Only two work days left...

Ugh!!! It's HOT!! Taiwanese must be used to humid heat because they refuse to turn on their air conditioners.
Another busy day. Visited the Environmental Protection Agency for Hualien County. This is the "greenest" county in Taiwan and I must say, I'm impressed. All food grown here is organic - no herbicides or pesticides. The amount of garbage collected is so much lower than in the US and they recycle everything we do, including food waste (although all the oil in the food waste has been a problem). They have decided not to put trash cans everywhere so that people will not generate waste. Toilet paper is dispensed by the square, napkins are like a piece of kleenex. Will be interesting to see how Taipei and Hong Kong operate. Everyone laughs when you mention Taipei and sustainability. They have just completed development of a new green technology center and are trying to connect tourism with the sustainability movement. Apparently a lot of the younger Hualienians are moving away to get better jobs, so there is a real push to bring new opportunities here. No land use review like we have unless the parcels are large, hence a lot of illegal development.
Afternoon was spent visiting the 2 local newspapers. I have had a photograph is both many times. Too weird. The mayor is being photographed all the time. I visited the TV station last night and had a 20 second feature. Ah, it will be hard to be a mere mortal when I get home...
JUST KIDDING!!!!!
So tomorrow we visit the East Coast and Thursday is the finale of my stay and the banquet. Friday is open - but a new friend (Michelle - everyone is named Michelle) has offered to take me shopping. Then Sat. I go to Taipei. I was originally supposed to go on Sun., but the Mayor is kicking me out a day early. Said he wants me to see more of Taiwan. I can't believe my time here is coming to an end.

Anxious to hear about the election. It is Tues here, but I have to wait until tomorrow.
GO OBAMA!!! Everyone here wants Obama...I have my fingers crossed. So "vote early and vote often"......more soon.
sap