Peace Island

Peace Island used to be called Sheliao (社寮) Island. There are two bridges connecting Peace Island and Keelung, Peace Bridge (the first concrete sea bridge in Taiwan, built in 1937) and Sheliao Bridge. Inbetween Peace Island and Keelung is Bachimen (八尺門) Strait. 

I decided to venture to Keelung for the second time this week, with an aim to enjoy a decent meal at a fancy restaurant. All cafes in Taipei are yet to be open to the public to dine in due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

I left home at 8:30, bought a Taiwanese egg pancake at Xuda (旭達), a famous breakfast shop at the street corner near the bus step, got on Bus 951 at 8:50. Bus 951 runs every 10 minutes, it is mainly for commuters working in Xindian, Nankang, Xizhi. I used to hate commuting by bus, now I have a different mood sharing the bus with office employees, I’m now a free senior to go anywhere I want.

At 9:55, I got on the local train to Keelung from Xizhi, I took the North Exit of Keelung Train Station for the first time. When I saw the sign to Huzishan (虎仔山) where the Keelung Landmark Observatory (基隆地標) is located, I didn’t hesitate to see the lankmark in person, as I took Cruise "Explore Dream" to offshore islands three times last year, everytime I saw the white Keelung Landmark on the hill when the cruise departed from Keelung Harbor.

At the entrance of Alley 113 of Zhangshan Road, I saw the sign of Keelung Hollywood, I climbed countless breath taking hilly steps till I reached the abandoned Taiping elementary school (太平國小). Under a huge maple tree at the parking lot in front of the school, I searched for my recorder, but couldn't find it, so I practiced singing aloud in stead.

At 12 noon, I got on Bus 101 to Peace Island, got off at Alabao Bay where Sheliao bridge is located. Originally I planned to have a decent lunch at Peace Island Park, but on the second thought, I stopped by a familiar seafood restaurant at Alabao Bay where I enjoyed luxious Chinese mitten crabs with my Korea-born Chinese friends last Autumn.

After lunch, I walked across the Peace Bridge and took Bus 101 back to Keelung Train Station, got off the local train at Xizhi Station, and took Bus 951 back to Xindian! I had only 20 points left in my senior bus and metro card for July.

Waimushan Seaside Boulevard

Hooray! Covid-19 Alert Level dropped from 3 to 2 in Taiwan today! Nevertheless all cafes are still not allowed for the public to enjoy meals indoors in New Taipei City, so I ventured to Keelung to enjoy my first meal at a fancy resturant on the coastline. Gosh, it felt good to live like a decent human being again since Alert Level 3 was enforced in May 15, 2021.

It’s a hot and sunny Tuesday. I got on Bus 951 at MRT Dapingling (大坪林) Station at 10:00, got off Bus 951 at Xizhi Xizhi (汐止) Train Station. I took the 10:55 local train 1158 from Xizhi to Keelung. While on train, I put on the suntan cream I bought at Coni yesterday afternoon. I don’t mind getting tanned, but I hope I can avoid a few dark spots on my cheeks and arms.

At the South Gate of Xizhi Train Station, I tried to look for Bus 308 or 310 to Waimushan (外木山), but I couldn’t find their arriving time on the LED board. I asked local senior citizens for information, they suggested I took Bus 302 and got off at Zhongshan High School (中山高中), then walked to Waimu in less than 10 minutes. 

I was grateful for the valuable travelling information from the local residents. One lady told me to get on the bus from the front to tap my senior card. Because in Keelung, passengers tap the bus card only once, not like in Taipei, passengers need to tap bus card twice on and off the bus. Another senior couple reminded me of getting off at the following bus stop and making a left turn before they got off Bus 302. I felt the friendliness of Taiwanese people again. It's been a couple of months, people are required to keep the social distance, and are discourgaed to chat in public. 

At 12 noon, I arrived at Waimushan Seaside Boulevard (湖海路)，I saw for the first time the Sea Mango trees with many fruits at the Hsieh-ho Power Plant Community Center (協和社區). I tried to collect a couple of ripen sea mangos hanging from the trees with the help of my umbrella. The green fruits look just like ordinary mangos, the red ones look like passion fruits. In Hawaii, sea mangos are called "suicide apple", because they are deadly poisonous. Fortunately, I didn’t try a bite of the poisonous apple like Princess Snow White did when her step-mother handed her a half-bitten one.

The most exciting spot of Waimushan Seaside Boulevard, in my opinion, is the Haixing Sea Swimming Pool in the Taiwan Strait. While seeing many people enjoy swimming and scuba diving, I had an urge to purchase diving gears to turn myself into a mermaid. 

