Day 2 – October 8^th

The Morning Events

To place days and times into context, we left NYC on October 6^th Tuesday, which is Wednesday, October 7^th in Taiwan. We arrived on the evening of October 7^th late evening and with the drive, placed us at the hotel about 9pm Taiwan time.

Day 2 begins at about 7:00am Taiwan time and 7pm New York time.

I am up and ready to start the day with much trepidation, as I am scheduled to speak.

I had not looked at the agenda nor paid much attention to scheduling as my primary concern was getting to Taiwan.

I proceeded to dress and make my way downstairs for a cup of coffee (Yes…I do enjoy my morning cup of coffee).

Once outside I took a short walk to see the lay of the land during the day. I was taken aback by the beautiful vistas and the daily activity already in full swing by the local residents.

There were joggers, workers, and children all proceeding to their destinations or beginning their day with exercise. Further away I could see a group collectively practicing Tai Chi in the park.

The sun shown over the mountaintops in the distance and the breeze rustled through the trees. Oops, I think I’m enchanted.

I was grateful and charmed all at once.

Darlene, Michele and I met in the hotel lobby where breakfast had been arranged. We chatted about our nights’ sleep and discussed the events of the day.

Not long after we sat we were visited by a few of the IFTCCS Interns informing us that we are to go over to the convention center as the events were about to begin. They offered their assistance in the journey though we declined. Everyone was so gracious and helpful this was an unexpected blessing.

I had mentioned in my very first post about this “Gift of Tea” and how I became involved. The information below, that is posted on their website, explains the event.

 

International Forum on Tea Culture, Creativity & Science TAIWAN 2015

 

Co-organized by the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, Tea Research and Extension Station and Nantou County Government, the International Forum on Tea Culture, Creativity & Science TAIWAN 2015 (IFTCCS) will be held from October 8^th – 9^th, 2015 in Caotun, Nantou.

The core idea of this event is “Stylish Tea” as the co-organizers hope to achieve the goal of stylish tea drinking by combining tea-drinking culture and stylish craftsmanship aesthetics.

This year, the themes of tea manufacturing technologies include:

1. Tea Cultural and Creative Industry & Stylish Craftsmanship;
2. The Innovative Development of Tea Ware Technologies;
3. Culture and Art of the Tea Ceremony;
4. Growing and Managing Tea Trees;
5. Tea Processing;
6. Tea and Health.

The forum covers diverse developments in tea culture and interdisciplinary scientific research and development, continuing the passing down of tea culture and, through cross-industrial cooperation of technologies and culture, to inspire creativity and interaction among professionals in the tea industry. In addition, during the time this forum is held, tea space design exhibitions, a national tea manufacturing contest, promotional activities of stylish tea ware, and tea art experiment camps are scheduled to be held to attracting professionals from all over the world to participate. It’s indeed an important event of international tea culture and the scientific domain.

The agenda chocked full of activities for the three days that we would be there.

10/08 (Thu.)

8:30-9:30 Registration Craft Research and Development Center, Nantou

Point-Point Shuttle Bus service available between Tea Expo in Zhong Xing New Village and the center

9:30am-12:30pm Opening Ceremony – Keynote Speeches

1:30pm-4:20pm Paper Presentations

9:00am-12:00am National Tea Manufacturing Contest

9:00am-6:00pm Tea Space Design Exhibition, Promotional Activities for Stylish Tea Ware, Tea Art Experiment Camp, Stone Mixed Media Exhibition, Photo Exhibition, Fine Tea Ware Exhibition, Collected Fine Tea Ware Exhibition

6:00pm-8:00pm Welcoming Party & Tea Culture Show

10/09 (Fri.)

8:00am-9:00am Registration Craft Research and Development Center, Nantou

Point-Point Shuttle Bus service available between Tea Expo in Zhong Xing New Village and the center

9:00am-5:30pm Keynote Speeches – Paper Presentations – Closing Ceremony

0:00-12:00 National Tea Manufacturing Contest

9:00am-6:00pm Tea Space Design Exhibition, Promotional Activity for Stylish Tea Ware, Tea Art Experiment Camp, Stone Mixed Media Exhibition, Photo Exhibition, Fine Tea Ware Exhibition, Collected Fine Tea Ware Exhibition

10/10 (Sat.)

9:00am-5:00pm Space Design Exhibition, Promotional Activity for Stylish Tea Ware, Tea Art Experiment Camp, Stone Mixed Media Exhibition, Photo Exhibition, Fine Tea Ware Exhibition, Collected Fine Tea Ware Exhibition Craft Research and Development Center, Nantou

Point-Point Shuttle Bus service available between Tea Expo in Zhong Xing New Village and the center

As you can see there was very little downtime. Trying to get it all in, along with my state of jet-lagged astir, would be challenging.

