The umbrella

It was raining lightly, sky was cloudy, but I figured it'd be raining less -- or not at all -- away from the mountain.--And I needed a run. Did the Danshui-to-Zhuwei route. Since I had all the time in the world, I walked back to Danshui, instead of taking the train as I usually do. Listened to lots of Word and had plenty of time to think. A light drizzle descended, as I approached the end of the line. By the time the bus had deposited me at the final stop -- our stop -- this high up the mountain, the rain was pretty intense. I was fine, though, as I was warmed up from the run and I can make the 7 minutes uphill pretty quickly, especially in trainers. Halfway up, a car pulled to a stop at my side, the window rolled down and a jolly man with a mouthful of betelnut-afflicted teeth grinned across at me, while holding and pointing a sturdy umbrella in my direction. He didn't speak a word of English, but rambled on in Chinese. I didn't want to take the umbrella, as I knew I could make it up fine. I don't speak anything near what was needed to communicate that! :D He insisted and pointed in some direction up the mountain, which I think indicated that's where his house was, since I imagine he was guessing that I didn't want to take it unless I could return it and so on. I relented and took the umbrella: a sturdy wooden and thick-canvas-like construction. Even if I'd had my umbrella on me, it probably would've doubled over from the wind and rain. This was quality property and the man insisted I take it, despite knowing he'd never see it again. Unless he expects me to find his house. I have actually tried searching for it, once, since. I walked around a couple houses and I'm sure the occupants -- who were probably inside consuming their lunch, since it was that time of day -- were wondering what on earth this large white woman was doing, lurking around their properties. Oh well, on a sunny-er day, perhaps I'll tromp all over our mountain, trying to locate the car (which, with my not-at-all-astute-noticing-of-such-things, resembles something like: black and looking like a Land Rover), parked in the driveway of a betelnut-chewing man who showed me how generous and caring these people are.