再訪日本京都市2023／莊峻華

 再訪日本京都市2023／莊峻華

今年春天，我們搭機前來日本賞櫻，京都市是一遊之地，但我們僅拜訪清水寺，然後就回大阪市酒店，十分遺憾，這次我隻身旅行，胸有成竹，也從清水寺開始，我先從福島站搭普通車到大阪站，再換快車到新大阪站，然後換新幹線快車到京都站，下車後馬上購買京都府公車一日劵，先上清水寺線，全程都是客滿，巴士是一輛接一輛，全球和日本遊客，雲湧到來，我印象中德川家康經常住清水寺，雲籌維握，處理關西兵事。我很熟練的步行上崗，拍攝相片留念，這清水寺諸廟宇，都有千年以上之歷史，秋季年輕女遊客，更不吝打扮成日本姑娘，穿著美麗多彩和服，頭㻸鮮花，非常美麗。

祇園就在清水寺緊鄰，也是鬧區，電影背景處，真是擁擠不堪，天色陰暗，有下雨之威脅，我連忙回清水道搭巴士北上，上次愛美同行，只求安全，這次我鐵定找到京都大學，地圖上標誌在清水寺北端。當然我也是不斷詢問，下車時已經在京大校區，也找到正門，我對京都帝大特別羨慕，我在台灣師大讀書時，系主任程祥榮先生，早年畢業於京都帝大化學系，據校園內一位溜犬退休老教授曰，當年化學館迄今屹立，我特別拍攝一些相片留念。最近，台灣師大副校長陳焜銘博士來訪，我們提到高等學校，師大前身是台北高等學校，京都也有三高，副校長提到金澤市之四高，真令我驚訝，東京是一高，仙台是二高，先父諱明來公在我考上台師大時，就告訴我台師大和台北高等學校之淵源，也是我旅行日本各地，拜訪舊日高校建築之動機，舊日高校，英帝國學制，在戰前均已改制為帝大，連英國之伊頓高校和落格比高校，均已升格為學院，土井晚翠和夏目漱石在東京帝大畢業後，都先在仙台之二高，和熊本之五高任教。

銀閣寺是下一站，是在京都帝大校園之北端，搭公車下車後，就沿著哲學之道，琵琶湖疏水道前進，我未進入參拜，這是室町幕府一位大將軍之辦公室，環境幽雅，下次再來拜訪。於是我又搭車到另一方向之金閣寺，約是15年前和愛美及琳兒，進入拜訪，非常特殊美麗，是世界之寶藏，這次我也未進入，因為時間和陰雨威脅。

搭地下鐵回京都站前，我看到舊京都京畿皇居，這是明治天皇舊居處，大政奉還後，明治因京都戰亂破壞至巨，遷都江戶，我也是最近才學得知識，長州軍攻入京都，破壞甚巨，後來薩摩軍聯手長州軍擊潰德川幕府。舊皇居仍是緊閉，規模甚大，沒有天守閣。

Welcome NTNU Vice President Chen to visit Houston, Texas/Carlos Pueblo

 Welcome NTNU Vice President Chen to visit Houston, Texas/Carlos Pueblo

Our alumni association vice president informed me that NTNU Vice President Kwun-Min Chen would visit us in Houston one night on his way to College Station and Austin for school business. We would accommodate his vegetarian diet to treat him at the Sultan Pepper Mediterranean Restaurant inside the Memorial City Mall closed to his Westin Hotel nearby. It all went on smoothly as our association executives went to the airport to pick him up and I went to the mall to arrange seats for about 16 of us to welcome him. The restaurant also offers light meal such as chicken dishes in addition to the pure vegan menu which includes four salads.

We feel very closed to our Alma Mater NTNU, the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei, Taiwan. Last year, University President Chen-Chih Wu came to visit us and also treated us a very nice dinner box and fruits. This year his Vice President continued to visit us because of the universities academic agreement among Taiwanese Universities with two distinguished Texas Universities, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas. 

It's even more closed for me to think about it. Chen graduated from the Chemistry Department in 1982 while I did it 1n 1971. He went ahead to get his Ph.D. degree at the University of Pennsylvania and returned to NTNU as a professor, department head, and the dean of the college of science, a perfect academic achievement and resume.

We all had the opportunity to chat with him that night. I ask him about the school direction since NTNU is no longer an university to train the secondary school teachers. He says that the chemistry department is very busy to prepare students to work for the famous TSMC, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. It's been really amazing that 10 years before in 2014, I had a brief tour of the department at a new campus, the department head showed me how they accepted some jobs request to detect material preciously like to cover the applied chemistry fields. Now, the department goes on further ahead in the material science and electronic fields. I know that is amazing for the current days universities especially he National Universities in Taiwan.

I have had a good chat with him about our mutual teachers at NTNU. He says that the University likes to gather more about our past, the school life and our faculties. It's so nice to converse with a scholar to remember my university life nowadays.

歡迎母校台灣師大陳副校長來訪／莊峻華

 歡迎母校台灣師大陳副校長來訪／莊峻華

週餘前，休士頓師大校友會來訊，母校陳焜銘副校長，將路過休士頓，校友會將招待他一頓簡易素食晚餐，我們在他下塌之大飯店旁找到一地中海型素餐廳，陳是我們化學系1982年畢業，常春藤賓系法尼西亞大學哲學博士，任教母校25年，擔任過系主任和理學院長，學資歷完整豐富，和去年來訪之吳正己校長，都是青年才俊，而且平易近人。

校友會長副會長，赴機場將副校長接來，因為時間蒼促，副校長也不嫌棄，我們就在紀念市大購物中心的食街蘇丹胡椒店設宴，就是將食街雙人桌10套合併擺齊，於是我們坐滿，這餐廳很精緻，素食在美國有廣範定義，副校長是全素，不能有動物產品，餐廳也嚴格遵守，我們可選四種食物，我曾全素11年，因糖尿病又無健康保險之故，副校長選擇素食，是因信佛之故，非常難得。

因為人不多，大家都有機會旁坐與副校長聊天，我與母校行政主管，稍有接觸，因為曾辦理校友會業務，例如2008年和2014年，都拜訪過公館校區母系，和兩位系主任有交談過經驗，也經過學校公關室，拜會過五位校長，幾位院長和系主任，因過世的張清朗院長之好心紹介，2008年還讓音樂系主任請過一豐盛主午餐，非常親切，留下美憶。

