The Splendid Port of Kaohsiung

In order to complete the project of the Cyberfair, we did field surveys in Kaohsiung Harbor and the stores in its neighborhood, gathered the locals’ viewpoints, and conducted an interview with the director-general of the Kaohsiung Harbor Bureau. We are really grateful for them for their help and support.

To Visit The Kaohsiung Harbor Bureau

When we called on the Kaohsiung Harbor Bureau for the first time, we were a little bit worrisome because, first, we might not have prepared ourselves very well and, second, we might have been treated with a cold shoulder. Yet, we were warmly greeted as soon as we met the enthusiastic staff members of the Bureau. We were moved by the warm welcome from not only the receptionists but also the entire staff members of the Bureau. In addition to the section manager’s detailed briefing, we were greatly rewarded from the supervisor Chen’s thorough instruction and guides.

Different from our presumptions about an office—dark and dense atmosphere, the offices of the Bureau were greened which made us refreshed. Much to our surprise, the Bureau even held the contest for greening the environment. What impressed us most was the drifting wood.

Drift-wood

Did you ever see drift-wood floating on the sea or washed ashore after a typhoon had struck Taiwan? In the eye of the common people, the drift-wood is as valueless as garbage. Yet, for the staff members of the Bureau, the wood is as precious as a rough diamond. Take a look at on the right-hand side picture. It was made entirely from the drift-wood. The wood was turned into a piece of artifact after the staff painted it. Next time when you see a drift-wood, do not throw it away as trash. While managing the Bureau’s affairs, the staff members also made efforts to do something to protect the environment. With some creativity, one can turn the mud and dust into gold.

Reflections on the field surveys

We were terribly excited and thrilled because of the “first-time” experience when we conducted the first field survey. Yet, we came across some troubles while we were doing the survey for our group, members were somewhat reluctant to take the initiative and send out the questionnaires. Once we stepped out the first move, we gradually realized that doing a survey was not as difficult or terrifying as we had imagined. Namely, we became more and more experienced and more adept in doing the interviews with the pedestrians. Sometimes, they declined our request, shook their head, or even turned us down with a cold shoulder. We did not feel discouraged about those setbacks; instead, we sent out the questionnaires with greater confidence.

We often spent three to four hours walking and doing the surveys. After such a long walk, we were all exhausted, thirsty, hungry and dizzy, and our feet ached, and yet we did not even reach our destination. The idea of giving up did come to us then. Yet, at the thought of our previous efforts having been in vain once we had given up, we would encourage ourselves to just hang in there! We had our comrades supporting one another, so there was nothing difficult and we would soon reach our goal. With this conviction, we were empowered to endure those hardships

Joyful moments were mixed with hard ones in our field surveys. We attended the opening day of Kaohsiung Lantern Festival. After finishing each one’s work, we enjoyed ourselves in the atmosphere of the Festival. We attended the Cultural Parade in the afternoon and walked with the street performers from Yang Cheng MRT Station all the way to The Urban Spotlight Arcade. Some of our group members even carried the performers’ gears and ran with everyone else. Indeed, the experiences were indescribable. We together attended the opening ceremony of the Festival in the evening and were awed and amazed by the beauty of fireworks. We took a stroll and took photos along the riverside of Love River, the True Love Ferry Pier, the Honorary Pier, and the Creative Art Fair.

Director General Hsieh of Kaoshiung Harbor Bureau speaks about the furture of Kaoshiung with fervor and assurance.

A picture with Director General Hsieh of Kaoshiung Harbor Bureau

Take a look at the picture. It was entirely made from a drift-wood. The wood was turned into a piece of artifact after it was painted by the staff.

Interviewing residents of Kaohsiung Port

Visit the head of a subdivision of Jyuejiang district

our team members

The Touching Moment

What we had gained from the doing the project was not merely the web pages and the piles high of books and references but also the touching moments and sweet memories. We have grown strong attachment to the land.

As We have mentioned in the narrative page:

Because of the Cyberfair, we have got to understand our land.

Because of the Cyberfair, we have got closer to our land.

Because of the Cyberfair, we have grown to love our land.

Truly, without the Cyberfair, We could not have discovered the beauty of this land.