Saturday Trip to Sandimen and Meinong

On July 21, the American teachers traveled on a school bus with the teaching assistants, Helen Lee, Jerry and Ellie Fussell, and Mr. Shih to the Sandimen Artistic Village in the mountainous area of Pingtung County.  First, they stopped at the Dragonfly Bead Art Studio to try their creative talents at glass bead making and glazing. They were instructed by native aboriginal women who helped them select from designs designated for each month of the year. 

The women assisted them with each step, including heating the glass, refining and decorating the bead shape, and adding color designs to the glass surface.  They also put the final smoothing touches on each creation.  Some made a bead bracelet and others made a necklace. They were very proud of the finished product!

                               

Next, the group went to the nearby Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Culture Park.  They arrived just in time to attend a dance and folk song performance by members of several native aboriginal tribes. Many native tribes inhabit the island of Taiwan, including the Amis, Yami, Paiwan, Truku, Thao, Rukai, and Puyama tribes.  The Amis is the largest aboriginal tribe in Taiwan, while the Paiwan tribe is known for producing the greatest number of native handicrafts.  The colorful costumes and beautiful dance rituals made their performance so enjoyable!

 

And of course, the student teachers had to test out the strength of a very old, but very sturdy, suspension bridge with a breathtaking view!