副校長告訴我，母系近況，母系教授陣容堅強，我在2014年就讀過教授陣容，大部份是留美博士，有些是留日和留歐博士，我想這是因為美國大學常年提供獎學金之故，2014年那位系主任，帶我參觀實驗室，當年系實驗室，已經可以協助對外實驗偵測，就是做應用化學之功能，副校長曰，最近都進展到半導體，為台積電等提供人才，母校已不再是培養中等學校師資之師範學校矣。

據副校長言，明年六月母校將在洛杉磯舉行全球校友會，我要將該月時間留下，拜會全球傑出校友，群聚一堂。

Compare both National Presidential Elections of the U.S. and Taiwan/Carlos Pueblo

 Compare both National Presidential Elections of the U.S. and Taiwan/Carlos Pueblo

Both Nations are the Presidential Systems, the President has a mighty power to rule the Nation. There are cabinet or the White House in the U.S. secretaries to help the President to manage the government while in Taiwan, there is a Premier appointed by the President to form a cabinet with secretaries to help the President to rule the Nation. Both Presidents are elected every four years when a term ended. The check of balance in the U.S. is much better than in Taiwan because the rule and law system in the U.S. is much more mature than in Taiwan where the system is only 23 years old while in the U.S. is more than 147 years old. It is very interesting that in the U.S., the voters first to vote on the election day and every state decides the party winner in its individual state, the winner takes all electors which is the total numbers of the U.S. Senate and House members of tis state to form the Electoral College to decide the winner of the President. In Taiwan, its a total count of the vote. In the U.S., an individual state is like a nation itself and it's what that meaning of the United States.

Therefore, in the U.S. not every vote count such as my vote is not always be counted in Texas because it is a Republican state while vote Democrat. Trump has never the the total populate votes yet he grasped the electors in 2016 and lost in 2020 both in the populate votes and the electors in the U.S. Of course, he is still denying his loss in 2020 election. He will try again in 2024.

Now, it is getting very interesting for the Presidential Election in Taiwan this year. It doesn't matter if China like it or not, Taiwan is an independent Nation with a National Election  every four years. There are four sets of candidates representing three parties and one independent group to compete early next year on January 13, 2024 while the U.S. election will be in November, 2024. it's almost every day on the international newspaper to report Taiwan National Election. Polls to show more than 60% of voters in Taiwan would like to replace the incumbent, the Democratic Progressive Party while the opposition parties can't form an united front to challenge the DPP incumbent. I don't know the reason why like I don't know why Trump is still very popular in the Republican world in the U.S.

台灣和美國總統選舉之比較2024／莊峻華

 台灣和美國總統選舉之比較2024／莊峻華

明年，台灣和美國都有總統選舉，台灣的蔡英文任期滿，不得連任，全面改選，有四組人馬參選，執政之民進黨候選人賴清德，目前領先群雄，但全球大報社，均報導台灣之選舉有趣，而且競爭劇烈。反而美國總統局，就不若台灣之精彩，拜登年邁，但目前民主黨尚未有人挑戰他，相反的，共和黨的川普雖然官司纏身，但黨內初選，仍舊遙遙領先，甚至最近民調還微幅領先拜登。我長期關注政治，有我個人之意見，而且經常表達。

我認為拜登將繼續擊敗川普，不選川普者眾，而是越來越多，而且是爭先恐嚇的提前投票，2016年總票數川普敗於希拉蕊一百萬餘，2020年總票數川普敗於拜登七百餘萬，像我這種人，過去不投川普，將來也不會投票給川普，川普也不需要我這一票，我們德州漸漸改變，很快有一天我這一票，就可加入決勝負。

台灣總統選舉，票票都算，沒有甚麼選舉人數決，因此，在野的三黨分裂選票，對執政的民進黨賴清德有利，因此中國國民黨想和台灣民眾黨合作，共同戰鬥，但兩黨不同黨性黨員，甚難組合，倒是台灣民眾黨，可以拉到一些民進黨之票，實際上民眾黨已經受到失勢之國民黨人之投靠，雖然尚未能一舉擊敗國，民兩黨，但我們均可拭目以待。

民眾黨的柯文哲主席，是我觀察四位候選人中，最為傑出之一位，他的競選團隊，也是新穎年輕有效率，他個人甚至是品學兼優，深富理想，又有台北市長八年行政經驗，他是唯一可以帶來像明治維新一般之台灣維新機會，台灣需要如此有眼光之領導人，總統。

Second time to visit Kumamoto city in 2023/Carlos Pueblo

 Second time to visit Kumamoto city in 2023/Carlos Pueblo

First time I came to visit the Kumamoto Castle, I noticed that Prime Minster Eisaku Sato was a resident of the city. He is one of the long term Primers in Japanese history and I wish to visit his museum one of these days. Another reason for my admiration of the city is that the city is the birth place of my favorite singer Sayuri Ishikawa. I came from a long railroad ride from Kushiro, Alaska to Kumamoto in one stop at Shin Osaka overnight and still excited to visit the city. Of course, I came for the visit of the Castle and one garden which I had missed in March this year due to lack of time; furthermore, I also like to visit the newly built Taiwan Semiconductor Plant in Kumamoto city.

A hotel front desk clerk instructed me to take the city electric car to visit both the Castle and Suizenji Jojuen Garden. I entered the Castle across the moat and passing by a statue of the previous ruler Hosokawa. The Castle is still under the repair after the big earthquake, yet the twin main castles are still open for visitors. I followed a dry moat now a lovely green valley to another part in order to be closer to the twin towers. It is a Shrine site. I took a seat for a long needed rest from two days train ride. It was in the fall and not as busy as in March when cherry flowers blossom. I decided to go back and was attracted by a large crowds in the field by the Castle. People were watching some kinds of horse riding archery shows. I asked a young lady observer standing next to me about what's going on. She explained it to me that the horse riding archery was more than 1000 years old. I went closer to look more closely and took some posters with explanation. There were three riders repeatedly running back and forth to shoot three targets in high speed. It's all belonging to the fall festival sponsored by the City. The riders are in one of two major group of arch

ery, Takeda, which has been established for more than a thousand initiated by the Hosokawa family.

