Working in Taiwan
Had a job in Taiwan in October 2004 that turned up some real interesting sights that I thought I'd share with you. Has to do with Chinese religious practices on the streets in public view. Click if you want a quick view of religions in Taiwan.

This story starts out with me sitting in McDonald's taking a break from a long day's walk around the streets of Tainan - the first capital of Taiwan. All of a sudden, I hear a big racket in the street and went out to take a look ...

A celebration for the return of the Ma Tsu - Goddess of the Sea was underway! She was returning after a three-year absence. Enjoy the rest of the story below in pictures - it won't take long.
The Return of Ma Tsu - Goddess of the Sea
It all started when I was sitting upstairs in this McDonald's.
A temple was next door.
Little did I know that this celebration was a really big event in Tainan that day!
A layman is being prepared to be the penitent in this solemn ceremony.
Ma Tsu, Taiwan's major deity, was placed on this portable shrine in preparation for the ceremony.
Ghost money was put on fire to offer up support for the ancestors of the believers.

Note the penitent beating his back with the red staff.
Here's the result of his self-inflicted punishment.
The Sea Goddess is now carried onto the temple grounds.
Continued ...
Now, she is reverently carried into the temple.
There she sits with all her helpers.
Now, the fun begins - a big parade past the temple in celebration of her return!
Each exhibit is by a group of people for themselves or a deity who is in support of the Sea Goddess.
Various other members of the temple community strut their stuff.
These high school kids are waiting their turn to participate.
They blow on their horns and create the loudest sound/ noise you ever did hear!
Even older folks participate.
As well as younger kids from the local schools.

These floats are not just slapped together.
These girls just finished singing some kind of ancient song to welcome the Sea Goddess.

Preparations for the final step of the celebration are reviewed.
Here it comes.
Nobody's around here now!
What a festive fireworks display.!

Glad I have a telephoto lens on my camera.
Everything slowly gets back to normal around the temple now.

People worship, vendors sell, people talk, and motor- scooters scoot.