I'm memerized by the picture in my head...

Since I started this blog so late in the game, I thought I would post pics of some of the more memorable moments/things from my trip so far. Maybe it will help some of you catch up on my adventures...


Asian Telly Tubbies at the Taipei Zoo --- Lots and lots of cows by Taipei 101

For the first week of orientation, we went all over Taipei to the touristy areas. We visited the Taipei Zoo where they recently acquired two pandas from China named Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, which means Reunion when put together.

Mini beers (actually tea) --- Scavenger Hunt

We were also put into three teams and went on a little scavenger hunt in order to help us get acquainted with the public transportation in Taipei and such. My team was clearly #1, even though we lost a couple players after a few hours.


Kate lured us to a Christian concert --- Famous bridge at Danshui 淡水

Also during the first week, we were informed by one Kate Lee, that there would be a free concert with a semi famous band playing at a local high school. So we all trudged through the beautiful sunny weather to hear them sing. It wasn't until we arrived that we found out it was a Christian concert. And after the concert, they dragged (bribed) us into an informal discussion about the concert and Christianity, telling us that we could get a free CD or something at the end. But unfortunately, we filled the survey and pretended we didn't understand Chinese and got out as fast as we could. We forgive you Kate Lee (others beware!)

Danshui is the last stop on the Red Line. It is known for its boardwalk and little jelly like eggs that are popular there. You can take the ferry to the bridge and watch the sunset (although we arrived too early and didn't have to patience to wait for it.) Danshui also has a lot of food and random knick knacks...and some misplaced stores. You can enjoy a tall soft serve, or bike along the routes.


Asians put new meaning to zippers --- Tall soft serve

I'm not really sure if this needs an explanations. Plainly put, Asians have some crazy styles, such as the zipper that doesn't end, along with some very bizarre Chingrish (putting Abercrombie, Aeropastle, and American Eagle into one name...I kid you not!)


Jiufen

This was another CIEE scheduled trip to Jiufen. This is one of Taiwan's oldest markets where you can find local foods and traditional souvenirs. It was also made more famous for being in some famous movie, which I do not remember. The picture is from the famous steps and the man in the fron does not belong to us. The picture next to it is a potatoe spiral. They have many different flavors, just like lays, but it still does not beat Cape Cod chips.


Jen and Aiko -- Julianne and Pam

Yes, both pictures involve food and four crazy people. The first picture is of Jennifer and Aiko. Aiko's birthday was within the first couple of weeks we arrived in Taiwan. It wasn't long before we realized that she has a true passion for washing her face...for a really long time. This picture is of us catching her by surprise with her birthday cake as she was washing her face. It is not unsual to hear the water running in our apt, and coming to two conclusions: Aiko is either washing her face or showering. We still love our crazy Love Child, aka Psycho.
The second picture is of even crazy people, Julianne and Pam. This was on our way back from the Mazu festival, where they ordered pizzas for us! the Mazu festival was crazy but fun and I found my love for this flaky pastry in which they are feeding each other. It is a famous food from the Taizhong county.

"Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup"

View from Danshui boardwalk
So I stated in the beginning of my travel to Taiwan that I would start a blog. I now have about 45 days left and this is my first entry. I'm sure no one really expected me to actually start a blog, but here goes anyway. I don't expect many people to really read it, just an occasional relative, probably Meghan and Aunt Elmo. And these people are probably the only ones I actually talk to on an almost daily basis so they already know the happenings of my travels, but just in case someone stumbles upon this little site, I hope I don't bore you too much. I obviously have not gotten any of my story telling talents from my dad...especially since I am twice adopted, and therefore it is not passed onto me.

Crazy lady at Jiufen
I came to Taiwan, mainly because I had to for school, but I'm finding it hard to leave. I was hesitant to even come back, except to visit the orphanage that I was from and the people there. I eventually fell in love with the people, the food and the culture. I live in an apartment with 5 other girls: 2 Taiwanese (twins), a New Yorker, an Australian, and a little Japanese Love Child. I love living in an apartment, even if it is on the mountainside and we have to wait for a bus or walk. I am currently taking a Chinese class 5 days a week for 3 hours each day. I have been here for over 2 months now, and I'm hoping that my Chinese is at least a little bit better! My teacher is so adorably cute and Asian, and sometimes a little too nice. She recently took us to a dim sum restaurant that was absolutely delicious. I love dim sum at home in Boston, but somehow, it is totally different eating dim sum here. I guess it's a good thing that my bridesmaid dress has not been made yet, because I have no idea how I would be able to fit into it! The food here is so good, and all those people saying that American food is greasy have obviously not eaten Taiwanese food. As amazing and delicious as it is, you are always left looking at a pool of grease at the bottom of the plate. I think what makes up for all the grease is all the walking that we do. And when temperatures start rising and the humidity is around 80%, it all of a sudden doesn't matter what you just ate. And when it is that hot out, you just want to grab a bowl of shaved ice, or ice tea. Not only are the main dishes yummy and cheap, but their desserts and drinks are awesome and cheap as well.

So far my travels of Taiwan has brought me to the Taipei Zoo (only 10 mins away), Jiufen, Danshui, Gaoshiung, Shilin, Wufenpu, and sooo many other places, which I will talk about later!
Wulai, Hualien, Yangmingshan, and a couple other places are still on my list of places to see.
Panda...of course


















Mango shaved ice with Psycho