While the first few weeks had me stumbling like a newborn deer an invitation was extended to attend a discussion meeting in Taizhong at China Medical University. The invitation came from a Gabriel Fuentes an acupuncturist and Ph.D student at CMU. The University chief staff members were to greet the U.S. Congressional delegates researching the Taiwanese national health care system. A system that is very efficient and provides amazing care to all it's citizens, while implementing the use Western and Chinese medical modalities! The the official tour of the University started with a grand greeting and an acupuncture and cupping demonstration. Then we got to tour the Chinese herbal pharmacy and dispensary which was fill with countless amounts of granules and raw herbs! As we entered the pharmacy we were offered a freshly brewed ginseng decoction- which by the look of their faces did not go over so well. I could understand their feeling so I felt compelled to tell the people next to me what it was they were drinking and the health benefits involved- don't think that helped HAhaha! Proceeding the tour a formal discussion meeting about Chinese medicine's place in the Taiwanese health care system began and ended with some Q&A time. A banquet dinner was to follow and if not for Eric Brand, I would be in the dark about most of the subtle gestures that can make or break opportunities around the dinner table. Although this was the 3rd dinner banquet and 3rd lesson in Chinese dinning etiquette with Eric there is always something to learn from that man- amazing! Everything matters, from where you sit, who you sit next to, how to receive and except business cards, when and how to toast, what to wear and even how well you can eat and drink says something about "who you are"! The meals at these banquets are so extravagant and since the guests were so important, let's just say no expense was spared. After the 12th dish came out I stopped counting and put a big smile and my face, a deep breath in my belly and greeted dish number 13. As I spoke to those around me I was able to talk to the Washington reps about Chinese medicine and it's clinical relevance and benefits to the general population. We asked if they were considering Chinese medicine to be included in the new healthcare bill for America and the response from them was "we aren't sure of anything- at this point they we are just gathering information". As I shot back that night to Taipei on a bullet train with a pocket full of business cards, a beautiful gift from our host and nice buzz- I felt the joy of a day full experienced. I'm loving it here....
Sorry about the lack of interesting photo's I didn't take as many pictures as I should have ;)
But here are the few I did take- Press Play:
Sorry about the lack of interesting photo's I didn't take as many pictures as I should have ;)
But here are the few I did take- Press Play:
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