An Old Lady I Met in Ruisui

張貼日期：Jan 06, 2015 11:34:33 AM

Rain Rong

Ever since I could remember, my mom has always told me that I should be alert when going out especially I am a girl because there are some bad guys outside, and I cannot listen to a stranger who talks to me or I would be easily cheated. I’ve no doubt about that but since I met the old lady in Ruisui, Hualien, my view has changed.

It was a strong sunny day. My friend and I were just arriving in Ruisui Station after standing on the train for more than four hours. We were exhausted, and what’s worse, there was not a single taxi. Time went by and we decided to walk, looking for a taxi as we went. Unexpectedly, a passing car stopped; its window rolled down and a friendly voice said, “Have you come far?” The driver was an old lady! “Where are you going? I can give you a ride.” She continued. My friend and I were so surprised that we didn’t know what to say because we haven’t met this situation before. Then when I recalled what my mom had told me and just wanted to turn down the offer, a thought flashed through my mind. “She seems harmless enough. She looks so kind and she can offer us a ride. Why not? ” So I said yes and got into the car.

“I just came out of the church. So, girls, where are you going?” The old lady asked. “We are going to Ruisui Ranch. Could you take us there, Madam?” We answered. “Of course, no problem. But why do you want to go there?” “We want to try the fresh milk, cakes and cheese there. The ranch is famous for its fresh milk and dairy product, isn’t it? And our train leaves at five o’clock, and thus we cannot go to too many places in a short period of time.” “Well, actually the ranch is small and not really special. You don’t need to spend a whole afternoon there. I mean you two girls should spend more time on something special or meaningful. I happen to be free this afternoon and I can be your guide if you like,” the old lady replied. “Really? We’d love to. That’s very kind of you! Thank you so much!” We said cheerfully.

At first, we arrived at Ruisui Ranch and we spent 20 mins walking around there. And then the old lady took us to the Saoba Stone Pillars. There are two giant pillars. One’s height is 6.13 meters and the other is 3.9 meters. She told us that “Saoba” means “plank” in Amis language and these stone pillars are the relics of the “Beinan Culture” dating back to the late New Stone Age era, around 3,000 years ago. They are Taiwan’s only prehistoric cultural relics. “Who transported these pillars? How did they make it, and why did they set these stone pillars here?” We asked. “Yeah, just like the Stonehenge in the UK, it is still a mystery.” The old lady smiled.

“You two girls look a little bit tired. Let’s have afternoon tea, ok?” The old lady said. So we went to Wuhe Tea Garden. In there, we drank the Princess Coffee and Wuhe black tea, and ate muffin, which did refresh us a lot. During the conversation, we knew that the old lady was called Meiyin. She used to work in Taipei as an accountant when she was young. After retirement, she left Taipei and moved to Ruisui with her husband because she wanted to live a quiet and self-sufficient life in the country, and Ruisui was the place in which she was born and raised. Aunt Meiyin raised a group of chickens in her courtyard. Her daily routine included looking after chicks, caring for fruit trees, growing vegetables and going to church. Though it seemed boring, she said she was satisfied with her life now. When we finished our tea, Aunt Meiyin invited us to go to her home and have dinner together. On the way to Aunt Meiyin’s home, we passed the Tropic of Cancer Marker Park. We got out of the car and from what Aunt Meiyin had told us, we learned that it is the northernmost point at which one can experience the sun being directly overhead, which occurs on June 22.

When we arrived at home, it had already been four o’clock. Aunt Meiyin rushed to the kitchen and started preparing dinner for us. And her husband, Uncle Wang, treated us with his collection of tea and showed us around their house. The little house was livable and warm; the walls were decorated with pictures of their children and family. Outside the house, there was a small farm green with vegetables in front of it. “On the left of our house is Lily’s (Uncle Wang always called her Lily) working place, her office.” Uncle Wang laughed and pointed at it, “It was a log cabin for chickens. I made it for Lily.” Behind the house was a piece of land planted with orange trees, grapefruit trees, and papaya trees. “What a sweet home it is! This is what I’ve been dreaming for! My dream house!” I exclaimed. “Dinner is already; please wash your hands and sit at the table.” Aunt Meiyin called us. We ate and chatted, sharing our own stories and thinking; it was an extremely happy time.

Spooky how the time flies when one is having fun. It was 4:50 pm and we had to say goodbye. Aunt Meiyin ran to the backyard and picked some oranges, papayas and grapefruits for us. She packed the fruits carefully and this reminded me of my mom. Every time I leave home to go to college, my mom always prepares a lot of specialties and fruits for me. Thinking of this, I wanted to cry. Although I’m away from home now, fortunately, I met a lady in Taiwan who treated me like a daughter. I will remember Aunt Meiyin, a kind old lady.