Living in Taiwan, "full" is a regular part of my daily vocabulary. In a culture whose local language, Taiwanese, says "have you eaten?" for "hello," eating and over-eating are regular occurrences. Today, however, my title doesn't refer to food--or, at least, not principally. No, I mean the day as a whole: SO SO full!
It's 1am now. I woke up this morning at 7am. In the intervening 18 hours, I...
Went to school, where I dyed eggs with the 5th graders at Qingshan amidst what began as chaos and ended in gorgeous colors and very few messes;
Explained to countless students, teachers, and administrators who Alex and Melanie were, and that Melanie was, in fact, American;
Lost the race against Alex and Melanie's taxi driver home;
Revealed the wonderfulness of Ali's burritos and the corner shop's milk tea to Alex and Melanie;
Took advantage of a few hours break from today's drizzle to eat shave ice at Siziwan, take the ferry to Cijin, rent bikes, glimpse the lighthouse, explore the fort, ride bikes, and discover that basically the entire seashore at Cijin is under construction;
Helped Chialing cook some fantastic noodles which Alex and Melanie obviously ADORED;
Took a window-shopping stroll with Melanie that resulted in some cute stationary for her and a nice little conversation with the adorable owner of the adorable Nini store down the street, together with some delicious cake despite my protestations that we were full;
Walked along the Love River with Alex and Melanie;
Found Alex some cold medicine;
Made a brief stopover at Ruifeng Night Market, where we saw some hilarious Angry Bird and "Angry Sponge" shirts, as well as some gorgeous leather bags;
Made plans to hang out with my host family tomorrow, after a stop at another stationary store and Dream Mall, and made tentative plans to KTV afterwards.
So "full" is not an understatement--this is just the outline! In other news, my plans for tomorrow begin at 10am, and I am therefore going to sleep.
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Sports Day and Christmas shopping
Yesterday, for the first time, I wore jeans and a sweatshirt to school. And was chilly not just on the drive there, but as students opened the door and came in, clutching their jackets against the burst of cold air. It finally felt like, if not Winter, at least Fall.
Which is why it felt somewhat natural to start my Christmas shopping today.
There's a massive artisan market literally across the street from my apartment which sets up shop every weekend and, thanks to the hint of a chill in the air--I was torn between wearing a sweatshirt or taking it off, while the Taiwanese people around me were uniformly wrapped in heavy coats, some also donning hats and scarves--the sidewalks were mostly clear.
It was great, and I was able to grab several wonderful things for my family back home. As I walked along the street with Rachel, a street performer played Christmas songs on a violin, and that, combined with the odd number of booths which would have looked equally at home at my church's yearly craft fair at home, made me feel like I should be back in the States, sipping hot cocoa in front of the fireplace in my parents' house.
At the same time, though, today I felt more at home in Taiwan than I've felt yet. I went to Hanmin's Sports Day, which basically played out like a massive all-school track and field meet, and was greeted by dozens of my students from all my classes, in addition to some of their parents and several of my coworkers. I fit; I was part of the community, moving easily among the crowd despite the fact that I was the only Westerner in the crowd. I talked with students while watching relay races, hearing Louis proclaim his love for me in halting English as Anson (whose English is perfect) tried to bait him into telling me he wanted to marry me. Oh, 5th graders.
It was great to see all of my students enjoying themselves so thoroughly, and to get to be a fly on the wall in an entirely different situation. I love getting to see different aspects of their personalities, and getting to see some of them with their parents was wonderful.
After the festivities, I finally took the initiative to stop by the little helmet shop across the street, the one where I've been promising myself for months I'd stop and see about buying another good helmet, so I'll have two for visitors. Turns out, they have exactly what I've been looking for, and my broken conversation with the shop's very friendly owner was great. I didn't buy today, but I'm thinking I will on Tuesday--it only feels right to pay into the community where I'm beginning to feel so very much at home.
The chilly air helps, of course, as does feeling like I'm actually part of the community here. But still, with Christmas coming, I wish I were at home, with family, experiencing the season in its entirety. At least, failing that, I still get some beautiful little holiday moments here in Kaohsiung.
Which is why it felt somewhat natural to start my Christmas shopping today.
There's a massive artisan market literally across the street from my apartment which sets up shop every weekend and, thanks to the hint of a chill in the air--I was torn between wearing a sweatshirt or taking it off, while the Taiwanese people around me were uniformly wrapped in heavy coats, some also donning hats and scarves--the sidewalks were mostly clear.
