Inside Taiwan on a Whirlwind Tour

It's zero degrees outside and the perfect day to catch up on some rest and reflection. I've just returned from two weeks touring Taiwan, alongside a thousand people from around the world who gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Johnson Health Tech.

My best work is often found between the couch cushions of a larger journey. I've found that having some soft boundaries brings the mental focus I need...knowing that I have limited time in a place really gets the creative gears churning.

Part of my artistic journey is accepting that I rarely get perfectly focused time to just do art.

The best, and most difficult, decision I made was to leave my new Hasselblad medium-format camera back in Holliston. When touring with a group to visit many places in a foreign country, it really pays to travel light with the camera you're most comfortable with.

But to answer the question you may be asking...yes the trip was completely worth it and I'm grateful to have had a tour service for my first adventure in Asia.

Here are just a few of my photos and experiences:

Buddhism at Large

The Chung Tai Chan monastery is currently the tallest Buddhist temple and one of the largest in the world. The docents who led our tour are some of the smallest, most wizened women in the Buddhist world. They also exhibit fearsome speed and strength as guardians of the monastery's no photography rule, which applies to much of the interior.

I stepped off the tour bus and onto a wide, sunlit walkway meandering around Zen gardens of water, small pines, and grey stone lanterns. As a photographer, I arrived knowing how to capture light on (digital) film. And...I quickly began to question whether it's even possible to capture enlightenment on film.

In "The Great Enlightenment Hall" a Buddha rides with white marble serenity atop a lion who stands, in contrast, with proud ferocity. They are framed by a broad ring of cold light, the silhouette of a full moon.

More towering stone halls, spaces aptly named "Great Majesty Hall" and "Great Magnificence Hall," ascend in an architectural pilgrimage, opening into a narrow spire from which the entire valley and surrounding mountains may be seen through a wall of glass. In the center of this spire, layers of teak pagoda enshrine humanity's hope for good health.

If you are curious, there are plenty of photos on the Web of the monastery interior. And some very disappointing images in the little brochure you receive when you exit. The thick paperback of teachings, seemingly designed for your nightstand, is much more interesting.

Sometimes a few words are worth a thousand pictures.

Hot Springs & Fish Sticks

Close to the coast and known for its hot springs, Jaioxi is a smaller town in the Yilan province. And like many cities I visited, as soon as the sun goes down people emerge onto the streets (often via motorized scooter or moped) to enjoy bustling markets and nightlife.

Jaioxi has an active night market where you can find almost anything roasting on a stick. Pizza is remarkably difficult to find, but you can enjoy the public hot springs 24/7, or just wade knee-deep into communal hot water pools inhabited by feet-nibbling fish.

I do not believe the fish pictured above are of the foot-nibbling kind. And no, I did not try these "fish sticks." I did have an in-room hot spring at my hotel that I enjoyed immensely.

Do I have anything photographically profound to share about this experience? Not really. There are plenty of curiosities to take pictures of (like fish on a stick...or the many varieties of eggs) but I can't capture the smells of the market...which really stand out. And I would need more time to just be in the area for street photography.

Take the Elevator

I visited Taipei 101 just one week before Alex Hummel climbed it (free-solo style). He really missed out...the elevator is the fastest in the world (and boasts a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records). And inside the upper floors you can see the huge, gold sphere (also called a tuned damper) that stabilizes the building in high winds and earthquakes.

On the Sunday morning I visited with two other pirates from my tour (we skipped the scheduled lunch), the weather was overcast and atmospheric. I have a few decent pictures, but it was more interesting to watch the Netflix crew hang ropes just outside the window.

My Next Journey is Closer to Home

A few weeks (and the jetlag) have now passed since my return. At the beginning of this newsletter, I mentioned how having a larger journey, or purpose, brings me more artistic focus than the actual camera I use.

My next photographic journey will explore people engaged in various crafts. I have a few enticing leads...folks making things from rope...tattoo artistry...lutherie (the craft of repairing guitars and other stringed instruments).

Send me your ideas...and ideally people you want to see lost in the enjoyment of their archaic craft. My email is weissman.jesse@gmail.com or you can just reply to this newsletter.

One last thing...

I've spent some time with that little blue book of teachings from the monastery. Paging through it when I first wake up, usually around 6am or 7, has really helped to calm the mind. Here's bit I keep returning to:

"Any suffering or affliction, when recognized and clearly observed with wisdom, can be converted into happiness, freedom, and serenity. The difference between affliction and joy is but a single turn of thought."

"Buddhist Dharma Words by Grand Master Weichueh." July 2025. Page 91.

Be well...Stay warm...

Jesse Weissman

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