Taiwan 6, March 16th

Another adventurous weekend is complete. Friday after school I got my hair washed and a massage ($4.00), then took off to Taipei for a rock and roll circus. The venue was small, the sound was good and the walls were decorated with long shaggy white hair. People packed the place. Taiwanese and many expats gathered, united for a night of rock and roll. Dancing, drinks and a few surprises made our venture out of Ilan very worthwhile. Saturday was also good. I studied Mandarin in the day and then scooted to Luodong. Teppanyaki, a gorgeous stroll in the park, a smokey pool hall and my first peek at the city's kick ass night market awaited me. I've realised how small Ilan really is. I think my friend Amy pegged the analogy well. Ilan city, Taiwan compares to Charlottetown in Canada. It is a good place for me to be. Ilan is smaller, cheaper and with less things to do than the more urban areas. This means a plumper bank account for myself and that I will enjoy my free time on the weekends even more. Also this city is so close to Taipei ($4.00 for a 1 hour bus ride) that when I need some culture, a museum, a terrific meal or an English bookstore I can throw on my ipod and easily bust out of Ilan.

Saturday night I went to check out another new town and the beach at night. It was very nice to see stars again but the looming lights of the many fish trawlers made the scene less stunning. That night I met some South Africans and a cool Taiwanese chick. We chatted all night and I crashed on a couch.

Luckily a bout of culture shock has yet to strike me. Instead my brain is madly processing. Today on an empty beach near a small fishing town I could almost hear my other senses trying to digest where I was. Waves roared as I lay on the beach escaping the sun beneath the shade of a massive mountains edge. I am in Taiwan...