(Matsu Pilgrimage)
Maybe, I need a rest. Without any fruits of hard labor, my enthusiasm dissipated over time. On a normal April day in Taiwan, a group of people, about 20 thousand, prepared for one of the top three religious events of the world listed by Discovery— Matsu Pilgrimage. This peregrination lasted 9 days across over 4 counties with the distance of 300 kilometers, approximate to 186 miles. This international event always attracts more than millions of people to come. Perhaps, this 9 days tour could brought me some, so I followed with Matsu for the journey on my feet. Away from the city and heading into the hug of country side, I felt the slow path leisure. I appreciate Nature. Wildlife suffering from urbanization, freely wandered around the fields without disturbance coming from human activities or industrialization. Migratory birds chasing the sunshine were delighted to enjoy the delicacies located in lakes or forests. They were not just eating; they were appreciating arts in term of food satisfying every salivating beak, immersing in this peaceful wild land. Forests, threatened by logging in order to build skyscrapers replacing the primate canopy across the sky, could stay in peace. This was like an ecological adventure— real experiences absent in textbooks. Smell the aroma by breeze coming through my faces, and see the leaves accompanied by glisten sunshine projecting waving shadow from silent blue sky to vital verdant grass. The splash of rivers crossed through the bedrock. Every moment on the route brought me personally sensory stimulation seared in my mind, forming not a picture but reality about recognization of Nature. The mainstream of modern society is capitalism, and rapid development makes human reluctant to look around and stay clam, however. I stick into this torrent without self-awareness to look back the small big causing my failure. In this travel, everyone had their reasons to come, and for me, I wanted the help of religious power to clam down. Meeting with a lot of people, we shared our stories and helped each other. I realize that this is not just a religious event but a bridge to connect among many people who have different backgrounds and come from different places. Donators, alone the route for the event, were hospitable. It is a gift during the tough peregrination that donators always voluntarily greeted us. They brought various supplies to pilgrims. Being hungry, we always had meals to fulfill our energy. Any food we saw, fruits, bread, pizza, burgers, noddles, dumplings, coffee, or ice cream is free. Just took it. Medical squads stood by. Temporary shelters and shower rooms were built along the route. From this event, I saw a powerful cohesion to raise every citizens’ cultural identity. This connection were displayed in term of invisible culture.
托福TOEFL ibt (4)
{{ article.title }}