Route North 31

It’s Monday, the last day of minor Covid-19 Level 3 Alert in Taiwan, how could I not venture out to document the historic moment! Today I explored the Route North 31 (N31) connecting Xizhi and Pingxi（平溪）for the first time.

It’s a hot and sunny Monday. I got on Bus 951 at MRT Dapingling Station at 10:05, got off Bus 951 at Xioufeng（秀峰）High School at 10:55, walked through the Magpie Alley（喜鵲巷） to the Xizhi（汐止）Train Station.  

At 11:10, I got on Free New Taipei Bus F920 running between Xizhi and Pingxi back and forth every two hours. I got off F920 at Jiangziliao Vista Point at 11:20 at 9K of N31. While strolling around the resting area, I saw two kittens lying beneath a stone chair. North 31 is a friendly and pleasant country road with many resting areas along the road.

I didn't know clearly how long N31 was. Originally I thought N31 was only 12 kilometers long. As I was already at 9K of N31, I didn't hesitate to attempt the Jiangzitou（姜子頭）Mountain (507M) at 9.5K, when I saw a trail sign hanging from the tree. It was a short and easy trail of 350 meters. When I arrived at the top of the mountain at 11:50, I saw the mapping control point. I took out the recorder, played a few children songs accompanied by Muller's Barbet（五色鳥）singing sweetly in the trees. 

At 12:30, at 11.5K of N31, I saw another trail sign to Five Four Vertical Hiking Trail（五四緃走）, but I dared not to take the challenge by myself.

At 12:40, I arrived at Monolith Ridge（磐石嶺）at 12K, the highest point of N31, also the boardline between Xizhi and Pingxi. At the highest Pavilion overlooking the surrounding lofty mountain grandeur and feel the gentle breeze, I enjoyed my lunch break. 

After lunch, as I walked further along N31, I saw the Monolith Ridge Trail Direction Broad, I decided to try the trail without much hesitation, as the short cut trail in the forest might save me some time in stead of walking on the main road in the sun. It took me one hour to complete the one kilometer mountain trail. It was a chalenging trail, I needed to climb up and down the mountains with the help of wire rope, and I took off my shoes twice to walk across the streams.

Back to N31 at 15.3K, it started raining. How lucky I was, the climate was in favor of me, not having to climb the mountains holding the umbrella. On my way to Pingwi at 16.5K of N31, I saw Bus F920. The sooner I raised my hand, the bus stopped and took me all the way to Lingjiao（嶺腳）Train Station, and I rode the same bus back to Xizhi at 3:40. 

It was a day of achievement to explore the Route North 31. I love free New Taipei City Buses that take me to all the remote country sides in New Taipei City.

Xiaoken III Road

Sunny Sunday morning, I decided to push myself to attempt an unknown mountain trail in Hsin-dian with the Yamaha recorder in my backpack, as I’ve been taking enough rest at home for past three consecutive days due to In-Fa typhoon.

I got on Songjiang Xinsheng（松江新生） Metro Bus at Dapingling（大坪林）Station at 10:00, arrived at Xindian（新店）Station at 10:10, got on the free New Taipei Tutang（塗潭） Bus at Xindian Station at 10:20, got off at Xiaoken III Road（小坑三路）at 10:50. I was a little anxious about the new route I was about to explore till the bus driver told me that an old man hiked the same route almost every week. 

It was an easy walk, mostly downhill, I didn't get lost. The road signs are well displayed. I had my lunch at Changfu（長福）Temple at 1:30, got on free New Taipei Guangxin（廣興） Bus at Guangxin Bay Park at 2:15 and arrived at Qichang（七張）Metro Station at 2:45. It was refreshing to hike in the mountains after the typhoon, the mountain streams full of water were spectacular.

In addition to exercise the body, I enjoyed making acquaintance with local residents while hiking on the unknown trail. At Xiaoken I Raod, I was invited to have a cup of sweet potato leaves tea by a gentleman of my age. His family has been living there for more than a century. They used to grow tea and tangerines and made a fortune.  

My college classmate rode her electric bike to my parents’ place with her husband at 6:30. We kept on talking until 9:00. It’s nice to have a college classmate living in the neighborhood.

Play the Soprano Recorder

Of course, the highlight of Today is none other than the Opening Ceremony of 2021 Tokyo Olympics. I bet most people look forward to watching the world's biggest sports event long overdue.

As for me, guess what's new with me? I’m learning a new trick now, to blow a recorder!

