesh is so weak...

終於，撐到週五，十二點的鐘聲響了，不顧外面熊熊燃燒的陽光，孩子們像被釋放的獄囚，一哄而散，就算冒著被曬黑的天大危險，怎麼樣都要出去晃一圈。有些冷清的教室裡，剩下帶便當和等著訂餐的女孩。待我再回過神，視線裡突然多了名男性，啊，是年輕貌美的代課老師。此時，我的身邊圍上了幾張嘴，竊竊私語關於老師的可愛和同學的迷戀。

Finally, thank God it's Friday. When the bell for the noon break rings, kids rush out like prisoners that have been kept in jail for ages, regardless of the blazing sun. Even at the risk of getting a tan, they have to go out to take a breath. In the quiet classroom are girls with lunch boxes and those waiting for the delivery. When I raise my head again, there is a man in my sight. Ah, it's the young and beautiful substitute teacher. At this time, I am suddenly surrounded by some chattering mouths, introducing to me the teacher's charm and the girls' crush.

之後一分鐘發生的美麗以慢動作進行，靦腆的老師就要離開，女孩大方地邀請他留在教室用餐，他拉著門努力地想一想，不出幾秒，又走了進來，女孩的開心沒有說出來，可是那美好的曖昧在空氣裡流轉著，瞬時深海變成色彩柔和的花田。

What happens afterward takes place in slow motion. The shy teacher is about to leave, but girls invite him to stay for lunch. He holds onto the doorknob, thinking hard. Within seconds, he comes in. Girls do not scream or shout, but the fragrance of romance spreads in the air. Within a second, the deep sea becomes fields of flowers of pastel colors.

步出教室之前，我用力吸一大口空氣，再離去。

Before leaving the classroom, I take a deep, hard breath.

farewell trip / 道別的旅行

你要離開了，我們決定如往常，一同去旅行。旅途裡，炙熱的陽光白花花的，身邊的年輕人著小可愛和熱褲，無止境地擺著可愛的姿勢，相機聲如海浪般，一波接著一波，正盛的青春在我們耳邊嘩啦嘩啦地響著。我們則老僧入定地坐在有點搖晃的渡輪上，感受著周圍的、自己的人生。累了，就坐在露天的亭子裡打盹，旁邊有躲雨的歐吉桑作伴，你說，他眼邊的魚尾紋像盛開過的桃花，我倒覺得那線條漂亮到不行，呼應著我們視線正前方的海灣波浪。

You are about to leave. We decide to go on a trip together, as usual. On our way, the sweltering sun shines with dazzling light. Young people around us wear nothing but tanks and shorts, posing endlessly for cameras that never stop clicking. Like waves of seawater, the powerful beats of blooming youth thunder in our ears. We sit quiet and calm on the slightly swaying ferry, breathing in the air that smells of air-conditioning, sweat and salt. When tired, we take a nap in the open-air pavilion nearby, accompanied by an old man who seeks for shelter from the shower. You make a comment on the wrinkles around his eyes and compare them to flowers in blossom. I am impressed by the beautiful lines. They echo to the bay waves right in front of us.

一整天的熱氣，如我無法定義的情緒，終於在下過雨的傍晚沉澱。我們在漸褪的天色裡漫步，穿過中山大學神秘的隧道，發現藏在後頭的西子灣，發現那片桃花源時，我才感覺，一切就快要有出口。

The heat lasts for a whole day. Finally, it cools down in the evening after the rain. So does my indefinable feeling. When the color of the sky isn't so blinding, we take a stroll. After passing through the mysterious tunnel that leads to Chung-shan University, we discover Shi-tze Bay that lies behind it. On seeing the out-of-the-world sight, I realize, I will find answers to all soon.

我們拿出相機，朝著遠方的夕陽，無法克制地按著快門，我貪婪地想留住那一刻，可是怎麼拍都不夠，於是我又把鏡頭對著周圍戲水的人群，如此一來，等以後我回想這趟旅行時，鮮明的記憶中，我會記得圖像裡每件人事物的位置、顏色、甚至他們各自的心情。我轉過頭，看看你，還在身旁，努力地捕捉別人看不到的鏡頭，那就是你的模樣。

We take out the cameras, aim at the sunset in the distance. We can't help but click the button non-stop. I am desperate to freeze that moment, but no matter how many photos I take, they are never enough. I then focus at people playing in water around me. In this way, when I look back on this trip, I will remember clearly the positions of everyone and everything, even their colors and moods. I turn to you. You are still there, trying to capture tiny details that others are not aware of. That is how you are in my memory.

