Taiwan 5: March 11th 2008

I have been in Taiwan for exactly two weeks 4 hours and 30 minutes and have already learned and incredible amount. Experiencing a new culture in its native country is exhilarating and sometimes overwhelming. I have adjusted quite well though. I found my bearings in Yi-lan, settled into my home and school, found places I like to eat and people I want to be with. I feel much healthier here. I am eating nutritious food and I have been enjoying walking, hiking, biking, playing tennis and bowling. I have also met a very nice Taiwanese family who have cooked for me, taken me out for dinner and given me a cellphone :) Most people are exceptionally nice. A beautiful part of this country is people seem to live and act within the virtues of karma. Yes there are jerks and thieves in every nook and corner of earth but Taiwan seems to be a very honest society. Quite refreshing. So far everyone that has lost something (wallet and a camera)has had it returned. No Dad, it wasn't me! It is comforting and encouraging to be in this environment.

Yesterday, I had a great day. Everything I needed to get done was accomplished, with smiles from others and by hitting some sweet sales at the stores ( Puma Tennis shoes $20, Tennis racket with case $23). I felt so happy and grateful that on my scooter ride home I stopped into the new Italian Restaurant. I gave them some of my pictures from my trip to Italy to decorate their freshly painted walls with. They were happy which made my heart smile. Also, I got a job out of it! I will be taking pictures of their delicious food and the interior or the restaurant. Honestly it is some of the best pizza I have tasted and that is saying a lot! Hand tossed, fresh cheese and a gourmet chef choosing the many delightful ingredients. The owner (who studied in English in Texas) enjoys our frequent visits and recently asked us what we would like on the menu. Such service. A team of smiling workers hands us Italian beer, fresh lemonade and a kick ass tiramasu, this place is an escape from my growing health kick. Although after a 10 km hike through the mountain hills I don't feel too bad about going.

On Saturday I hiked from Fulong to Dali with 4 other girls. It was quite intense, rewarding and amusing. We passed over a crossing called "horse falling to death bridge" and saw a sign warning us of killer bees halfway through hike! Instructions giving were things like "every second counts". Through out the 3 hours we saw ancient script and characters etched in stone, rivers flowing gracefully and parallel to the trails, steep inclines hide around corners made from walls of green leaves. A wicked panoramic view of the Eastern sea ports, hills and the unusually calm sea greeted us near the end of the hike. I hate to use an overused word, but it is truly awesome to read about something and then see it for yourself.

Sunday was great too. Sonya, a Canadian named Curry, two South Africans and I took a day trip to Taipei. What a city. I am still digesting everything I saw, my feeling is that without reservation I could live there happily. Everything is new, organized, efficient and clean with a terrific transit system and greater ethnic diversity (read: other whiteys, East Indians, black Africans etc). The art and business communities are thriving, a world class city, rightfully proud and beautiful. We hit the zoo ($2.00) and went to Taipei 101. What a building... the tallest in the world, filled with designer clothes and gourmet food. We enjoyed luxury's such as an English bookstore and a four course Italian meal for $18.00. I will definitely go back to Taipei and dedicate at least one weekend of this year to shooting it.

My teaching position, all things considered, is good. I enjoy teaching the kids and experienced what I would describe as my first "teacher's rush". It is a wicked sensation to see my students progress. Even though English is foreign to them they are still little sponges. True in form, they absorb to capacity and retain what doesn't drip out. I teach an average of 7 classes a day with their ages ranging from 4-13. They think it is a) amazing b) hilarious or c) both when I speak what little Mandarin I know to them. I will enjoy learning more Mandarin for practical and educational purposes, as well as to mess with my students.

Hope everything is great!! Keep me updated, ask me questions, and yes I will post pictures soon :)