I bought a recycled Yamaha plastic recorder at Fu-he Flee Market for 10 NT dollars two years ago. It’s been sitting on my desk since then. Why out of the blue did I start playing with the recorder?

Firstly, a recorder is light to carry. I put it in my backpack whenever I hike in the mountains. While taking a rest in the mountains, I can blow the recorder when there is nobody! Isn’t a recorder designed and made by and for the mountain people in the first place?

Secondly, during the 2+ months period of Covid-19 Alert 3 Level from May 15th, my college classmate and I produced a weekly broadcasting program for Taipei Medical University 623 LINE group. Every Thursday afternoon, we made a short clip of 3 minutes talking and singing program to cheer up our classmates. A recorder is an easy to learn musical instrument, therefore I’m learning the recorder diligently. 

The recorder is a woodwind musical instrument that was popular as early as the 14th century. It produces a soft, flute-like sound. Compared to other instruments, the recorder is relatively easy to play, making it a great first instrument for kids or novice musicians. Recorders are a good stepping stone to harder blowing instruments that are held vertically, such as oboe or clarinet.

I still have hard time blowing gently into the recorder to produce a consistent sound. Blowing softly with a steady stream of air is one of the most difficult but important techniques as you begin to play recorder.  

https://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-Recorder

Playing the recorder is a good fingers movement exercise. As it is easy to learn for young children, it is also friendly for senior citizens to excercise fingers and brain to keep away the progressive A'alzheimer's. Hopefully, once I am better at blowing the recorder, I can teach seniors to play the recorder at a day care center.

B note 0 1 - - - - - -
A note 0 12 - - - - -
G note 0 123 - - - -
C' note 0 - 2 - - - - -
D' note - - 2 - - - - -
E note 0 123 45 - -
D note 0 123 456 -
F note 0 123 4 – 67
F# note 0 123 - 56 -
C note 0 123 4567

Typhoon In-Fa

As Typhoon In-Fa (202106) is approaching Taiwan, I didn't go outdoors, in stead I stayed home and watched the Broadway Musical of Jekyll & Hyde featuring David Hasselhoff. I first knew the musical throught the song “Once Upon a Dream” last week, I attempted to sing aloud a couple of times till I got familiar with the tune. Luckily, I picked up the DVD from Taipei City Library this morning, and watched it at home on a rainy afternoon day. At the end of the show, David made a statement to advise people to be prepared for the moment, and not to give up till the dream comes true. I could sing better "Once Upon a Dream" after seeing Emma's performance in the musical. 

https://www.allmusicals.com/j/jekyllhyde.htm

When this all began... I knew there'd be a price...

Once upon a dream,
I was lost in love's embrace.
There I found a perfect place,
Once upon a dream.
Once there was a time
Like no other time before.
Hope was still an open door
Once upon a dream.
And I was unafraid,
The dream was so exciting.
But now I see it fade
And I am here alone!
Once upon a dream
You were heaven sent to me.
Was it never meant to be?
Are you just a dream?
Could we begin again
Once upon a dream

貫徹始終

給自己拍拍手，自己的起心動念，自己的堅持，終於在今天劃下了句點—新冠三級六十篇。是的，從小唱到大的中華民國國歌，最後兩句就是「一心一德，貫徹始終」，凡事一旦下定決定，就全力以赴，完成計畫。最近宅在家，追演劇的人對Netflix創辦人Marc Randolph的名言一定不陌生吧，「成功在於付諸行動」。

三民主義，吾黨所宗；以建民國，以進大同。 咨爾多士，為民前鋒；夙夜匪懈，主義是從。 矢勤矢勇，必信必忠；一心一德，貫徹始終。

今天7月12日入伏，8月21日出伏，三伏天總計40天，韓國人流行「以熱制熱」的說法，喝參雞湯、熱水泡腳，三伏天多吃溫補的食物，減少在空調房內的時間，利用三伏四十天的時間，把體內的寒氣逼出體外。三伏天是冬病夏治的好時機，所謂《冬病》就是好發於冬天的疾病，或在冬季加重的病變；而《夏治》就是利用夏季氣溫高，身體陽氣充沛的時機，進行身體的調治，預防冬季舊疾復發，或減輕疾病的症狀。夏天，尤其是是一年當中陽氣最旺盛的時候，也是調養人體陽氣的最佳時機。

今天上午10:30搭新巴士廣興線，七張捷運站只有我一人上車，新店總店有四名乘客上車，一名在紫竹林寺下車，三名在廣興國小下車，我一路專車坐到元廣路4K處，請司機讓我下車，開始今天的健行訓練。元廣路土雞城林立，配合三級警戒的微解封，各家餐廳都已準備就諸，餐桌餐椅都已擺好，就等賓客上門了。

