Thursday night, I went out for dinner with Meijun, Noodles, and (German) Ben, coz it was Ben's last night of travel in Hualien.

In the course of conversation with Ben, I mentioned that I admire Erwin Rommel, to which he asked why in the style of "Why would you admire a man who killed people?".  I didn't have a good answer.  Hence, last night, I went to Wikipedia to polish up my knowledge of the man...and clarify my opinion.

And here's why I admire him.
(And yes, I do understand he was a soldier, and that soldiers kill people.)

• His disregard for Hitler's inhumane commands.
  Rommel refused to execute Jews and prisoners, and there wasn't a single thing Hitler could do about it, because of Rommel's...
  
• Admiration from both friend & foe.
  Not only did the German people hold in high regard, but also his Allied foes.  Subsequently,...
• Rommel's North African Desert Corp had a post-WW2 record of NO WAR CRIMES.
• His opposition to Hitler's orders.
  He wrote letters protesting against the treatment of the Jews.
  He paid French workers full wages, although he could have enslaved them.
  He gave fallen opponents full military honours.
  He refused to deport Jews from France.
  
• Brilliance - He excelled at the job he did.
• Energy - He put his all into his work and his values.
• Expectations - He expected no less dedication from his subordinates.  Naturally, this created dislike among some of his own ranks.
• Chivalry - In a war known for it's atrocities, Rommel maintained honour.
  He termed the war in North Africa as "Krieg ohne Hass" / "War without hate."  And this was in the face of Nazi Germany, known for its hatreds.
• He died for his values...at the hands of his own.
  Rommel, indirectly associated with the failed attempt to assassinate Hitler, was arrested by the Nazi authorities.  Some say he chose suicide; some say he faced the firing squad.  Either way, they gave him the options of death or (biased) courts.  
• His (unjust) executors buried him with full honours (because the people's esteem for him was so great).
• He is the only member of the Third Reich to have a museum dedicated to him.

So, disregarding the debate on warfare itself, I admire Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel for the excellent and righteous way in which he conducted himself, even to death.


Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel (a.k.a. Wüstenfuchs / Desert Fox)
15 November 1891 – 14 October 1944
....................................................................a noble man in this ignoble age.

Last night, a contact, whom I've not talked to for probably a year or more, called out the blue, and asks me if I'd like to go with him Saturday morning (0730 mind you) "swimming in a river".  Well, as with most things here, I didn't know what to expect, but with no other plans, and this one sounding good, I said yes.

So this morning, he (Alex) picks me up, we meet 2 other guys, have a bite, then drive up toward Taroko Gorge.  Near the Ning-An Bridge, we pull over, and get changed into full wetsuits...dive shoes, wetsuits, and life vests.  Then we head off, into a tunnel big enough for a car.

On emerging, we stood on a causeway-bridge.  I queried who made all these tunnels and things...I've seen this kind of thing in many places.  They told me the power companies.  Makes sense.  These are all maintenance access roads, just like my brothers and I used to bike on in our youth.

This causeway is the start of our adventure proper, started with a 3 meter plunge into the mountain pool.  As the day progressed, we clambered upstream, mostly over boulders, and occassionally needing (or just enjoying) a short swim in the clear waters.  I found that the main leader, Emmanuel, is actually Alex's new business partner.  They're opening a canyoning tour business.  The other guy (A-Le....I don't know) lives in the same building as their new office.

At the top of our climb, we came to a deep, bouldered pool, very suitable for diving.  We spent a few minutes there, taking a short rest before heading down.  I did a couple front flips (which were actually pretty poor, but still impressive...for Taiwan), and something like a dive (i.e. headfirst).  Emmanuel did a couple jumps too, and even A-Le took a 2nd or 3rd jump. 

After returning to the office (which still isn't outfitted), I asked Alex about how all this came together.  Apparently, Emmanuel works for a company that fixes computers at the Hualien Harbour Bureau, where Alex works.  Emmanuel used to be a pool lifeguard, which explains his cut figure and agility of movement.  He then studied computers and moved to Hualien (oddly enough) for work.  Now he's opening this canyoning company. 

This story conflicted with what I'd heard from Emmanuel himself.  He'd said that they knew each other because Emmanuel's landlord was his mother.  This seemed strange at the time.  Moreso later when Alex told me his mother was already dead.  I just realized now that Emmanuel wasn't referring to Alex.  He was talking about A-Le.

On the walk back through the tunnel, Emmanuel began talking to me by asking if I "had any licenses".  I thought this odd, replying that I only had my AUS driving license.  I asked why he asked this question.  He thought I might hold a scuba license, or some kind of activity certification.  It seems (and I don't want to read too much into this, coz I didn't get a lot of what he said) he was impressed with my canyoning skillz, and ...well...I'm not sure...maybe he'd like me to help out with some of the tours, especially if it's a foreigner group.  I'd love to think I could get in on this a bit, because it's so much fun, it's not teaching English, it's outdoors, it's tourism, it's new for me, and over all that, I might get some cash for it.

However, I know that my desires could easily be influencing my interpretation of what he said and his purposes.  I gave him my namecard, made sure he knew that I really enjoyed the trip, and am gonna let things settle a bit.  If God is opening a door here, then things will continue to move forward.  It's all been unexpected thus far, and I'm confident God knows what He's doing, so I'm not worried. 

By the way, if you're interested, a 1/2 day trip costs 1000NT, and a full day between 1800NT-2000NT.  Of course, if you get in before things set, I'm sure 'special arrangements' could be made.  ;)

 

Sorry Taiwan.  You didn't rob me of my favourite, most loved coat ever.  It was neatly folded and packed away in a section of my mega-suitcase.  This is the SKY BLUE coat that has gone with me to Tasmania, (probably SA, Vic., NSW, and ACT too), Western Australia, Finland & Scandinavia, across Australia, through Singapore, and to Taiwan.  I thought it'd been lost / stolen on my initial train TPE-HUA train journey.

But oh!...no......here it is!  My beloved blue polar fleece coat!  Apologies to Taiwan!  (I'm still waiting for the blue and yellow cap that disappeared at that same time, though.)  Blue coat....it's so warming to have you back again....your warm fluffiness, blueness, and coatiness.  And that smell too.  mmmmm......

Ok....back to packing for AUS.  Maybe....just maybe....that cap will appear.