It's in the afternoon already. I hurried up to take the electrical car to Suizenji Garden which I missed in March this year. The garden was less busy that my previous visit in a spring, yet was still very charming. It's well maintained all ponds, hills, buildings, etc. I could barely walk part of the garden before its closing time at 4 pm. I found one of my favorite spot, the monument of the famous writer Soseki Natsume who was a graduate of Tokyo University and came her to teach English at Kumamoto Advanced High. We used to have one of his novel at home, a Japanese friend left all his library collection to my Dad when he returned to Japan after the War. I was unable to read that novel yet I noticed that Natsume's popularity in the world later on. 

再訪熊本市2023／莊峻華

 再訪熊本市2023／莊峻華

今年春初，愛美和我來訪日本賞櫻住博多，我們重訪熊本市，主要是拜訪被地震震跨之熊本城，沒時間重訪水前寺花園，這次我特別趕到水前寺，心滿意足，有一年我們在水前寺前旅店住四夜，對城和寺有深刻印象，最近台灣之台積電在此設廠，熊本市更加熱門。

旅店櫃台教我，就在店前搭市電車到熊本城，而且事後可再搭該車到水前寺，節省時間。我到古城時，從停車站步行入城，已經有許多遊客，過護城河到天守閣入口，拍攝相片留念，然後走向神社方向，以便接近雙城天守閣，最近我在網誌看到一則介紹熊本城興建史，應該是豐臣秀吉一部將，征高麗後，協助大名細川所建，城設計固於防守，西南戰爭時，擋住薩摩叛軍，其中幾位年輕校佐，引起我注意，像兒玉原太朗和乃木希典，兒玉當過台灣總督，乃木是日俄戰爭之主將。我在神社板凳中靜坐休息，旁邊有一小孩，好奇觀看我的德州牛仔帽許久。

然後我走回原道，準備回去，城前廣場已經圍上一大群觀眾，正在觀看一節目，廣場甚大，是一騎射表演，有主事者介紹，然後有三騎士，馳馬奔馳而過，先是模擬射靶，然後實箭射擊，幾陣歡呼，我請教旁邊一位小姐，她說此武術已經有上千年歷史，後來我在大阪城城也遇到類似之秋祭活動，原來我是遇到日本的秋祭假日。

我走近會場，仔細讀說明，原來這是武田流騎射流鏑馬，約是1100前開始流傳之武藝活動，騎士均著古裝，有壯者有姑娘，三位來回表演，騎射不易，水滸傳上的描述，我想有些誇張，有武田流和小笠原流，這次是武田流俱樂部提供表演，我很心儀如此民間活動，對身心健康有所助益。

不知不覺已經是下午，買票進入水前寺花園，聽到幾處台灣話，花園接近關門，我連忙拍照留念，諸侯細川父子銅像，是花園之創始大名，我也拍到夏目漱石紀念碑，夏目是一位作家，東京大學英語系畢業後，前來熊本高等學校任教多年，我幼年時家中先嚴藏書中，有夏目之作品，並非先嚴有錢購買閒書，實在是一位北工校長終戰離台時，掃地出門，無法攜帶回日本，卻無意間播下我對日本之景仰。

Two Opposition Parties in Taiwan National Election/Carlos Pueblo

 Two Opposition Parties in Taiwan National Election/Carlos Pueblo

Recently, there are two opposition parties in Taiwan attempt to merge their Presidential candidates in one ticket to against the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party. The poll shows that 65% of Taiwanese voters wish to replace the incumbent regime. These two opposition parties are the Chinese Nationalist Party, KMT, and the Taiwan People's Party, TPP. KMT used to rule part of China briefly until Mao's Communist Party kicked it out of China in 1949. Chiang Kai-sek, the one who brought KMT to Taiwan, and his KMT party have ruled Taiwan for a long time effectively until 2016 replaced by the current incumbent, DPP. KMT has a strong hold in the local magistrate and city in number. While TPP was founded 4 years ago by a Mayor of the Capital City of Taipei.

There was a meeting for such merge of candidates arrangement last week. They all agree to have a poll immediately before the candidate registration on November 20,2023. However, both parties can't agree on the definition of the yield percentage either 3% or 6%. On the previous agreement KMT asked TPP to yield 3% and TPP agreed; however, the definition of the percentage is debatable. I understand now the difference is the poll sample 1000 or 2000. The poll is in 1000 category; therefore, KMT say  the yield should be 6% not 3%. TPP disagree.

Now, both parties continue to negotiate for another 3 days; however, I believe TPP candidate Dr. Ko announces and promises that he will run by himself until the end. I shall see if my previous prediction is correct that KMT will let its candidate Hou to come down gracefully in order to make KMT and TPP join effort to defeat DPP on 01/13/2024 National Election.

I firmly believe that the talk of yield 3% or 6% from Ko of TPP to Hou of KMT has made KMT loosing face. A more that 100 years old grand old party asks a new four years old party to yield in poll is really shameful and disgraceful. That is what I say loosing face.

台灣總統民調之爭執／莊峻華

 台灣總統民調之爭執／莊峻華

柯文哲主席的台灣民眾黨和朱立倫主席的中國國民黨，為下架執政之民進黨，做了一總統選舉正副搭檔，對抗民進黨賴清德副總統之民調，結果已經出來，但有爭執，朱立倫說柯要讓6％，因為柯同意讓侯3％，正負加上就是6％，柯說3％就是贏3％而已，不是6％，我對數字非常清礎，贏3塊絕對不是贏6塊，據說朱是留美統計學哲學博士，台大統計教授，我聽他的解釋，不如柯之解釋，參選是朱，還是侯友宜？馬英九如何不加入論戰？馬也是堂堂哈佛哲學博士，統計外行？不敢置嘴？

悲哀矣，這堂堂百年中國大黨，曾經叱吒風雲，名義上曾經統治分裂之中國政府八年，如今落魄到台灣，從蔣家兩代高壓極權統治台灣，淪落到今日乞求4年小黨民眾黨讓分之恩惠，你是港澳生？是僑生？習慣要特權加分，進入台灣大學？

國民黨人真是沒志氣，又有中華文化之死要顏面，越鬧越丟臉，侯是否有統治國家之主張和能力？何以都不吭氣？人家柯全國到處演講，發表政見，接受質問，我都清礎他在講甚麼，其他三人，侯，郭，和賴，都是不學無術，沒有柯之辯才無礙，連世界大報社都注意到這次台灣的總統選舉，只有獨裁中國統治下之中國人流口水。

The foliage at Hokkaido University campus/Carlos Pueblo

 The foliage at Hokkaido University campus/Carlos Pueblo

After a long trains ride from Hirosaki, Aomori to Sapporo, Hokkaido, I selected to visit the old Hokkaido Governor red brick office and its garden as well as the University of Hokkaido campus. Both are very beautiful campus with the great history in the background. I compare the Governor's building to the current day Taiwan 's President office building in Taipei in order to see how important of the Emperor to think Taiwan a\in compare to Hokkaido at that time. Secondly, the University was one of the Imperial Universities like Taiwan University back to time period before the World War II. I have visited both places many times in my life.