元廣路5K處有三四棵巨大的蓮霧樹，檢起地上三顆，嚐嚐看，味道還可以。在元廣路5.5K處的十字路口（202巷）右轉往孟鴻土雞城，見叉路右轉，路的盡頭有條乾涸的溪流，坐在橋上，看見有個小水塘有不少魚，魚不吃蓮霧，但對麵包屑有興趣，爭相搶食，真不知那些魚是否從元廣溪逆流而上的？12:00到元廣路201巷的腦寮坪瑞興宮「廣坑福地三周水，興澤佑人百歲心」休息、午餐，欣賞山嵐風景。

12:20在元廣路6K處見一位老翁在自家前庭修理摩托車，上前搭訕，聽老翁講人生故事。老翁民國26年生，家中獨子，老松國小畢業，初中沒考上，跟人當學徒，從事過各種行業，雖然大字不識幾個，但對數字很有概念，40多年前搬到元廣路定居，當時週邊還很荒涼，僅一條小山路，幾戶人家，不似今日路寛車多，每天還有六班的免費社區巴士。

老翁聽女兒的話，沒有打疫苗，老翁有子有孫，假日兒孫一同，跟老翁聊圔家團圓，其樂融融。跟老翁聊天一個多小時到1:30，繼續趕到育空，搭2:00新巴士廣興線回七張捷運站。再度經過老翁家，瞄到老翁在前庭的身影，但我未曾回頭打招呼。也許對老翁而言，今日下午自動送上門能言善道的老嫗，何日能再相見呢？「山中相送罷，日暮掩柴扉，春草明年綠，王孫歸不歸？」王維的詩在耳邊響起。

新冠三級警戒期間，養成天天在山間田野健行的習慣，對未來的日子會有多少的影響，很難說，以人類好逸惡勞的本性來看，能夠跟三五好友聚餐，又何必一個人頂著大太陽，背著乾糧，折磨自己呢？但我還是非常肯定自己二個月來的堅持與努力，在炎炎夏日鍛鍊一付好身體，今年冬天這條母老虎還是會上山，與大自然心神合一吧。 

詩情畫意

「你快樂嗎？我很快樂！快樂到底是個什麼東西？快樂其實也沒有什麼道理，快樂就是這麼容易的東西，Don't worry，Be happy！」庾澄慶的快樂頌，如是說。古人說人生四大樂事「久旱逢甘霖，他鄉遇故知，洞房花燭夜，金榜提名時」，我對「他鄉遇故知」比較有感，在國外旅遊時，只到聽到有人說國語，我一定上前，哈拉兩句。蘇東坡的十六件樂事中，我包了一半「暑至臨溪濯足；花塢樽前微笑；午倦一方藤枕；接客不著衣冠；乞得名花盛開；飛來家禽自語；客至汲泉烹茶；撫琴聽者知音。」

今天上午10:20約北管的朋友在七張捷運站對面的康是美見面，面交所託《三仙白》的英譯稿，朋友送我三個聖瑪莉的司康當謝禮。北管朋友見我對扮仙戲碼興緻勃勃，另外又交付《蟠桃會》及*《醉八仙》請我幫忙中譯英，我也不好推託。

10:35一上新巴士龜山線，我先送一個聖瑪莉的蔓越莓司康給司機。司機星期二（7/6）上午10:00注射moderna第一劑，下午3:00開始紅腫，腫脹三天才消。龜山線今天龜山線有四名乘客，二名在生活家下車，一名在龜山活動中心下車。當新巴士經過桂山冰品部時，看到車隊很長，等買冰棒，司機說一到假日有時車隊會排到萬年橋。我己忘了今天是假日，只知道離微解封只有最後二天。從五月中開始，心裡只有一個目標，就是搭乘無人公車，獨自一人新北山林走透透，每天日子過得太充實，太快樂了，幾乎忘了什麼叫星期？什麼叫月？我在龜山線的終點站下車。

終點站附近的針葉林蒼天，可聽到溪水聲，我喜歡在此練歌。今天練習「How Great Thou Art」的第二段，讚美大自然的神奇。坐在草地上，看到路旁架有全新安裝的塑膠大水管，才幾天沒上山來，桂山路就有了新的變化。

When through the woods, And forest glades I wander
I hear the birds, Sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down, From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook, And feel the gentle breeze,
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

