Taiwan Quirks

Got to check out Jiufen the past weekend. Its a beautiful place in the northeast corner of Taiwan. Its about a 40 minute ride by a "special" van. Originally my friends and I wanted to take a bus, which would have taken 1 hr and 40 mins. But a couple with betlenut juice teeth (you'll know what I mean if you've visited or live here) near the bus stop asked if we wanted a ride. The wife pointed to her sign which said we could save an hour by taking their van. It costs 200 NT, which we thought was a good deal to save time. Getting in, we find out one of us has to sit on a stool, while another had a seatbelt missing. Normally, I would bail out of this situation, but hey, its Taiwan and they often say "go with the flow".

The ride was pretty smooth, and once we got all the way up a winding road, you will see spectacular views of ocean. It was very packed with weekend visitors from Taipei or tourists from the Mainland, and Japan. There are many teahouses on the hillside, so we found one that gave us great views while we drank tea. The weather was sunny and perfect, so I could see all the way out to Keelung, a nearby city. So you begin walking down a narrow path, so if you're claustrophobic, don't come.. its seriously crowded. Keep in mind this used to be an old gold mining town a la SF during the Gold Rush. Along the path you will find all kinds of snacks, drink and trinkets to buy. Food is so cheap in Taiwan that you basically go to any stall that strikes your fancy and order. I got to try a gelatinous covered pork "bun". It kind threw me off because they looked like circular jellyfish. I will just say it had an interesting flavor.

The next morning, I woke up with what felt like flu symptoms. Whole body aches, sore throat, fever, and lethargy. Somehow I made through my day at work, but I rushed to a doctor for some meds. The nice thing is most doctors, well the Western style ones, speak good English, so I didn't have the added stress of language issues. I arrived at the doc's office by 4:30pm, seen at 4:33pm, diagnosed and provided a prescription at 4:40pm, walked next door to the pharmacist, and left with meds at 4:50. All this cost me 150 NT ($5 USD). Umm this would NEVER happen in America. What also amazed me was that they scanned my medical insurance card into a card reader that uploaded my personal stats on to their computer. The doctor already knew my age and other basic info without me having to write that information down. Amazing.

On the opposite spectrum, I was shocked at how much is charged for eyecare. I was hoping contacts and glasses would be subsidized, but no. I spent 14000 NT for new glasses, frames, and a year's supply of contact lenses. I was told that this is normal. So if you have perfect vision and occasionally get sick, then you will have the lowest medical expenses. 

Nothing is perfect. There are times I miss America. I miss Trader Joes, I miss DSW because Nikes or Western branded shoes are hella expensive here. I miss fresh, EPA monitored air. I miss my FRIENDS and FAMILY. I miss the separation of work and play because the Taiwanese just work, and work, and work. But slowly I am feeling more comfortable here, and am keeping a possibility of staying another year... We'll see...

2014 Photo montage

It is amazing how many things can happen in a year, month, week and day. Last year I was still in San Francisco debating the next steps in my life; no thoughts of living abroad crossed my mind until mid 2013. Now I am living in Taiwan, an exciting yet mellow nation. This month alone, I celebrated New Year near Taipei 101 with its amazing fireworks display. Next celebrated my 31st birthday with some dear expat friends, and ended up drinking a bit too much and puking just as I did when I was 21. The difference now is it takes a day and a half to recover, and I'm puking on my Louis Vuitton shoes, and not Pony sneakers. Explored some nature by hiking Yangmingshan with my school, and got an amazing view of the greater Taipei area. Celebrated Chinese New Year by visiting a friend in Kaohsiung, and sending prayers for all things good to the Giant Buddha at Fo Guang Shan Temple.

Taiwan is truly an amazing country with a beautiful city and countryside contrast. I could see the vast difference between the two while riding the HSR from Taipei to Kaohsiung, which took a little less than 2 hours. You get the sense that Taiwan has found the perfect balance in terms of quality of life. They love their shopping and Western food and clothes, but still highly regard ancient Chinese customs and traditions. Every morning and night during CNY (Chinese New Year) I can hear the BB gun like ka-pops of fireworks, and smell burned paper in the air. The architecture here is amazing and detailed. I got to explore some re-purposed train stations and factories that have transformed into art exhibits or in-house art galleries for local artists and designers to sell their goods out of their living rooms.

I still have so much to explore, and experience here. The beautiful thing is most of these places have NO ENTRANCE FEE, so just find your way there! Wishing my family would come visit me soon!

Here is what you should add to your must see list for Taiwan:
- Treasure Hill, artist collective near Taipower MRT stop
- Fo Guangshan Temple in Kaohsiung
- Kaohsiung
- Taipei 101
- W Hotel
- Tartine, French inspired restaurant near Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT stop
- Hiking in Yangmingshan
- Ciaotou Sugar Factory in Kaohsiung

Funny/weird observations:
- Starbucks baristas will help you find a table in their busy cafe
- Taiwanese love to use plastic for everything like holding your drink cup or if ordering to go, pouring piping hot soup into the plastic.
- Sweet students who give you stickers to say thank you
- Being upgraded at McDonalds when I didn't say yes
- Old people who push you on the bus or dump stuff near you to non-verbally say "hey kid, move it, I'm sitting here."
- Mainland Chinese who bring their family to your table of 2 and ask if you can share. Umm no?

St