It was great, and I was able to grab several wonderful things for my family back home. As I walked along the street with Rachel, a street performer played Christmas songs on a violin, and that, combined with the odd number of booths which would have looked equally at home at my church's yearly craft fair at home, made me feel like I should be back in the States, sipping hot cocoa in front of the fireplace in my parents' house.
At the same time, though, today I felt more at home in Taiwan than I've felt yet. I went to Hanmin's Sports Day, which basically played out like a massive all-school track and field meet, and was greeted by dozens of my students from all my classes, in addition to some of their parents and several of my coworkers. I fit; I was part of the community, moving easily among the crowd despite the fact that I was the only Westerner in the crowd. I talked with students while watching relay races, hearing Louis proclaim his love for me in halting English as Anson (whose English is perfect) tried to bait him into telling me he wanted to marry me. Oh, 5th graders.
It was great to see all of my students enjoying themselves so thoroughly, and to get to be a fly on the wall in an entirely different situation. I love getting to see different aspects of their personalities, and getting to see some of them with their parents was wonderful.
After the festivities, I finally took the initiative to stop by the little helmet shop across the street, the one where I've been promising myself for months I'd stop and see about buying another good helmet, so I'll have two for visitors. Turns out, they have exactly what I've been looking for, and my broken conversation with the shop's very friendly owner was great. I didn't buy today, but I'm thinking I will on Tuesday--it only feels right to pay into the community where I'm beginning to feel so very much at home.
The chilly air helps, of course, as does feeling like I'm actually part of the community here. But still, with Christmas coming, I wish I were at home, with family, experiencing the season in its entirety. At least, failing that, I still get some beautiful little holiday moments here in Kaohsiung.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Into the Wind
Today I boarded a bus for Kenting, Taiwan's coastal paradise; to the city which is named "eternal spring." I was super excited to finally get a taste of a tropical beach, since I have never before in my life been to an ocean warm enough to get into, or blue enough to see through. I was thorough in my packing--grabbed my 30 SPF sunscreen, two swimsuits, shorts, sundress, sandals--and, just in case, a rain coat and tennis shoes. I was ready for a beach unlike that in the Pacific Northwest--one that did not involve wind and rain.
But, as it turned out, wind and rain is what I got.
The whole trip down to Kenting was overcast-ish outside, but could still see patches of sun, and I grew more and more excited as I saw the coastline appear and realized that, when I got out, it would still be warm.
Then we got closer. Right around 5 minutes beforehand, it started raining. And it didn't stop. I put on my raincoat before we stepped outside, and then began the sprint for the nearest 7-11 so Brittany, Rachel, and Karina could buy ponchos. And I discovered that my thinking ahead was actually not the best of plans, since they were now better covered than I was. Which became a big regret as our taxi driver couldn't find our hostel and we wandered back and forth within a few blocks of it for a while asking people before we finally found it--and my stuff, and everything not covered by my raincoat, was soaked. Around this time, the rain began going sideways.
By the time we were in our room, the wind was gusting against the screen door and I was wondering how we could possibly do anything. Did I mention that a typhoon recently just missed Taiwan and hit Hong Kong instead? Turns out these are the edges of it. Today I've felt exactly like I'm at the Oregon coast--all wind and rain--but with the thermostat turned up about 40*. Very odd, yet oddly homey. Wind and rain: normal!
So with that wether, naturally, we rented scooters and headed for the beach!
And oh yeah--when our hostel owner drove us to get the scooters, he got pulled over. Seriously, this day was shaping up to be a combination of the least likely events ever. Rain and wind in Kenting? Check. Police involved? Check. What next?
The beach was not quite doable, so after lunch (delicious Italian), we decided to do some shopping, then head up to the Southernmost point of Taiwan and see the lighthouse there around sunset. But there were...complications, beginning with the marginal typhoon-strength wind. Driving a scooter in driving rain and wind is somewhat less than fun, and then Rachel and Brittany, who were leading, went past the turn-off for the Southernmost point, and then up an unprotected mountain. It had a GLORIOUS view, but Karina and I turned back--it was impossible to keep a straight line.
And we headed back to the Southernmost point! It was wonderful, and the winds were actually a boon there--high winds equal high waves which are beautiful to look at. Then the lighthouse, where we met some roving dogs who were also watching the sunset. Rachel and Brittany eventually made it back, and while we waited for them by the lighthouse, we were guarded by an adorable little golden dog, who reminded me of the cat in The Horse and His Boy, when Shasta is by the tombs. (If you don't get that reference, you're probably more normal than me, but you'd best go read that book.)