Unfortunately, the red brick building is under re-innovation with a large color covered in the front of the building. No one can get in to visit the current day museum. The actual governor's offices are behind the old building. You can see many young workers with neat suits and dresses coming in to work. Gardens are on both sides of the path in the middle of a low wall surrounding with tall trees of aged more than  hundred years old. Pounds with the locus and ducks floating on. I was pleased to identify the poplar tree. The gingko and the maple leaves were changing color.

We continue to walk toward the University campus. There were many visitors of the foliage. I believe that is because Hokkaido is the first in Japan to have leaves color changed. We followed the crowds to an avenue to a side gate by the medical school and hospital. Japanese have a fantasy of the avenue which they call Namikimichi with plenty of songs to describ

e them. The scenery has reminded me of my visits of Colorado mountain towns when I was younger than now. The fall color of Sapporo is amazing.

北海道大學校園秋色／莊峻華

 北海道大學校園秋色／莊峻華

我們在10／29／2023，從青森縣弘前市，搭車一日到北海道之札幌市，先搭特急號到新青森，換新幹線到新涵館北斗，再換特急號到札幌市，新幹線穿過著名的津輕海峽地下隧道，翌日，我在旅店職員協助下，按其彩色電腦印出圖，步行到北海道廳和北海道大學校園，觀賞札幌秋色樹葉變色，再過一週就是落葉時候，我曾拜訪札幌市許多次，也喜愛札幌啤酒。

道廳是紅磚大樓，我喜歡比較台灣的總統府，過去的總督府，因此可見當年日本帝國對台灣的重視，今年不巧遇道廳整修門面，和內部結構，僅在外面掛上一大面彩色布圖，台灣的總督府大廈，幸好蔣介石採用為其辦公室和國防部，不像南韓仇恨日本，一舉拆除漢城那座，仇華也改漢城為首爾，連韓文漢字都改成八掛文，再提到中國人馬英九仇日，當台北市長時，拆掉明治大橋，台灣人後悔，留下橋墩石塊，但無錢拼湊回去，中國執政者之無知。

古道廳已經是博物館，真正北海道廳辦公室是在北後的幾棟大樓，清晨看到許多年輕男女職員，西裝筆挺整潔女裝來上班。看不到紅樓真面目，但紅樓大廳有美麗之日本花園兩側前庭，古樹參天，花園水池流水，許多觀光客，我拍上許多相片留念，也標指水滸傳上的白楊樹。

移至不遠之北海道大學校園，此大學原是帝國大學，非常完整，我們沿著校園內大道，走到一處並木林，在醫學院旁，這就是迷人之日本秋色，紅黃葉色，引來全球旅客，當然也引來許多日本遊客，我將出示幾張相片，我年輕時常驅車旅行科羅拉多州，遇見類式風景，留下多少美憶，倖巧我尚能步行。

Does Professor Ko surrender to KMT?/Carlos Pueblo

 Does Professor Ko surrender to KMT?/Carlos Pueblo

In the National Presidential Election of Taiwan, Does Professor Ko, aka KP, of the Taiwan People's Party, TPP, surrender to the Chinese Nationalist Party, KMT? I think not. I believe that is a way for the KMT Presidential candidate Mayor Hou of Shin Taipei City to get out of the race graciously. The consensus of the KMT bosses and Hou himself is this way. It is better for the field finally becoming one on one, Ko versus Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party, the incumbent National Vice President.

Ko is more personal charisma than both Hou and Lai. He dares to go to any places to deliver his thought and facing the questions and answers in any where universities, local gods temples, and televisions talk shows, etc. He can clearly express his political philosophy, his disciple, and his experience for 8 years Mayor of the capital city of Taipei. He is a graduate of Taiwan University Medical School and a surgeon as well as a clinical professor of that Medical Professor. I see no reasons for him to yield to Hou, a mayor of his second term at a suburban of Taipei.

Ko has been ahead of Hou in polls for quite some time and I don't see how he will be behind for the last two days of the poll in agreement. He will lead Hou in polls much more than needed points to convince everyone including Hou himself. As a matter of fact, Hou's wish is let him be on the ticket and he doesn't be bothered if he is a Vice President partner to Ko. Ko is very confident that if Hou is successful during the selection procedure, he will not win even if Ko is on the ticket as his Vice President partner. He also emphasize that TPP and KMT are two different idealism parties even if Hou win, the TPP supporters will not convert any votes to KMT. I can only see what Ko's yield is only not insisting his choice of Vice President partner. It's very interesting indeed.