夕陽漸落，我們一邊持續紀錄天黑之前的光亮，一邊回憶著上次旅行的片段，西子灣和巴里島的海灘是那麼相像，每趟共同的旅行也如此熟悉，但是我們的人生不停向前進，今天和昨天的距離已經很遠，而明天和今天會更遠，我會想念你，不過我了解，每個人都有自己的人生，我多麼喜歡你那邁開步伐的勇氣。

The sun lowers. We keep recording the bright moments before the dark and recall the fragments of our last trip. The beaches of Shi-tze Bay and Bali Island are so alike. Every trip we take together feels so familiar, yet we move on regardless of the beauty of the past. I've already forgot many things that took place yesterday, not to mention the distance between today and tomorrow. I will miss you, but in the meanwhile, I understand that each of us has our own plans for life. And I am so proud of your confident stride.

然後在不知幾點幾分時，太陽就撲通地掉進海中，正要把相機收起來之際，轉過身，另一面的月亮已就位。你大辣辣地、沒有一點離情地說，很快我們又會見面了，我想應該是吧。

At a certain moment, the sun drops without any sound into the sea. When I am to put away my camera, the moon is already on the other side. You grin without any nostalgia, saying that we will see each other soon. I think so too.

我們在紫藍的夜色裡，走向下一站。離開了，我才猛然想起，我們的相機裡，沒有一張合照，但是，我不介意。

In the violet nightfall, we head for the next destination. After you leave, it strikes me that there is not even one picture we took together in our cameras. Well, that's fine...

trips within trips / 旅行裡的旅行

圖為文中介紹的插畫家Nathalie Lete的舊作─巴黎之吻，取自於Nathalie的網站

In the picture is the book Bon Baiser de Paris by Nathalie Lete, the artist introduced in the article / picture taken from Nathalie's website

這幾年去旅行的途中，逛書店成為必備的行程之一，但是一切都不在計畫當中，我總是晃啊晃的，若察覺到方圓3公尺附近有書店或文具店，就不能自已地朝那方向飛奔而去，就是在旅行，走進書店和走出書店的世界又不一樣了，所以在國外的書店之旅，是旅行中的旅行。

In recent years, visiting bookstores has become part of my itineraries when traveling. But it is not planned in advance. Often I find bookstores by accident on my way to a certain destination. Once I spot any of them, I can't help but be drawn in like a magnet to the iron. The world I see before and after going bookstores can be so different that it is not exaggerating to compare trips to bookstores abroad to "trips within trips."

今年夏天的日本之旅，因為許多外在和人為因素，我開始學著放掉計畫好的行程，本來出發之前認為是非去不可的地方，遇到天災或身體狀況不配合，我也可以接受在旅館裡寫札記或到附近的書店打發一整個傍晚，這樣一來心理和生理反而有了可以紓解壓力的窗口，我和遊伴也有了呼吸的空間。

On my trip to Japan this summer, I learned how to give up the itineraries prepared ahead of time because of many external and internal factors. There were some scenic spots I regarded as "must-go" before the trip, but it takes pleasant weather and good physical condition to have a safe and nice trip. Now I can live with spending an evening in the hotel room writing journals or hanging out in a bookstore nearby. In this way, the mental and physical pressure can be relieved, and my companion and I can breathe without having to being stuck together 24/7.