今天的目的地是桂山路的深處，在往水庫的叉路，看到一輛計程車往左行，我就跟著走到底，路邊有工人在噴除草劑，路的盡頭拉起一條繩，以為沒路了。噴除草劑的工人說該路是國有地，裡面有條狗會咬人，下次再去看看那條會咬人的狗。

前次跟大學同學一起往水庫的方向，走了一百公尺就在路邊休息、練歌。今天我決定一直走，以為會到水庫，沒想到在林蔭小徑走了至少二公里，還不見盡頭，一路沒人，但看到小山雞，也聽到狗叫。為了不想錯過下午1:30的新巴士，只好打道回府，下次一定要穿越這條人煙罕至的小徑，一直走到路的盡頭，一探水庫的究竟。我想到了Robert Frost的「The Road Not Taken」。我不想有遺憾，所以有了Sherry Li的「Both Roads Well Taken」的想法，二條路都走過，而且不只走一次.

下午1:30在桂山路的2K處攔新巴士，在桂山電廠冰品處，車隊依舊很長，夏天來支桂山冰棒，一想起來，就全身涼了起來。

註*: 醉八仙

四文四武跳台
金母口白：瑤池金母法無邊，蟠桃一熟幾千年；積善之家福祿滿，慶賀人間不老仙。吾乃：瑤池金母是也，今乃蟠桃大會，相邀眾仙前到華堂慶賀，童兒！
童兒：有。
金母：眾仙可曾到嘛？
童兒：未曾到。
金母：若是到來，即來通報！
童兒：領法意。
八仙出台
八仙：眾仙請了。
八仙台引：海上蟠桃初熟；人間歲月如流；開花結子千秋；紫菜紅粱喫口；昔日韓朋初現；卻被方朔三盜；今日得取瀛州；前到華堂祝壽。
八仙：眾仙請了。
七仙：請了。不知金母相邀，有何法意？
七仙：道也不知，一同前到華堂，看個明白。
七仙：言之有理。
八仙：眾仙請了。
七仙：到此華堂！
大仙：到此華堂，一同請出金母。
八仙：金母有請。
金母：南山松柏老，北斗慶長春。
八仙：金母在上，眾仙稽首。
金母：眾仙免禮。
八仙：不知金母相邀，有何法意。
金母：眾仙那裡知道，今日乃是蟠桃大會，相邀眾仙，前到華堂慶賀。
八仙：如此金母請先，我等隨後。
金母：童兒。
童兒：有。
金母：鉧駕起祥雲
童兒：領法意。
八仙：眾仙請也了。
八仙：到此華堂。
金母：請眾仙各吟詩一首。
八仙：領法意。
一仙：海屋仙島添鶴算。
二仙：萬丈飛鵝碧波天。
三仙：靈芝年年生瑞草。
四仙：歲歲屋屋把秋遷。
五仙：麻姑進酒三晉爵。
六仙：錦上添花似錦仙。
七仙：青鸞跨鶴離海島。
八仙：慶賀人間福壽綿。
八仙：吟詩已畢。
金母：一同拜壽。
八仙：請。
八仙：拜壽已畢。
金母：拜壽已畢，眾仙且慢分散，待金母排下萬年瓊漿，與眾仙同飲。
八仙：多謝金母。
金母：童兒！
童兒：有。
金母：將酒宴排開。
童兒：領法意。
八仙：眾仙把盞 。
八仙：請金母起金杯。
金母：眾仙同飲。
八仙：眾仙請了。
金母：眾仙多飲幾杯。
八仙：眾仙醉了。
金母：眾仙，眾仙，嗨！眾仙醉了，童兒。
童兒：將酒宴收起，各歸洞府。
童兒：領法意。
八仙：好酒也！啊哈哈哈，哇哈哈！

北勢溪自行車道

有時心裡想耍廢，但身體不聽話，身體已習於固定的模式，硬是要按著生理時鐘的運作，起床、盥洗、早餐、整裝出門，又是新的一天，24-7的三級警戒新冠抗疫特戰行動！

今天上午9:00出門，到建國市場買了燒餅夾油條、糯米飯糰當午餐。到新店區公所站，時間還早，忍不住咬了一口燒餅夾油條，愈吃愈好吃，還是剛出爐的燒餅最可口，只是不能大大方方的吃，只能遮遮掩掩地吃，吃到一半，公車來了。　

