Here comes the ditch-digging hand, rural youth come and join in

When it comes to a trip to Yilan, where is the first place that comes to mind?

Before April 23, I probably would have been just like everyone else, listing off Yilan's bustling districts and famous sights one by one, then arranging distinctive, fun homestays and all sorts of winding travel routes.

Yet all of that was truly overturned by the weekend of April 23 and 24, which changed my thinking.

This time I was lucky enough to take part in the in-depth travel project "Gougoushou, Not Just a Little Trip," organized by National Taiwan University's Leadership Program. The places we went were unlike any before. Shenggou has no 24-hour convenience store neighbor and no uncle under the golden arches. There is only good farmland and good water, only the chirping of insects and singing of birds. Casting off the dust of the everyday world, we stepped onto this unknown land with feelings that were a little uneasy and a little expectant.

On the Shenggou trip, I was no longer a tourist; I was connected to this place. The two days and two nights of the itinerary made me rethink many things. The trip is over, but the journey of self-discovery will continue. These thoughts have settled and fermented, and in the future there will always be a chance for them to sprout, bear fruit, and form ears of grain. Good water, good fields, good things, good people, good Shenggou!

"Gougoushou, Not Just a Little Trip" is expected to hold another Shenggou trip in May as well. Those interested can follow the "Gougoushou, Not Just a Little Trip" Facebook fan page.