旅行中第一間認真駐足的書店是高松市大商店街裡的宮脇書店，第一眼還無法找到我鍾愛的圖文書和童書，但是日本人大量使用手繪圖片作為書封面，讓我印象深刻。在走遍文史理工考試準備書區之後，我無意間來到婦女書籍區，主題似乎圍繞著戀愛、結婚、家庭，打開每一本書幾乎都是文配圖或圖配文，日常生活中看到的是拘謹小心的日本人，但是這些圖畫充滿了童稚的創意和可愛，我慶幸自己的新發現，讓我看到日本民族的多面相。走出書店時，我的腳步變得輕盈，看周遭人事物的眼光又不一樣。

The first bookstore where I took my time to read on the trip is Miyawaki Bookstore in the big shopping district in Takamatsu city. I couldn't locate my favorite illustrated or children's book area at first sight, but I was impressed with Japanese' preference for using illustrated book covers. After browsing through shelves of books on how to prepare for exams in all fields, I was attracted by books centering on the topics about love, marriage and family. Maybe they are targeted basically for women, so I found large numbers of pictures and illustrations in many books. The Japanese I encountered gave me the impression of being discreet and self-disciplined, but in these pictures, I saw the childlike innocence and creativity. I am glad my new discovery showed me different sides of Japanese people. I walked out of the bookstore at a light pace. The orderly and low-keyed world I envisioned in my mind for Japanese took on some colors.

印象最深刻的書店是德島市車站旁SOGO樓上的紀伊屋國，那天有點颱風要來襲的意味，我和媽咪在陰暗的傍晚在明亮的八樓書店打發時間，書店裡有下班的上班族、小學生等等，我一路瀏覽過五花八門的雜誌，有關於東京生活的東京人期刊，有各類旅行的雜誌，甚至有針對繪本討論的crayonhouse ehon school，我不禁又血脈噴張起來。童書區雖不大，但是對我來說每一本都是新書，我用力抄下喜歡的書名，計畫在旅行的最後一天把書購齊。那天傍晚步出書店時，感覺輕飄飄的，因為旅行因此又多了個目標，令我心情大好的目標。

I was most impressed with the visit to Kinokuniya on the 8th floor of Sogo near the train station of Tokushima city. That day, we could smell the threat of the No. 4 Typhoon in the air, so my mom and I decided to spend the cloudy evening in the well-lit bookstore. There were people who just got off work, students who searched hard for books, etc. The variety of magazines really amazed me. Tokyo jin is about life in Tokyo. One can find all kinds of magazines on traveling. There is even a periodical crayonhouse ehon school devoted to the discussion on illustrated books. I felt my adrenaline speeding up after a long interval or dormancy. The area for children's books isn't daunting in size, but hey, every book was new for me. I copied the titles of those that captured my attention, planning to buy them all on the last day of my trip. When I left, I felt so light because I had one more goal, a goal that took me to seventh heaven.

於是旅途中只要有機會去到書店，我想擁有的書目不停增加，我沒有什麼野心，擁有這些書對我來說就等於擁有全世界。於是當我們最後購齊了親朋好友的紀念品之後，媽媽問我對於那些美麗的衣裳有沒有興趣，我直嚷嚷書店才是我最想去的地方。我們從四國松山市大街的大明書店找到本州大阪新齋橋商店街的雅典書店，除了找到我看好的書之外，又有了個新發現。雅典書店在一樓特地開闢一小塊空間，主題是巴黎，上頭陳列著日本出版社和巴黎人的合作書籍，有的書只是集結20名巴黎在地人的訪談，有的書則拜訪巴黎戀人的公寓等等，我個人認為這些應該都是日本人對於巴黎嚮往之下的產物，不過書籍做得很精美，我無法抗拒地從其中選了一本 A to Z de Nathalie Lete，納塔莉是住在巴黎的藝術家，她的作品多采多姿，反正一本書可以讓我從大阪飛到巴黎，何樂而不為呢？

I didn't give up any opportunity to go to bookstores. The books I would like to have kept increasing in number. I was not ambitious. Owning these books meant having the whole world for me. After we got all the souvenirs for friends and family members, my mom asked me if I was interested in beautiful clothes. I thought of nothing but the books. We made our way from one local bookstore in Matsuyama city in Shikoku to Athens Bookstore in the Shinsaibashi shopping area in Osaka in Honshu. In the process I found something intriguing again. In Athens Bookstore, a shelf is reserved for books on Paris. They are mostly products designed by Japanese publishers with interviews of Parisians, Parisian lovers and their apartments, and what not. Personally, they reflect how crazy Japanese are about French or European culture. The contents didn't deprive me of my rationality, but I have to admit that the designs of the books are enticing. I chose one titled A to Z de Nathalie Lete, an artist living in Paris. Her artworks are extremely colorful. Well, merely a book can take me from Osaka to Paris. I didn't see any harm in buying it.