9:33搭上新店客運923往坪林，比起私家車，我比較喜歡搭乘公車，公車又高又寛、視野又好。10:10扺達坪林國中，隨即搭上往南山寺的新巴士，乘客只有我一人，好像是專家接送。請司機在北42的4.5K處九芎坑路口讓我下車，今天並非前往虎寮潭，而是專程為路口的蓮霧樹而來，我興高彩烈地摘了約三斤的蓮霧，真是大豐收。

從北42的4K走到3K，過新昇2號橋，看到*「北勢溪右岸自行車道」的標誌，往雙坪路一段100~102號的叉路而下，走到自行車專用車道。今天自行車專用車道旁的北勢溪的河川在動工，工程人員忙著工作。我很高興自行車專用車道沒封，在1.5K處休息、唱歌、吃蓮霧、喝茶。

走到自行車專用車道1K處，看到黃色禁止通行的布條，我就地休息，看人在溪裡釣魚，魚兒連續上鉤，我在岸邊大聲賀彩，釣客神采飛揚。我決定守法，不再走到自行車專用車道了，其實我是怕被罰款，當然花錢事小，上了媒體就糗大了，雖然我不是名人，但也不願被報導成某位老嫗不甘寂寞，硬闖禁區。

走下坑子口路回北42，一路上坡，中途在路邊午餐，解決了糯米飯糰，喝了一瓶水，吃了三顆蓮霧，以減輕背包的重量。12:30重回北42的2K處，由於是下坡，不到半小時就走回坪林老街。1:05到坪林國中，獨自一人練唱歌，直到有其他二位乘客出現，1:30在坪林國中搭公車932回新店。

註*：「北勢溪自行車道」起點從下坑子口開始，沿著下坑子口溪及北勢溪的溪岸，全長約 2.3 公里。步道的入口在坪林行控中心旁的高架橋下，設有公廁、小型停車場，毗鄰下坑子口溪。北勢溪自行車道寬闊平緩，也是一條適合闔家出遊的踏青路線。北勢溪自行車道被譽為北台灣最美的自行車道，沿途可見清澈見底的溪流及魚群，還能近距離接觸到山巒及茶園。

新冠朝聖

俗語說「冥冥之中自有定數」，7/7（三）上午沒能趕上公車819到深坑，改搭公車918到泰山。今天上午到了深坑國小新巴士站牌，才看到深坑區公所的公告，「為維護乘客安全，本區新巴士駕駛員7/7（三）施打疫苗，土庫尖停駛一日，造成不便，敬請見諒」。還好星期三我沒搭上公車819，否則到了深坑國小，我還是無法前往土庫岳登山步道。

今天上午8:50在大坪林搭上公車819，9:30扺達深坑國小，由於時間還早，先逛了深坑街的早市，看到警察在驅離攤販，繞到文化街，經過深坑國小、深坑國中，一直到景美溪，再原路往回走，9:50到深坑國小新巴士站牌，聽三位等車老阿嬤的對話，A嘮叨自家女兒、B數落A的不是、C路見不平，不同意B的說法，三人東一句西一句，足可以寫成一篇廣播劇。10:00到土庫尖的新巴士F711先到，我上了車，三位還在等F713到大坑的新巴士。

今天是本週第二次搭新巴士F711，司機都記得我了，星期一搭新巴士F711，在崩山福德宮下車，今天星期五搭新巴士F711，10:15在土庫尖福德宮下車。近日參拜了不少福德宮，冥冥之中好像是在完成新冠*朝聖（Pilgrimage）之旅。土庫尖福德宮後山的視野很好，可看到深坑文山路一段的電廠，可聽到蟬鳴五色鳥叫，吹著山風，喝著包種茶，休息十分鐘。

10:25到土庫尖路上的土庫岳登山步道口，開始今天的登山之旅，爬了一百公尺到大坪街，走到大坪街的土庫岳登山步道口，一上山就看到一棵巨大的迎賓蓮霧樹，兩顆剛掉到地上的蓮霧被我相中，大搖大擺地坐在步道中間，吃了起來。土庫岳登山步道非常親民，一路都鋪了枕木，沿路也有木椅可供休息，三不五時就可見里程木樁，走到半路遇到山友，告知今日望高寮山頂正在進行除草工程。

土庫岳望高寮今天非常熱鬧，有三名工人在除草，還有一位來自韓國釜山的華僑，在土庫教會當牧師。我把握機會用已生疏二個月的韓語跟牧師交談，接著我試著唱了幾首韓國歌，當我用韓文唱月亮代表我的心時，華僑牧師很驚訝居然在土庫的山上遇到長在台灣的老嫗會唱韓國歌，而且對韓國如屬家珍。最後跟牧師一同下山，土庫尖路上的土庫岳登山步道口搭牧師的車下山，先到土庫教會門口，牧師再送我到木柵文山行政中心。我認識三位韓國華僑大媽都是教友，下次有機會介紹大家互相認識。