We headed over to the convention center that was located a few yards away and across the street.

On our way we passed a mini-festival offering of local crafts.

Have I mentioned the grounds being beautiful, each area was adorned with some special offering of sculpture, greenery or ponds filled with Koi.

Outside the center was a very elaborate set up of machinery used for tea processing. This was part of the tea making competition.

Once inside, as the case at many festivals, we were lead to the registration area where we picked up our badges, translation machines and were pinned with the most beautiful orchids.

The most beautiful flowers enhanced the environment and it was most apparent that the creators maintained a skillful hand.

 

There were people all around and the bustle and excitement was in the air. In one section of the lobby there were oversized posters that exhibited many of the scientific and creative papers that would be discussed.

In addition there were individual tables arranged where various tea masters sat waiting to serve tea.

We were introduced to Yau, whom was our first contact, informing us via e-mail, about this opportunity to come to Taiwan. I was filled with so much emotion gratitude, joy, and humility upon meeting him.

He invited us to sit and enjoy tea with one of the tea masters. Within all the anxiety this was a calming moment for me. The skill of the tea master was extraordinary.

With each precise sweeping motion of her deft brewing skill, it was as if the bustling crowd had disappeared and only we were in the room. She informed us we would be drinking a special tea not yet released for market. I of course, asked for name and number, but was advised that that information was confidential.

The tea? Well let’s just say when it is available I will be making a purchase. The notes were smooth as if I was sipping a white and green tea all at once. The leaves, beautiful bright green buds.

We sipped and relaxed. Once done, we walked around the interior.

I was halted in my step, by a huge placard at the entry to the theatre. There on the card, I spied an entry of my name.

This was real! I was scheduled as the second speaker of the day and would be on at 11:25am.

I felt a shudder envelop my person though I shrugged it off quickly.

The theatre was huge and the stage large. We were directed to our assigned seats at the front of the theatre.

Again I was taken aback to find my name prominently displayed on a reserved seat.

The format of the sessions began with a charismatic announcer and assisting him Carin Wu (Carin is an Assistant Professor at Fashion Design Dept., Asia University, who made our trip very special) she is an educator, jewelry designer and artist. The green display board listed 2 sections above shows her beautiful work. They each took turns providing the attendees with an overview of the session. They would then introduce a distinguished Professor who would preside as session chair/moderator.

This session chair would be seated at the table across from the presenters’ podium. I had never experienced such formal speaking arrangements as a tea presenter. It was quite apparent that in Taiwan, tea is taken very seriously, as it should be.

The first speaker, Professor Akiko Matsunga; National Agriculture & Food Research Organization; NARO Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science, Japan, spoke about tea cultivation, breeding, cultivars and shade-grown tea and discussed a recent new cultivar “SOFU” that was developed in 2002.

Her presentation was fascinating and I so wished that my friends Michael, Eric and Ricardo were sitting with me so we could have a discussion afterwards to explain the more technical side . I did not ask any questions though I’m sure they would have had many.

Also note though I was listening there was a little voice repeating in my head you’re up next… She completed her presentation and answered a few questions. So the voice in my head said, “What? There may be questions!”

I could feel the caterpillars that were residing in my stomach turn into full- grown butterflies that had taken flight. The announcers’ proceeded to give the overview of my presentation.

I rose from my seat and began my walk to the stage. Note, the path was an elevated ramp somewhat like what I have seen on televised award shows.

On that walk, I thought of my friend Lisa and tried to remember what I had learned in her public speaking class.

Alas, it was too late to remember, I just prayed I was practiced enough not to falter on stage. When I reached the podium I said a small prayer and thanked My Maker for the opportunity.

Translator headset on, slides set, the session chair, Prof. Lucy Sun Hwang,  gives an overview of my credentials, and I began to present.

I went through the overview of American Tea consumption and what the trends were today, giving examples as I went along.

When I came to the slide that included an overview of Tea Bloggers, as a vehicle to connect with the American/International consumer, I could feel a tear well up in my eyes and a moment of silence to complete the point.

I composed myself and finished the presentation. The host asked the audience if they had any additional questions and hands shot up all over the room.

My dear friend Darlene said she stopped counting at eight.

Well, I answered them all to the best of my ability and don’t ask me what they were, as I was in a zone.

The audience applauded the session and afterwards many, many persons approached to get more information, exchange business cards and gifts.

Yes! I felt like a “Rock Star”.

One of the gifts was a small green pod and I tucked it away in my bag.

We exited the theatre and were greeted with a lovely break time display that also included coffee. We grabbed a bite then went off to our next adventure.

More to come in the next segment THE LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING WELCOME PARTY