在書店裡，我看到了日本人的夢想 〈夢想之書也琳瑯滿目〉，日本人的愛旅行，日本人的創意，還有各種反映現實人生的考試書和實用手冊，當我的日本筆友被遺忘在年少的過往歲月，起碼有書店讓我可以多了解一下這個和我們那麼相似又那麼不同的民族，也讓我去到他們的內心世界一遊。

I got to see Japanese people's dreams (many books on this subject are available), their love for traveling, their creativity and all kinds of books and manuals that present how competitive the real life can be. Since all my Japanese pals were left in oblivion a long time ago, at least I still have bookstores to turn to and gain a better understanding of the race that is so similar to and so different from us. I also won a chance to travel to their inner worlds.

納塔莉的網站是：

Nathalie's website is:

http://www.nathalie-lete.com/index.php

this summer / 今年夏天該這樣過

森 友治 攝影

photo by Mori Yuji

今天是度假後上課的第一天，學生問：「老師，日本好玩嗎？」我想了想，發現這次旅行不太像往常，我沒有很誇張或很好笑的故事可以述說，但是我的札記本寫得滿滿的，那些文字用說的，似乎太膚淺，而且好像要有點年紀才能懂。因為經驗太滿了，我目前只能把紀錄擺在一邊，過些時間再回來整理。

Today is the first day after the short summer break. Girls asked, "Was the trip to Japan fun?" I gave some thought to the question, then it hit me that this trip was not quite like those I had taken before. There is no exaggerating or hilarious story to tell, but my journal book was full. What is verbally said seems too shallow, and only people of my age or even older can understand my feeling. I've seen too many things, but for the time being I have to put the records away. A little distance in time will do me some good.

遠離我狹隘的生活，去了日本，遇到許多日本人，買了好些日本人的書，此時的心情雲淡風輕，回頭看幾個星期前的人生像場鬧劇，我又準備要站起來了。這次很幸運地發現森 友治的新書，他的照片令我愛不釋手，我要過濾掉那些不重要的片段，把他小女兒的微笑放在心裡，穩穩地大步向前。今年的夏天還有時間成就一番作為。

To get away from my narrow life, I went to Japan, ran into many Japanese and bought some Japanese books. I feel quite light at this moment. My life a few weeks ago was nothing but a farce. I am ready to get up again. I was more than lucky to have found Mori Yuji's new book. I take so much delight in watching the photos he took. This summer, I am going to put aside those unimportant fragments and bear in my heart only the warm and innocent smile of Mr. Mori's daughter. I will stride forth at a much more steady pace this time.

森 友治的網站：

Link to Mori Yuji's website:

http://www.dacafe.cc/

the meaning of traveling / 旅行的意義

圖攝於日本小豆島二十四瞳之映畫村

photo taken in the movie village of 24 eyes, Shoudoshima, Japan

這個學年過了之後，心被鎖在教室裡的某個角落，我不知怎麼地，失去過往的怡然自得，陷入庸人自擾的泥沼裡，最後連想要爬出來的慾望都沿路遺失了。於是當同事嚷嚷著年度旅行的計畫時，我只是很安靜地處理工作上的瑣事，一副事不關己，連自己都搞不清楚究竟是低調還是冷漠。

After this school year, I had a feeling that my heart was locked somewhere in the classroom. Somehow I lost my poise along the way, trapped in self-worry. I even couldn't find the desire to get out. So when my colleagues talked about their annual travel plans with excitement, I buried myself in the trifles at work quietly, as if I didn't plan to go anywhere. I couldn't understand if I was being low-key or indifferent.

