There's a street that runs alongside the apartment that seems to be the local venue for block parties, of a sort. Two or three times now the street has been shut down and filled with tents and vendors.

Sunday's event was like a farmer's market with some prepared food and local beer with the added benefit of a meadow full of weirdly creepy dolls.

There were banners hanging all around the park that proclaimed "Never give up!" in English and lots of stuff in Chinese but Google was no help in finding out what it all meant. When I asked around at school yesterday if anyone had any idea what it was about I was met with blank looks. Another one of Kaohsiung's little mysteries.

Yesterday at school the students and staff welcomed back Tom, the superintendent of KAS. He had been on medical leave for eight months battling cancer. He's now back part time as he gains  back his strength. I had never met him but by all accounts he's really nice (say the students) and the heart of the school. The welcome back party was really nice. All 600 students plus the staff gathered on the playground and were given roses so when Tom walked onto campus we all waved our flowers and cheered. It was very heart-warming.