今天能登上土庫岳，非常高興。土庫岳設有**一等三角點、衛星點、重力點及一等天文點基石，為國防與測量上的重要地標。台北盆地週邊有5個一等三角點，東邊為深坑土庫岳（標高389M），南邊為新店獅仔頭山，北邊為北投七星山（標高1120M），西邊為樹林大棟山（標高405M），東北方為雙溪的燦光寮山（標高738M）。

從木柵文山行政中心，沿著木柵路三段，走到木柵福德宮，進宮參拜，休息十分鐘，走到興隆路，搭綠2回新店。

註*：A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good, through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life.

**一等三角點：三角點是土地三角測量的基礎點，一般以三角點間的距離或展望良好程度，分一、二、三、四等，視野長度依序為45、8、4、 2公里 ，四等三角點又稱圖根點，為測量標高基點。

神秘嘉賓

中央流行疫情指揮中心今日宣布三級警戒再度延長至7月26日，但20個場所7月13日開始有條件微解封。終別盼到了新型冠狀病毒（COVID-19）本土疫情趨緩，對我而言，只要可以到圖書館借書還書，就天下太平了，我可就此收兵，不再搭公車，大老遠跋涉山林了！

下午2:00到大學同學家練唱歌，同學準備了仙草凍綠豆湯，紅茶加檸檬汁，鳳梨及葡萄拼盤，在冷氣房裡吃著喝著唱著，我是以音樂治療師的身份到府服務，應該沒有違反政府三級警戒的規定吧！

接著請同學跟她老公一起嘗試北管的*「扮仙戲」，我們是用北京話對白，未來希望以泉州話上場，在623同學生日趴時演出。我的北管朋友最近疫情宅在家突發奇想，希望解封後演出英語版的「扮仙戲」，我受託幫她中翻英，希望不負所託，讓洋人也能欣賞台灣民間演劇活動中的最重要的開場戲，先扮仙為信徒祈福，然後再表演正式戲文。

下午4:00上傳3分01秒「未來時光」的音檔到大學同學LINE群組，623同學D的太座的學校，國文老師出了一份網路教學作業，要求學生選擇自己喜歡的歌，改編歌詞，623 同學D就跟著玩起來了，彈著吉他，唱著他改編的歌曲，成為本日「623時光機」的神秘嘉賓。大學同學LINE群組在623同學積極地參與下，內容五花八門，有聲有色，好不熱鬧。6:15在夕陽的餘輝中，騎腳踏車，帶著大學同學的愛心扮手禮，三棵碩大的玉井芒果，從中央新村回自立街的家。

註*：扮仙戲是利用寺廟慶典與神明聖誕的日子，以吉祥的戲劇人物演出戲情，說唱吉利福壽的慶祝詩詞，戲劇人物會依據延請者的目的或廟神、村落大姓，而有所不同。一般寺廟慶典與神明聖誕，演天上的福祿壽星； 道教宮觀則演八仙；如果地方人士的壽誕，企業家的慶賀或政治升官，會以歷史上真人真事的吉祥人物，來表達真正的祈求。

三仙的祝福，《三仙白》主要角色有福、祿、壽三仙及魁星、麻姑、白猿， 描述寺廟神明千秋華誕，福祿壽三仙下凡前往慶賀，其過程是：福仙上臺唱「崑頭」、唸定場詩，作自我介紹並說明今日乃某廟宇某神明千秋華誕，祂邀請二位老仙一同前往祝賀，然後祿仙、壽仙上臺一同駕祥雲前往祝賀。到了華堂，福仙獻魁星，祝福信徒金榜題名、一門雙魁。祿仙獻麻姑，祝福主人壽比南山龜鶴遐齡，壽仙則獻出白猿祝福主人長生不老。拜壽完畢，三仙各歸天曹。最後合道：「榮華富貴千年享，福如東海壽南山，福祿財喜永流傳」。三仙白無唱腔，所有過場均以嗩吶吹牌，故其時間相當自由；一般三段演完約在廿分鐘左右。

