Little Kings Behind Wooden Tables
Over the last years we visited many tea farmers / tea makers here in Taiwan. Early on in our journey, we would encounter tea people with a certain attitude: little kings behind massive wooden tables, awards and certificates sitting in the shelf, their home rather resembling a showroom; the air filled with pride and the silent screams of: “Look at me! I made it! I know better!”. In retrospect we probably ran into those people because we had something in common. Our encounters helped me to reflect and to realize how deeply we all are lost in the fog of illusion: pretentiousness, the craving for recognition, validation and ultimately love. To go in depth here isn’t what I’m getting at. And to be very clear, this is not a judgement of any kind. People do funny things for funny reasons. We all are prisoners of our own mind. What I’m getting at is… Bai Ge.
Bai Ge
We met Bai Ge this spring in the mountains an hour outside of Taipei. He picked us up from the bus top in his small car, stuff placed here and there on the backseat, empty cigarette packs on the ground. It was already hot that day but the A/C wasn’t running; the car windows rolled down instead. A rarity in Taiwan where people LOVE their air conditioning. This guy seemed different. My first impression solidified when we visited several of his wild tea gardens. Bai Ge would only share knowledge when asked, never to show off or fill the silence. And when we finally sat down to drink tea together, gazing into the distant mountains, it felt more like hanging out with an old friend than being purpose driven. I am sure Bai Ge is also acting to some extent – check 2:00 min where he’s playing with the camera, totally aware of being filmed – but he does it with spontaneity, very much being in the moment, humble and with a kind heart.
So, is Bai Ge’s tea on the highest technical level? I don’t think so. But it doesn’t have to be. At least not for me. When I drink his tea, I am not looking for perfection, I want authenticity. No ego talk, no business bullshit echoing in my mind. Just a shared moment of honesty with Bai Ge.