圖攝於高知 Los Hotel

photo taken at Los Hotel, Kochi, Japan

「去旅行真的會不同嗎？」我自問，還好，我還是帶著小小的期望去了四國。雖然地點選的冷門，所到之處旅客寥寥無幾，今年的年度旅行看起來就像以往一樣，我無法避免地搭錯車、走錯路、甚至還遇到颱風來襲，所有可以預期和預期以外的偶發事件都發生了，但是這些經歷都讓我跳脫了日常生活的窠臼，我在當地的上班族臉上看到自己的倦容，在別人的生活裡看到自己的擔憂和害怕是多麼的沒有意義，以及他們認真對待每一天的態度，在大自然的美麗中看到生命的力量，還有在我們小小的和室房間，從窗子朝外看到暴風雨過後的藍天。

"Would traveling make any difference?" I asked myself. Well, I still went on the trip planned in advance to Shikoku, Japan. Different from the past, I chose a low-profile destination where only a handful of tourists could be seen. Yet like before, I couldn't help taking wrong buses, getting lost. We even bumped into a typhoon. Our trip was enriched by what could and could not be expected. They might not always be pleasant, but these experiences took me out of the narrow frame of the reality. I saw myself on the tired look of the office workers. By traveling I took a glimpse into others' lives, so touched by their serious attitude toward life. I also realized how pointless my fear and worries were. I witnessed the strength of life in the beautiful nature. Out of the window in our small Japanese room, I saw the blue sky after the storm.

兩個星期過後，我看到新的自己，不是百分之百的勇敢，但是不想逃避，也不想改變自己敷衍了事，只想把持我的信仰，找到答案。你問我旅行的意義為何，我不再用語言敘述了，如果你夠敏感，從我身上你就可以找到端倪。

Two weeks later, I saw a brand-new me. I am not 100% brave, but I do not want to run away anymore. Nor will I change myself to cater to others. I want to hold onto my beliefs and find the answers I am looking for. You asked me the meaning of traveling. Languages seem extra. If you are sensitive enough, you'll find them in me.

CHANGE / 改變

在年紀很小時，我就知道自己是個小眾的人，我不擅長也不喜歡和一大群人相處，有時幾乎近於自閉，但是和我熟悉的朋友都了解，我對人和人之間的互動很敏感，也很容易受人的情緒影響，所以我的故事主題都以人為主，去旅行也不放過觀察陌生人，看電影也絕不看人以外主演的作品，我一直以為自己會這樣走下去。

Since I was little, I've known that I don't go for crowds. I am not fond of nor good at being with a large group of people. Sometimes I am nearly autistic. But people who know me well are aware of the detail that I am very sensitive to the interaction among individuals. I am also easily influenced by people's feeling. That is why practically all of my stories centered around humankind. I was constantly observing strangers when traveling. I never watched films without any real human actors. I thought I wouldn't change all my life.

最近對人很失望，我對人的大小惡心理都有個譜，但是卻沒有想到親身遇到時，感覺真的很糟，積極陽光如我，也因此有些心灰意冷，暫時我不想看那些黑暗。

Lately I've been very disappointed with mankind. I heard about all kinds of human vices and believed that I was always ready for the worst. But hell no, they are so much worse when you are confronted by them. Optimistic as I am, I can't but kind of despair. For the moment, I refuse to look at the dark and evil in the face.

以前我不喜歡小動物，看到狗便花容失色，現在我倒覺得牠們坦白直率地可愛，目前我的最愛Shorty，看到新朋友，忍不住熱情地衝向前去，又親又舔的，把對主人的記憶拋到九霄雲外，不過看著主人要離開時，又很不要臉低著頭的跟在屁股後，那般善變真是明白啊！但是當牠不顧一切地撒起嬌來，牠的不守規矩也被主人拋到九霄雲外，和狗相處，頭腦的神經沒必要繞一大圈，舒服又自在。

I didn't like little animals. I would scream and run when seeing dogs when I was a kid. Now I find their frankness to be quite adorable. My current favorite, Shorty, never leaves a stranger without a stain of saliva on his/ her arm. It is so passionate about new people that I doubt if it still remembers who its owners are. Yet when the latter are about to go, Shorty does not forget to follow them, shamelessly with its head lowered. Its fickleness is so direct and obvious. On the other hand, the owners do not hesitate to forgive it when Shorty falls all over them and asks for love like sweet babies. Being in the company of a dog, one does not have to rack his brain. Life is so easy and carefree.

等我年紀大了，看透了人的爛把戲，我也要養一條狗，過著我的簡單生活，別人看到我們會說：「啊，那個帥氣的單身女郎和她的愛狗‧‧‧」

When I get so old and see through all the dirty tricks of human beings, I want to raise a dog and live my simple life away from all that sucks. Others will remember us as the dashing-single-girl-and-the-dog pair…

swimming / 夏泳