柯文哲主席真投降國民黨？／莊峻華

 柯文哲主席真投降國民黨？／莊峻華

昨日台灣民眾黨和中國國民黨當事人，兩小時半協商後，出來宣佈兩黨合作，我的看法是民，國兩黨都想找一台階讓國民黨總統後選人侯友宜退居副總統參選人，他自己也願意，柯同意，不再堅持尋找一能勝選的副總統候選人，給足國民黨顏面，台灣的政治名嘴只有黃光芹和鄭麗文，有類似之看法，反正僅剩一日，大局馬上分曉。

一般中國士大夫，看不起軍人警察，馬英九更加典型，論學資歷口才操守，柯都超越侯甚多，國民黨立委候選人，都期待柯來站台助選，柯面露哀怨，但實在是有口難言，所以大家都在演戲。

柯仍未放棄，仍舊要求民眾支持柯侯配，但又聲稱民眾黨支持者，不會因柯之妥協，而改投國民黨之侯友宜。反而，柯可以拿到一些國民黨人之支持，這是我的看法，現在柯左右站滿前國民黨和民進黨人，銳不可當，當然年輕支持者，尚未知道國民黨萬惡之過去。

再過一日，此政局即將結曉，我是毫無所失，柯也毫無所失，沒有國民黨人支持，他無法擊敗民進黨候選人。

Get my 5th Coronas Virus vaccine shot/Carlos Pueblo

 Get my 5th Coronas Virus vaccine shot/Carlos Pueblo

Before my last trip, the U.S. Government announced that the 5th vaccine shot for the Wuhan Covic-19 was available, yet I was on my way to Canada to catch up my cruise ship with not sufficient time to get it. It's one of the regular business at home that I have to attend to; therefore, I toke it yesterday at a drug store nearby and after that I wanted to get a free 16 ounce frozen fruit bag for Amy to make her morning smoothie.

American are getting used to the pandemic; therefore, not many people pay attention to the reinforcement shot like number 5 dose. I got my shot done exactly one minute after my schedule appointment. I followed the 15 minutes waiting at the store to observe any side reaction. Everything is normal as before.

I drove across the street to a supermarket to collect my free frozen fruit bag. I saw the fresh pineapple price was 97 cent a piece. I attempted to check what was wrong with the produce. In Japan the same one would charge more than $10 a piece. I found out that it's a digital sale that I should have a digital account in order to get a coupon for the sale. No problem I did bring my i-phone with me. The customer service could not locate my coupon due to the account was not updated. He asked me to log in to my e-mail address; yet I forgot my password. It's was so much problem for the clerk.

He couldn't see that I would give up my purchase; so he agreed to use his office code to help me to purchase these 5 pieces of fruits. I paid about $5 with his help or I should pay more than $20 without the coupon. American are really good at doing business.

武肺疫苗注射記／莊峻華

 武肺疫苗注射記／莊峻華

回家後趕緊第六支武漢肺炎注射，我在旅行中，兩次在公車火車上，遇見有人咳嗽不止，心甚惶恐，但願我的五支注射，仍然有效，安然渡過每一關，這支注射是九月十七日生效，我已經需要搭機外出，52日後回家，忙完碎事後，疫苗注射一併解決，十二月二日，我又有遠行18日，這次是到羅馬搭船回紐約港，再返家。

藥局很輕鬆的完成注射，這和當年的風聲鶴唳有異，美國和世界各國，似乎均已控制武肺之肆虐，打完針我到對面超市，領一免費16盎司冰凍藍草莓，給愛美打果汁喝，超市有墨西哥鳳梨賤賣，一粒不到一元美金，我思考一陣，挑上六粒，準備付錢，原來這折扣鳳梨是需要有數位碼客戶，我因手機電腦落後，找客服職員幫忙，但他也找不到項目，我仍不放棄希望，若無數位碼無折扣，則是20餘元美金，客服職員見我堅持，於是研究我手機失效理由，是因為我不曾時時維護更新，於是他要我重新進入網訊站，但我又記不的我的密碼，於是僵持不下，他同意網開一面，使用客服密碼，賣我五粒鳳梨，價錢不到五美金，回家後發現這鳳梨和平常一樣，毫無異處，而且尚算甜美，美國人很會生意。

此超市就是元兒服務16年的公司，他的待遇雖然不高，但一年有四週假日，週休兩日，平常每週可遇到牛排折扣，另外一家也再競爭折扣，我常購買折扣牛排煮牛肉麵，味道也不錯。

Visiting the red crowned crane at Kushiro, Hokkaido/Carlos Pueblo

 Visiting the red crowned crane at Kushiro, Hokkaido/Carlos Pueblo

After a two nights stay in Sapporo, Hokkaido, we left on a limited express train to the Hokkaido West Kushiro for a visit of the famous red crowned crane, Tanchotsuru. It's my dream to visit such rare birds in the nature reserve. I didn't see them flying yet it's still very wonderful and I did visit at least 15 of them beyond the fence.

The bird has a black and white figure with a red color spot on the crown weight between 6-12 pounds. It's a longevity bird. Japanese have put an effort to preserve such bird since 1925 and now they are able to reproduce the bird under their tender care. I was advised by a Taiwanese professional tour guide at the Hiroshima Castle that I at least could visit one of the gardens at Kushiro with all year around birds. Another one may have to be in the season while they either flying to Manchuria and Russia in the spring or flying back to Japan in the winter. I check with the entrance ticket, in 2021 survey 1900 birds in Japan and 1400 birds outside of Japan in the world. Birds stay in Japan all year around. I have taken many photos on the park and shall show you 4 of them.

They are provided a large space with the reed on the back and wet land space in the front with small brook flowing through. I learn the Japanese name of the reed, Susuki grass, from a Japanese song translated by my late Japanese language teacher, Professor Watanabe in Houston, Texas. Generally, in the mid of March, they will fly back to Akan Marchi and Tsurukuo Village in Kushiro for food, then build their nets in the tall Susuki Grass grove to lay 1-2 eggs 10 cm length. Both couple birds take turn to hatch the egg in about a month and the chick break out. In about 100 days, the young chick will grow about the size of its parents yet not with the distinguished red crowned. They will ga

ther around the resource of the food when the winter arrives.

I still have the fantasy to all the migrant birds, geese and ducks in the United States. I read books about them and did attempt to visit them in the rice field outside of Houston, Texas  in vain, yet I do see them flying over my head both in the spring back to Canada and and Mexico in the fall all passing through Texas.