On the way back, we stopped through at the Kenting night market, which had filled with people who had materialized out of nowhere--the streets were all but empty earlier today--and had a bit more shopping time. Tried on numerous hats, none of which quite worked, and bought a sweet travel coffee mug with Taiwan stuff on it, and--of course--watermelon milk. I have to say, too, that Kenting night market is a bit of a nightmare: a bunch of people at a market are annoying no matter what, then add in the vacation aspect, and it's not good. Still great time, though.
This doesn't even begin to cover the epicness of the day--I'll do more later. But the wind is still beating on our door, and we're getting up early tomorrow to enjoy what will hopefully be a less storm day in Kenting, so that's it for now. Turns out the "eternal spring" in Kenting is currently stuck in April, with no chance of May.
But, as it turned out, wind and rain is what I got.
 |
| I pictured this (actual picture of Kenting from the Internet) |
 |
| And got this (actual picture of Kenting from hostel window. Note the raindrops) |
The whole trip down to Kenting was overcast-ish outside, but could still see patches of sun, and I grew more and more excited as I saw the coastline appear and realized that, when I got out, it would still be warm.
Then we got closer. Right around 5 minutes beforehand, it started raining. And it didn't stop. I put on my raincoat before we stepped outside, and then began the sprint for the nearest 7-11 so Brittany, Rachel, and Karina could buy ponchos. And I discovered that my thinking ahead was actually not the best of plans, since they were now better covered than I was. Which became a big regret as our taxi driver couldn't find our hostel and we wandered back and forth within a few blocks of it for a while asking people before we finally found it--and my stuff, and everything not covered by my raincoat, was soaked. Around this time, the rain began going sideways.
By the time we were in our room, the wind was gusting against the screen door and I was wondering how we could possibly do anything. Did I mention that a typhoon recently just missed Taiwan and hit Hong Kong instead? Turns out these are the edges of it. Today I've felt exactly like I'm at the Oregon coast--all wind and rain--but with the thermostat turned up about 40*. Very odd, yet oddly homey. Wind and rain: normal!
So with that wether, naturally, we rented scooters and headed for the beach!
And oh yeah--when our hostel owner drove us to get the scooters, he got pulled over. Seriously, this day was shaping up to be a combination of the least likely events ever. Rain and wind in Kenting? Check. Police involved? Check. What next?
 |
| Still don't know what they wanted... |
The beach was not quite doable, so after lunch (delicious Italian), we decided to do some shopping, then head up to the Southernmost point of Taiwan and see the lighthouse there around sunset. But there were...complications, beginning with the marginal typhoon-strength wind. Driving a scooter in driving rain and wind is somewhat less than fun, and then Rachel and Brittany, who were leading, went past the turn-off for the Southernmost point, and then up an unprotected mountain. It had a GLORIOUS view, but Karina and I turned back--it was impossible to keep a straight line.
And we headed back to the Southernmost point! It was wonderful, and the winds were actually a boon there--high winds equal high waves which are beautiful to look at. Then the lighthouse, where we met some roving dogs who were also watching the sunset. Rachel and Brittany eventually made it back, and while we waited for them by the lighthouse, we were guarded by an adorable little golden dog, who reminded me of the cat in The Horse and His Boy, when Shasta is by the tombs. (If you don't get that reference, you're probably more normal than me, but you'd best go read that book.)
 |
| Trail to the Southernmost point |
 |
| Looking south at the tip |
 |
| LOVE the waves in the wind! |
 |
| Eluanbi Lighthouse |
 |
| Sunset. :) |
On the way back, we stopped through at the Kenting night market, which had filled with people who had materialized out of nowhere--the streets were all but empty earlier today--and had a bit more shopping time. Tried on numerous hats, none of which quite worked, and bought a sweet travel coffee mug with Taiwan stuff on it, and--of course--watermelon milk. I have to say, too, that Kenting night market is a bit of a nightmare: a bunch of people at a market are annoying no matter what, then add in the vacation aspect, and it's not good. Still great time, though.
This doesn't even begin to cover the epicness of the day--I'll do more later. But the wind is still beating on our door, and we're getting up early tomorrow to enjoy what will hopefully be a less storm day in Kenting, so that's it for now. Turns out the "eternal spring" in Kenting is currently stuck in April, with no chance of May.
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