Outdoor Classroom

Outdoor Classroom

I believe Taipei to be the gem of Asia.  It hasn't the best of anything but an accumulation of seconds and thirds that make Taipei, Taiwan a magical place to live.

One such place is the local Flower Market found in the city.  It was here that I went about asking every friendly face that I saw about who was willing to teach me more about bonsai.  With some trial and error I met a man named Jack Lin.  Jack had some experience of living in Australia so he was very welcoming and generous with his time.  Over the next year I spent most of my weekends at his outdoor bonsai shop learning all I could.  Jack is a self confessed 'instant bonsai' man.  He knows a great deal about bonsai but his main purpose is buying young trees and then going about twisting and shaping them there and then, increasing the value substantially.  10 minutes later they are put into a nice pot, passed to his wife who then places them on the selling rack.  Jack has an amazing ability to turn a 3 year old tree into something that looks ten times that age in a handful of minutes.

Jack has taught me a lot about bonsai and for that I will be eternally grateful.  This man loves bonsai more than life itself.  I asked him one day if he ever got tired of wiring or shaping a tree.  In 45 years he honestly told me that every time he picked up a tree he felt happier.  Amazing stuff.

Jack Lin and a guy that doesn't want to spread his flu germs.

I have enjoyed many hours sitting at this table.