A Well-known Face on Chai Mountain - Paul Malfara

◎Text by Pin-Hui　◎Photos by Paul Malfara

　People who know Paul Malfara call him "half Taiwanese". He has lived in Taiwan for more than twenty years, and sees himself as a local in Kaohsiung. He is interested in trying everything new, and holds an emotional attachment to the island and its culture. What fascinates him most is that Kaohsiung reveals a blend of old and new. He likes to stroll along the Love River, or take a walk around Cijin, Kaohsiung Port, or Chai Mountain. He jokes that if he goes back to his hometown, in the U.S., he might have reverse culture shock! Life with his family in Taiwan carves out special memories for Paul, especially since the birth of his two children, Joseph and Carolyn.

　You might not know that Paul is a good friend of the mountain climbers at Chai Mountain. He has dedicated himself to carrying water up the mountain for quite some time. It is easy for people to remember a foreigner, Paul smiled and said, and that was why he fit into their lives very quickly. Paul started climbing Chai Mountain in 1999. He felt that "water-carrying" was really meaningful; he could do something helpful to the mountain hikers and work out at the same time. Later, he consulted with those "water-carriers", purchased necessary equipment, and followed suit. He started with 10 liters of water and moved up to 30 liters now. Paul also likes to exchange high-mountain climbing experiences with other climbers, some of whom have conquered the hundred highest peaks in Taiwan. Paul noticed that there are still many militarily restricted areas in the Chai Mountain, and thus has urged related regulators to open these areas to the public, so that Kaohsiung residents can have full access to their precious asset - Chai Mountain.to the public, so that Kaohsiung residents can have full access to their precious asset - Chai Mountain.

　Paul also shares his experience living in Kaohsiung as a foreigner. He realizes that one must dedicate efforts to learning a different language when living in a foreign place. Learning simple local dialogues requires certain communication skills. Moreover, Paul has learned that once he shows respect to the Taiwanese culture and people, he soon gains respect and friendship in return.

柴山上響亮的名字 馬漢

◎文／侯雅婷　◎攝影／Paul Malfara

　　熟悉馬漢的朋友給他「半個台灣人 」的封號。來台20餘年的馬漢，視自己為高雄人，對高雄市所有的大事小事都感興趣，且非常地融入、認同台灣這塊土地和文化。對他而言，高雄市融合了新與舊，是其最迷人之處，閒暇時他喜歡到愛河、旗津、高雄港以及柴山走走。美國籍的馬漢打趣地說，如果現在他回美國，恐怕反而會對美國文化產生某種程度文化上的不適應，特別是在他兩個孩子在高雄出生後，一家人在台灣的時光是他生命中別具意義的美好時光。

　　不說您可能不知道，馬漢可是柴山山友們的好朋友。長期揹水供應給爬柴山的山友飲用的馬漢笑著說，也許是因為他帶著外國人的面孔讓山友們的印象格外深刻，因此馬漢很快就與大家打成一片。馬漢從1999年就開始攀爬柴山，他初次看見「揹水人」就覺得這是件很有意義且一舉兩得的事情，服務山友之餘還可以健身，之後，馬漢也努力地向資深的揹水人請益，添購揹水相關設備，他也一路從揹10公升的水，到現在的30公升。喜愛登山的馬漢也向柴山上的山友請教有關登百岳的寶貴經驗，彼此經驗交流。馬漢觀察到柴山上仍有許多的軍事管制區，馬漢說柴山廣闊的面積，是高雄市民很難得且珍貴的資產，因此熱愛柴山的他呼籲相關單位將整個柴山都開放給市民，讓民眾得以親近完整的柴山。

　　對居住於高雄的外籍朋友，馬漢也分享他自身的經驗，他建議到一個不同語言地環境，必須努力付出，學習簡單的當地語言，以具備與人溝通的基本技能 ，此外，馬漢也深深地體驗到，當他展現對台灣文化及人民的尊重，很快地，他也獲得民眾的尊重與友誼。