北海道釧路行／莊峻華

 北海道釧路行／莊峻華

此次北海道釧路行，純粹是追著名之丹頂鶴，非常順利，我們一行四人，搭乘日鐵特急火車，清晨從道府札幌市出發，約是八小時火車，橫跨西東北海道，抵達釧路時已是黃昏，旅店職員幫我查好搭車方法，翌晨，我們走回火車站，搭巴士到釧路市丹頂鶴自然公園。其實這是一位在青森縣弘前城相遇之台灣人導遊所肯定之路線，他說有一處是人工培養，一處是天然丹頂鶴聚集原野，都可以看到，釧路市附近有許多景觀點，尤其是溫泉，引來許多觀光客。

我們在門口購買入場劵，迫不急待入園參觀，丹頂鶴果然久違了，自然園約有十圈濕地，前面是空地，有自然小水溝流水，丹頂鶴一般都是一對，園列其名，出生日，來園日，野生或是園生，釧路已經可以繁殖此鶴，圈圈均有廣大蘆葦叢在北後，鶴得自由進出，我數一下自然園，總共有十五隻，可能有幾隻飛出園外，當有圈內鶴鳴，圈外不遠處也聞得共鳴，顯然亦有原始鶴在圈外。

機會難得，我在園內徘徊幾小時，本想再參觀幾處景區，但因無車輛，步行不便且不安全，我們購買多處票價，但僅能參觀一處，於是自然園取消我們原購全票，改為單一處票價，非常公正無欺。

約是下午一點，園職員告知巴士最後一班為一點半，建議我們叫計程車到機場，再搭另班巴士回釧路市，我們回程車票是下午五時，於是我們有一冗長討論，因為我的日文不夠流利，但我堅信巴士公司是大株式會社，應該保證車票回程時間，原來自然園在兩週前改為冬季時間，巴士不再進園接乘客，自然園在下午四時關門，我們需要在公路旁候車，熱心女職員下班時，特別下車指點我們過馬路候車，因為日本是左邊駕駛，有別於美國之右邊。

北海道早暮，下午四點已經烏黒一氣，我看到六隻大麋鹿，熟練安全地穿過馬路。

Yes there is always a hope/Carlos Pueblo

 Yes there is always a hope/Carlos Pueblo

After a long trip away from home, I must adjust myself to meet the realty of life at home. On the vacation, I am temporary away from my real life requirement at home, of course there is a difference on cruise from a land trip even as convenient as traveling in Japan. I was very stressful when I arrived home the other day, I couldn't crank up my old vehicle and Amy was telling me the schedule of foundation repair. I must meet the schedule to help the contractor such as relocation of furniture away from the construction area. 

I took down the dead battery to the shop for re-charging of the battery. The clerk gave me a new battery because that was still under the warranty. I misplaced the cables on the positive from the negative; therefore, there was alight sparked and something was very wrong. The vehicle was still dead. I was afraid that it might cost me to get it back in to functioning. I regret very much that I attempted to save money and ended up costing more.

I was in depress mood. It had been raining since I came home, cold and miserable. An AAA towing technician pointed it out that there was a weak fuse on the battery cable and he used his charger to jump up the vehicle; therefore, I could drive myself to the shop. The cost to replace such fuse was $70, $13 for the part and $65 for the labor. Yes, there is always a hope.

After the rain, I shall go back to the tennis court to resume my morning tennis exercises even though the tennis is not good for my left knee; however, it's good for my body at the old age. There is always a hope for me to get over to the sorry life of aging.

天無絕人之路／莊峻華

 天無絕人之路／莊峻華

剛旅行回家，立刻需要處理碎事幾件，先是需要發動老車，握而瑪送我一新電池，因原電池在保證期內，而無法充電，我想省錢，自己換上電池，結果裝錯正負極，導火線燒掉，還是無法發動，不知這毛病要耗去多少錢？

美國汽車協會拖車司機來，拿手提電地發動老車，讓我自行開到車行，下午車行電話來，已換新導火線，費用$70，救了我一命，過去老車入廠維護，都是兩千，一千起跳，我為出外旅行，擱置老車於街頭巷尾，電池壞，拆裝電池沉重，老身都顯不支，真是氣惱。

幸好天無絕人之路，我精神一振，再查閱郵輪廣告，希望再找到合理路線，再外出旅行。

Meeting a Japanese beauty at the Osaka Castle/Carlos Pueblo

 Meeting a Japanese beauty at the Osaka Castle/Carlos Pueblo

On my first day arriving to Fukushima hotel, I couldn't wait to visit the Osaka Castle Park. I believe that the Castle is the largest one in size and one of the best in maintenance. It was during the Warlord Era before 1600 D.C. in Japan, Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi first built this castle in celebration for his successful control of the entire Japan. He couldn't be appointed to the Shogun Ship due to his humble background. In order to be a Shogun, you must be from a noble class like his boss Oda Nobunaga or his counterpart later a genuine Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Castle has been destroyed three times yet Japanese build it back three times. There are Plume Orchard and Peach orchard inside the moat and the peach were along with the cherry in blossom last March when we visited here. It's totally different now from the latest time I was here in scenery and the mood.

It's the fall festival time, matsuri in Japanese, the Castle has hosted several activities in front of the Castle. Temporary platform was built and programs were scheduled during the weekend. It's quite busy and gathered many audience. Crowds were on the right side in line to purchase tickets to enter the Castle while another big group were in front of the Castle to watch shows. I saw a pretty lady, slender and charming, with a very nice outfit. She is one of the hostess whom I assume. She was talking to an old man in question. At the end of the first show, she walked back to a tent behind the platform and I was disappointed for not be able to speak to her. A Taiwanese young couple sit beside me and chat with me while I was still wondering if I could see that pretty lady again. When the young couple departed, I mentioned to them that I was waiting for that pretty lady and they laughed.

She did come back on the second show which was a samurai duel. She was standing behind the crowds and I believed that she was on duty for any safety concerns. I tapped her shoulder and asked if she was the hostess for the Castle in English and she nodded. I requested to take pictures of her for my collection.

of the world beauty. I always consider that pretty girls are like beautiful flowers. 