福仙據說是周文王，文王有百子，多子在傳統觀念中就是福氣；祿仙據傳是富可敵國的石崇；壽仙是八百二十高壽的彭祖。福祿壽三仙代表民眾希望有福氣、有財富和長壽。福祿壽三仙所獻之寶也有其象徵義，福仙獻魁星，「魁星祝壽獻秋闈，獻出月中丹桂蕊，御筆親點狀元郎，果然一門點雙魁」，魁星所代表的是功名，象徵人民希望狀元高中、一門雙魁；祿仙獻麻姑，「麻姑祝壽獻瓊漿，獻出瑞氣滿廳堂，慶祝南山萬年壽，龜鶴遐齡二八丈」，麻姑獻壽代表民眾希望長命百歲；壽仙獻白猿，「白猿祝壽獻蟠桃，獻出長生永不老，福祿壽仙齊下降，好個麒麟萬丈高」，白猿獻蟠桃象徵希望長生不老。

福  仙：年年壽花紅， Every year on Birthday

祿  仙：天橋鐵鎖開， The Heaven Gate Opens

壽  仙：三仙齊下界， Descend three gods

三仙同：福祿壽仙來。 Fortune, Wealth, Longevity

福  仙：東華福仙， I'm God of Fortune

祿  仙：西岐祿仙， I'm God of Wealth

壽  仙：南極壽仙。 I'm God of Longevity

福  仙：眾仙請了， A big Welcome!

祿壽白：請了。 Many Thanks for the invitation!

祿壽白：不知大仙相召有何法意？ May we know the occasion for today?

福  仙：眾仙那裡知道，今日乃是福主人千秋華誕，相召眾仙前到華堂祝壽。As you know, it's the birthday of Mr. so-and-so. We are invited to celebrate the birthday!

祿壽白：如此大仙請先，我等隨後。 It's our honor. After you!

三仙同：護送人，一同駕起祥雲。 Guardian angels! Ride the high Clouds!

祿壽同：到了華堂，不知福仙帶有何寶前來慶賀？ Here we are at the Grand Hall. What does the God of Fortune have to offer?

福  仙：小仙帶有魁星前來慶賀。 I brought along the Kui Star!

祿壽同：何不獻上？ Our eyes are open!

福  仙：來啊！魁星走堂。 Ladies and Gentlemen, A big round of applause to welcome the Kui Star!

福  仙：二位老仙，此魁星有詩句讚語。My dear friends, The Kui Star has wishing messages!

祿壽同：有何讚語？ We are all ears!

福  仙：魁星獻秋貴，月宮陳槐壘，單點狀員郎，一筆點雙魁。 

Kui Star, the God of Literature

with the ancient branch from Moon Palace

Singles out the top of the test

Two champions in one

三仙同：好啊，好的魁星也。 Bravo! Best wishes from the Kui Star

福祿同：不知祿仙帶有何寶前來慶賀？ What does the God of Wealth have to offer?

祿  仙：小仙帶有麻姑前來慶賀。 I brought along the Lady Ma!

福壽同：何不獻上？ Our eyes are open!

祿  仙：來啊，麻姑走堂。 Ladies and Gentlemen, A big round of applause to welcome the Lady Ma!

祿  仙：二位老仙，此麻姑有詩句讚語。 My dear friends, The Lady Ma has wishing messages!

福壽同：有何讚語？ We are all ears!

祿  仙：麻姑獻瓊漿，瑞氣滿華堂，慶祝人間壽，富貴與天長。

Lady Ma, the Goddess of Longevity

with the fragrance of Nectar in the Grand Hall

Celebrates the Birthday Star on Earth

Long Live Mr. so and so 

三仙同：好啊，好的麻姑也。 Brava! Best wishes from the Lady Ma

福祿同：不知壽仙帶有何寶前來慶賀？ What does the God of Longevity have to offer?

壽  仙：老仙帶有白猿前來慶賀。 I brought along White Monkey!

福祿同：何不獻上？ Our eyes are open!

壽  仙：來啊！白猿走堂。Ladies and Gentlemen, A big round of applause to welcome the White Monkey!

壽  仙：二位老仙，此白猿有詩句讚語。 My dear friends, The White Monkey has wishing messages!

福祿同：有何讚語？ We are all ears!

壽  仙：白猿獻財寶，三仙元不老，眾仙來慶賀，麒麟萬丈高。

White Money, the Monkey King

Offers tons of treasures 

with three gods among many angels

and a huge Qilin

三仙同：好啊，好的白猿也。 Bravo! Best wishes from the White Monkey

三仙同：獻寶已畢，一同拜壽，請了。 That concludes the offering of treasures. Let's take a bow to the birthday star.

三仙同：拜壽已畢，各歸洞府。 That concludes the birthday party celebtation. It is time we went home?

祿壽同：護送人啊！各歸天堂。 Guardian angles, Back to the Heaven!