Day 18: Goodbye Yilan

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 Today we said goodbye to Yilan, which also meant saying goodbye to our hosts 阿妈 and 阿公. After packing and going down to eat one final breakfast, we said our goodbyes and loaded all of our luggage onto an awaiting coach bus, ready to take us to our first dialogue of the day. 

Our first dialogue of the day was a walking tour of a number of existing projects courtesy of the Field Office Architects, most notably the Yilan Social Welfare Center and the Jin-Mei pedestrian bridge. After arriving at the welfare center, we were allowed a couple minutes to explore, with many of us finding our way to the neighboring observation tower which grants onlookers with a majestic view of the neighboring scenery such as the riverside park and pedestrian bridge, as well a view of the nearby mountain range in the background.

One of Yilan Social Welfare center's many hallways

Beyond the observation tower, a characteristic feature of the Yilan Social Welfare center was its connectivity and integration with the natural vegetation, a reoccurring theme in the day's later dialogues. From the welfare center we walked to and explored the pedestrian bridge, including the riverbanks on both sides as well as a little nook with two rowing simulation contraptions located halfway along the walkway. Once we were finished exploring, we made our way back to the coach bus for a short ride to the office of the Field Office Architects, where we got a tour of the office along with an overview of a couple of the current projects followed by a group lunch and opportunity to chat a little with the firm architects. Apparently, they actually enjoy using AutoCAD.

One of Field Office's current projects: a covered plaza/performance venue and observation tower

After lunch we once again returned to the coach bus for a ride to Yilan's Zhong Shan Park, where we promptly spent the next thirty minutes chilling on benches waiting for the routine air raid drill to come to a finish. During the drill, the streets were empty and pedestrians were off the sidewalks, with loud sirens signaling the beginning and end of the drill. When the drill was over we were able to begin our third and final dialogue of the day, which included a walking tour of the park along with a tour of the elementary school and Jimi square. 

Jack chilling during the air raid drill

Zhong Shan Park's main gate

During our walking tour we learned about all the ways in which the architects intentionally designed these structures in harmony with existing trees and other vegetation, consistent with the day's theme of ecologically-minded design. After wrapping up our walking tour, some of us made a quick stop at 7-11 before taking our luggage to Yilan station and preparing to catch our train back to Hsinchu. 

Jimi square, located directly across the road from Yilan station

One three-hour train ride later, we took taxis from the train station and arrived at the hotel in which we will be spending the next 4 days. After checking into our respective rooms, everyone split off according to their own dinner plans. Sienna, Anya, Erika, Jack, David and I walked to a noodle restaurant close to the hotel, stopping by 7-11 on the way back to buy snacks and tomorrow's breakfast. The photo below was taken in front of a school while we were walking back to the hotel.

David posing with David

It's been a fun weekend at Yilan, but now that everyone is finally settled back in Hsinchu and it's time to catch up on all the classwork due over the next few days. 

-Ryan Woo












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