巧遇大阪城之美女／莊峻華

 巧遇大阪城之美女／莊峻華

此次旅行終站是日本大阪市之福島，重返大阪城是首站，我訪問過大阪城許多次，留下美憶，這次更加特別是巧遇一日本美女，經過等待，她大方的接受我拍照留念，這也是我此次旅行系列文選之首，分享全球讀者知音。

大阪城起建於豐臣秀吉，秀吉是織田信長部將，本能寺變信長遇刺，秀吉平亂有功，幾統一天下，但因出身卑微，不得征夷大將軍銜，然實駕馭天下，封德川家康於江戶，今東京，年領325萬石糧饗，因造大阪城，規模為日本之最，堪稱天子規模，大阪城三次毀壞，三次均重建，現規大阪府經營，仍舊美侖美奐，是世界之寶座。

城下有舞台，乃是日本秋祭，春祭是櫻花，秋祭是紅葉，天暖紅葉僅開始於北海道札幌市，但不減秋祭活動，舞台有歌唱武術節目，我坐在舞台前方板凳上照相，舞者表演後，在前場集合，為觀眾拍照留念，真是人山人海。我注意到一位工作小姐正與一老者講話，老者久而不去，歌舞畢觀眾散，我始發現小姐離去往舞台後臨時帳篷走去，我相信她時大阪城執事，擔任安全秩序招待，她不是妙齡姑娘，但穿著清秀美麗，加上她的體裁，我期待她下節再出現，這次我動作要快。

一對年輕台灣夫婦坐旁，口語福佬音，我和他聊天些時，這時夫婦將離去，我剛好準備要等候這位美女，第二場是劍術武打，美女果然執勤，我點她肩膀，英語問道是否為大阪城招待，她點頭，於是我要求拍照留念，她大方答應，於是我迅速拍下兩張玉照，回家後查看其名牌，山中可是姓氏，我將其相留在部落格，這就是我心目中之美女。

2024 Taiwan National Election/Carlos Pueblo

 2024 Taiwan National Election/Carlos Pueblo

There is a hotly contest of Taiwan National Election this year 2023 for the actual voting of January 13, 2024 for the head of the Nation, the President as well as members of the Legislative Yuan similar to the House of Representative in the U.S. Taiwan is a genuine nation belongs to the people in Taiwan nothing to do with the current day China. Taiwan was once a colony of the late Manchu Dynasty until it ceded to Japan in 1895. The U.S. defeated Japan in 1945 and The U.S. put no effort to rule Taiwan and invited Chiang Kai-sek's Republic of China army to enter Taiwan after the War. Mao's People Republic of China army defeated Chiang and forced him to be exiled to Taiwan in 1949. In 1996 Taiwan held the first National Election to elect its first citizen voted President to formally made up the needed Self Determination since the end of WWII in 1945. It's been 7 times of such Election to mandate Taiwan as an Independent Nation.

This year, there are four set of Presidential Candidates in Taiwan, the incumbent ruling party DPP Vice President Andrew Lai; the Shin Taipei Mayor You-Yi Hou of the KMP party; former city Mayor of Taipei Wen-Jer Ko of the TPP party. There is also an independent candidate Terry Gou of the Foxconn, a billionaire. Personally I like to vote for Dr. Ko. I can vote if I dare to spend such money to fly back to Taiwan in 2024.

Ko has graduated from the medical school of Taiwan National University, his wife Peggy Chen is also a graduate of the same medical school and still practicing. He has parents with Japanese background between such era of 1895-1945. Like myself that I currently realize that I also have been influence by such civilization from my parents, they were all citizen of the Imperial Japanese citizen with outstanding Japanese influence.

After the graduation of the medical school, he has entered the medical school hospital to practice and becomes a clinical professor of that medical school. That medical school is the only one institution under heavy Japanese trained physicians professional not bothered by the ruling Chinese refugee scholars. He has learned and disciplined by such advanced environment so that when he has become the Mayor of the Capital City Taipei, he has brought a well discipline government to Taiwan. He starts his work at 7:30 am and he has taken city bus to work every day. He doesn't embezzle any penny at all.

台灣國總統之選舉／莊峻華

 台灣國總統之選舉／莊峻華

最近台灣國總統之選舉白熱化，非常有趣，我先說明台灣是一主權獨立之國家，蔣介石之中華民國軍隊受命接收台灣，到1949年潰敗之國軍佔據台灣，自號中國正統，已經在1996年終結，因為台灣在當年舉行全民投票，選出國民黨之李登輝為總統，國號仍襲中華民國，有別於北京之中華人民共和國，後來台萬繼續投票選舉國家總統八次32年，終戰後欠缺之公民自決，儼然已成立，台灣是一貨真價實的主權獨立之國，反而對岸之中國，尚未有公民授權，政治地位不定。

今年台灣執政之民進黨候選人賴清德，民調似乎領先，非執政黨之在野，有三組人馬出來角逐，國民黨之候選人侯友宜，獨立參選人郭台銘，和台灣民眾黨候選人柯文哲，我中意柯文哲醫學教授，因為他的學識豐富，醫學經驗，政治理想，和八年之台北市長實際經歷。許多台北市長群中，後蔣經國任內，能無瑕疵而又能全身而退者，僅柯與陳水扁兩人，國民黨的馬英九和郝龍斌均涉五大弊案，雖未遭起訴，但許多部屬均因案入獄。

柯之父母均受日本教育，有很好的儒家家訓，柯又天資聰穎，讀書工作努力，台大醫科和台大醫院都有日本教育和紀律之傳承，在蔣家國民黨之腐敗中國文化中，真是出身污泥而不染，柯之有志於政治，造福台灣人，台灣國，實為台灣之福。

柯在選舉策略中，主張連合在野勢力，一舉推翻民進黨，他的連合國民黨是有原則，而且他甚自信民調高於國民黨之侯，眼看與國民黨合作有困難，國民黨開始內亂，有多人開始附合柯，連民進黨之賴都專門攻擊柯，但柯甚厲害，打擊執政黨，不遺餘力。

Back to my real life/Carlos Pueblo

 Back to my real life/Carlos Pueblo

Traveling is a fantasy coming true, an Utopia. Once I figure out the cost which is manageable, I purchase the tickets and make trips. The cruise liner prepares most of my near luxury living needs, foods, shelter, and transportation, etc. Japanese trips is costed more yet I can see more than what the cruise itinerary can be provided. However, once I come back from the Utopian life at home in Houston, Texas, I must face the reality, my old Q45 can't be started and a demand of fixing our house foundation required to be prepared.

I have been absent for my 52 days on the road and my 25 years old Q45 was idle on the street in front of our house. I can't jump up the engine. I thought that was the battery issue. I took down the battery and drove Arthur's car to Walmart. After fa failed re-charging, the clerk gave me a new battery without any hustle. I did put the new battery on and still not working. Suddenly I have felt a pain. I wonder how much it will cost me to repair it. I don't like to drive nowadays yet it is nice to have a car as a spare in case Arthur needs it as a back up of his vehicle.

