Life

Weather has been quite rainy the past few days.  Reminds me of Seattle, but when it rains here, it rains very hard.  The past few days have been fairly low key.  A lot of eating, shopping and walking to different areas within Taipei.  

I haven't been taking many pictures, but rather been experiencing the everyday life of a young person in Taiwan.  Bowling, dancing, singing, eating, you name it.  People here enjoy doing everything.

  

View of Taipei from the freeway.  Can you guess which building is Taipei 101??

Taipei 101, for now the tallest building in the world (officially).  Also has the fastest elevator in the world.  At 55 ft/second, your ears will definitely pop on the way up.

Dinner in the mountains at a Tea House.  Outside of the city, life is very quiet and relaxing.

Making dumplings at a shopping center cafeteria.  Cafeteria food here is AMAZING.  In fact, everywhere you go the food is delicious.

One of many plates from yet another buffet.  They had testicles at this place, but I wasn't brave enough to try it.

Blending in

Things feel distinctly different the second time around.  I'm no longer surprised by the noise, smells or lifestyle.  I've been able to blend in and hang with many locals around my age.  They definitely know how to enjoy life here. 

Some interesting things:

1) Shopping here is equivalent to our last minute Christmas rush.  Except it happens here everyday, even on weekdays.

2) Not many wear sunglass when it's sunny.  Although umbrellas are a popular protection against the sun.

3) Scooters outnumber cars and drive in between traffic.  Imagine water flowing between sand.  Add pedestrians and city traffic becomes a nightmare.

4) Advertisements take up entire buildings.

5) Getting from point A to B is an adventure.  You use the metro/bus system, walk by and through countless stores and cross the path of thousands of people.  Compared to America's individual, car based culture, Taipei feels so much more alive.

Day 1 -2 Safe Arrival

Hi friends!  I'm glad to say I made it to Taiwan safely and have adjusted to the time zone quickly.  My flight was about 11 hours, arriving 40 minutes earlier than expected.  During the flight, I had two meals, my own personal TV screen, on demand TV and movies.  Pretty impressive for flying economy class.  

I arrived at 5:00am (Taiwan time) and went straight to Michelle's (my host) college.  I got a grand tour and also attended a class that was learning English.  It was sunny and hot, without the high humidity I experienced before.  

The second day involved an all you can eat buffet with some of Michelle's classmates.  A particular guest left a huge impression on me.  I seriously have not seen someone eat so much.  And the interesting part is she's a thin girl.  And I mean she ate ALOT.  As always, it was fun to meet people and communicate through a mix of broken English and Mandarin.  It's amazing how much we have in common despite having different histories.  

So far, it seems like my trip will be very personal involving locals and friends.  I look forward to sharing these moments with you!  

Airport: wasn't expecting things to be that different here...

Furniture store

Damaged scooter outside of Fu Jen campus

All you can eat...including beer/wine/champagne

Eric (my brother) and Michelle heading towards a market in Wulai