Amy asks me to pay my share to fix our sinking house foundation which is very common in our subdivision. It's required 50 new piers and a new wood floor afterward. She says that both Arthur and her need to live at this house after my death. I agree and figure out the repair is cheaper than tore it down and removed the debris than build a new house. I agree to pay my share.

落入凡間碎事／莊峻華

 落入凡間碎事／莊峻華

剛從阿拉斯加和日本旅行回來，就落入凡間碎事煩惱，老車發動有問題，房屋地基需要碇磚50枚，防止繼續下陷，我需要馬上配合面對。

老車停泊街旁，經過52日不曾發動駕駛，已經無一絲電光，節省如我者，設法卸下電池，送到握而碼充電，無法充電，店員贈送新電池，因為保證在一年內仍有效，我又節省，自換新電池，結果一樣無效，準備拖車到附近車行求救，無車無法在休市生活自如，我又不想購置新車，很是傷腦筋。

旅行前，愛美擔心房屋地基下陷，希望找人修葺，我在船上想開同意，因為房屋拆除費也高價於打50根地栓，何況我們喜歡此社區，雖然老屋都有地基下陷問題。

說到地基，我看到今年乾旱夏日，修葺後之草皮，一一乾枯死亡，露出空隙好幾處，明年我又需要重覆一遍，居屋甚多難題，需要一一解決，郵輪旅行和日本旅行，都是短暫樂園，只有家居是永遠天堂。

Coming back from a long trip to Alaska and Japan 2023/Carlos Pueblo

 Coming back from a long trip to Alaska and Japan 2023/Carlos Pueblo

Yesterday, I came back from a 52 days trip to Alaska and Japan, both were repeated trips in 2023. I did exactly the same routes on a back to back cruises and a 21 days Japan Rail Pass to cover most parts of Japan. First, I landed in Vancouver, Canada and hopped on a cruise ship Jewel to Seward, Alaska and back to Vancouver that was 14 days. I took a bus across the Canadian boulder to Seattle, Washington to be back on Jewel again to sail across the Pacific Ocean to Japan. We did the same Alaskan route to Seward again and turned south to Tokyo straight that was 16 days. The cruise arranged a one day stay in Tokyo before the disembark.

There were a group of 5 of us at the first two days in Yokohama while we visited nearby Tokyo , then one left for his own itinerary while we continued our plan to finish our 4 days stay at Yokohama. We have visited the Emperor's Residence and the Yasukuni Shrine, the Asakusa Shine, The Shibuya Train Station, etc.

The second stop was in Sendai for two nights. We visited the morning market before marching to the ruined castle. We did cover the castle owners family cemetery park and the National Northeast University campus.

Our third stop was Akita. We visited also the ruined castle now converted to a lovely city park. We stayed over there for two nights and continued our train trip across the northeast coastal line called the Gono Line to Hirosaki, the old seat of Lord Tsugaru. We visited his castle and the lovely park for another two nights.

We continued our trip north to Sapporo, Hokkaido. We visited the red brick hall which was under the renovation yet we could feel the foliage. It's the most beautiful color change of leaves at the National Hokkaido University campus, Ginkgo, maple and others. It's also two nights.

We took the train again across Hokkaido to Kushiro, Hokkaido to visit the famous red head crane, It's the peak of this trip which I have fulfilled my dream.

We did come down back to the Honshu Island on two days trains ride to Kumamoto, Japan. One day at Shin Osaka due to the late arrival and another two nights at Kumamoto. I went alone to visit the Kumamoto Castle under renovation, and also Kagoshima City for one day.

I continued a four nights stay at Fukushima, Osaka for 4 nights to visit the Osaka Castle twice, Kyoto, the Himeji Castle, Okayama Castle before I headed back to the Narita Airport.

52日旅行歸來／莊峻華

 52日旅行歸來／莊峻華

昨日剛從日本經桃園機場回家，結束52日旅行歸來，此次旅行分成三段，第一段是搭珠寶號，從加拿大溫哥華港到阿拉斯加蘇握握港來回14日，第二段是由西雅圖港經同路線，在蘇握港折向太平洋到東京港一共16日，然後在日本鐵道旅行三週，從中到北到南，停留八座城市一共21日。今年春天，我們先旅行日本欣賞櫻花三週，然後我又搭乘精神號類似阿拉斯加二週行，非常愉快。

這段阿拉斯加郵輪旅行，我已經搭乘過許多次，主要是欣賞風景，郵輪季時間和風景有異，這是很特殊的山水風光，而且最容易方便達到願望，況且郵輪服務週道，令我滿意。唯一遺憾是感冒，整個郵輪旅行都在咳嗽，一直到東京港為止，主要是我喝太多酒，感冒無法痊癒，加上下雨日，從溫哥華搭巴士越國界到西雅圖，一路艱辛。

日本行，先停留橫濱4日，逛東京三日，其中一日是郵輪特別安排，我們到淺草拜廟，一日逛皇居，靖國神社，涉谷車站前義犬八子銅像和全球馳名之站前十字路口。一日拜訪鐮倉大佛，橫濱的唐人街甚具規模，人山人海。然後，北上仙台，行軍到舊城墟公園，瑞鳳殿，東北帝大校園，還有土井晚翠故居。

特別安排訪問秋田，參觀千秋公園一日，然後搭五能線經日本海岸到弘前，沿線經廣大青森蘋果園，弘前也有一古城公園，十分美麗。兩日後，我們抵達北海道札幌市，參觀北海道廳和北海道帝大，看到樹葉變色。繼續東行到釧路，參觀丹頂鶴，看到此聞名全球之愛鳥。

我們分兩日南下到九州熊本市，抵新大阪站，已經是半夜，翌日再登車西行熊本市。我在熊本兩日，參觀熊本城，見到一騎射表演，水前寺花園，也到南端鹿兒島一日，參觀維新事蹟紀念區，島津家舊城，還有櫻島火山前海濱公園。

最後在大阪福島停留四夜，兩度參觀大阪城和四天王寺，一日訪問京都，參觀清水寺，祇園，京都帝大，銀閣寺，金閣寺，京都御所公園。有一日我專程拜訪岡山城，看到菊花展，也有一日參觀姬路城，也見菊花展。