There is an event here in Hsinchu, and apparently many other countries in the world called the Hash House Harriers. It is a "run" that happens the last saturday of each month. Someone decides on a course through the jungle, and a bunch of people pay $100NT(about $3US) to go on this run/walk and get a bunch of free drinks on the way(including beer...always good to have on a hike). Bethany and I were told that we have to experience it, so on Saturday we hopped in a car with our new friends and drove out to some parking lot in the mountains to begin the trek. Some people ran, but considering the humidity, intensity of the hike, and beer consumption, we walked. There were definitely some characters, but I won't get into that, I probably will end up saying something mean.
I think the point of the event is to get foreigners out to a part of Taiwan you would never find on your own. First we climbed to the top of a mountain that had a beautiful view of the ocean...this was the first good look I got of it, I was happy! We were told to bring flashlights, and the route took us into a pitch black tunnel that must have been some artillery storage place. After awhile, we hit a clearing that had about 20 army tanks parked, with soldiers training around them. Of course, we did the touristy thing and tried to get a picture, but I think they would have gotten in trouble. Later on in the hike, we walked through some elaborate grave sites, over a highway that was in a tunnel, through a pig farm, and lastly around an olympic size pool. At one point we fully expected to see a unicorn. Its hard to explain what a drastic change in scenery we had about every 20 minutes....maybe one of the most interesting days in Taiwan so far, pictures on that soon.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
I know how to drive a scooter.
So, if you want to read more about my time in Taiwan, read Bethany's Blog.
This weekend I learned to drive a scooter(don't be mad mom, I wore a helmet). Our scooter is huge, and Bethany went first(she had to since she is older). Bethany and I and our flatmates from South Africa went on adventure through the crazy Hsinchu traffic and rain(yeah, there was a "typhoon" this weekend, no big deal). I sort of came back in one piece. I nearly burned through my shin when I decided it was okay to lean against the exhaust pipe. Don't do that, ever. Its not pretty.
So later when I was driving, we got a little lost and I sort of freaked out a little and ran into another girl on a scooter. the thing about driving in Taiwan is that you can't be concerned about the people coming from behind...that was my mistake. I heard all these people from behind and felt like I needed to watch them as well as those who were in front of me. Now that is just too much to take in. Lesson learned: look ahead at all times. If someone behind you needs your attention, they will honk. Don't doubt it. Anyway, it was more of a nudge than a hit, and she just gave me a look and drove on. It wasn't until later that I discovered a few scratches on my right leg. Nothing that won't go away in a couple days. I wouldn't say this is a good rate to be going at though.
Overall, scooter riding/driving is one of the most fun things I have ever done.
This weekend I learned to drive a scooter(don't be mad mom, I wore a helmet). Our scooter is huge, and Bethany went first(she had to since she is older). Bethany and I and our flatmates from South Africa went on adventure through the crazy Hsinchu traffic and rain(yeah, there was a "typhoon" this weekend, no big deal). I sort of came back in one piece. I nearly burned through my shin when I decided it was okay to lean against the exhaust pipe. Don't do that, ever. Its not pretty.
So later when I was driving, we got a little lost and I sort of freaked out a little and ran into another girl on a scooter. the thing about driving in Taiwan is that you can't be concerned about the people coming from behind...that was my mistake. I heard all these people from behind and felt like I needed to watch them as well as those who were in front of me. Now that is just too much to take in. Lesson learned: look ahead at all times. If someone behind you needs your attention, they will honk. Don't doubt it. Anyway, it was more of a nudge than a hit, and she just gave me a look and drove on. It wasn't until later that I discovered a few scratches on my right leg. Nothing that won't go away in a couple days. I wouldn't say this is a good rate to be going at though.
Overall, scooter riding/driving is one of the most fun things I have ever done.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Ni Hao!
For those of you who want to send me nice things, send it to:
1F., No. 76, Sec. 2, Dongda Rd.
Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan
No, you don't have to leanr to write it in Chinese characters. It should still get to me!
I started teaching monday. I have 16 kids right now, but next week or so, I will have 19. Big class! My coteacher Donna is from Oregon and she actually has a teaching degree unlike me. She has very good kindergarten decorating creative juices. I have been teaching the kids the songs. Everytime I dance even a little bit, the kids think its the most hilarious thing in the world...kids have a way of making you feel great about yourself.
American Eagle has lunch and dinner for all the teachers everyday. I have been mostly okay with it until last friday when my food was looking at me. Taiwanese love fish, and my dinner had some kind of pudding with tiny little fish that were the size of caterpillars on it. I told myself I would try the things I hadn't tried before, but I just couldn't make myself to do it. Sometimes when I taste the food here my tastebuds don't seem to know what to think. Bethany and I got Pizza Hut last night and it was the best pizza I have tasted in years. That is going to be gold in the next year I think.
I forgot to take pictures in the first week, but now Bethany is here and will help me remember. Soon, I promise!
1F., No. 76, Sec. 2, Dongda Rd.
Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan
No, you don't have to leanr to write it in Chinese characters. It should still get to me!
I started teaching monday. I have 16 kids right now, but next week or so, I will have 19. Big class! My coteacher Donna is from Oregon and she actually has a teaching degree unlike me. She has very good kindergarten decorating creative juices. I have been teaching the kids the songs. Everytime I dance even a little bit, the kids think its the most hilarious thing in the world...kids have a way of making you feel great about yourself.
American Eagle has lunch and dinner for all the teachers everyday. I have been mostly okay with it until last friday when my food was looking at me. Taiwanese love fish, and my dinner had some kind of pudding with tiny little fish that were the size of caterpillars on it. I told myself I would try the things I hadn't tried before, but I just couldn't make myself to do it. Sometimes when I taste the food here my tastebuds don't seem to know what to think. Bethany and I got Pizza Hut last night and it was the best pizza I have tasted in years. That is going to be gold in the next year I think.
I forgot to take pictures in the first week, but now Bethany is here and will help me remember. Soon, I promise!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
where did that day go?
I am here!!! I left on friday from San Francisco at 2pm and arrived in Taipei at 5pm on saturday, yet the flight was only 12.5 hours long. With the 15 hour time difference from California, I travelled ahead in time.
Everything has been really smooth since arriving. There are a few girls in my dorm from South Africa who are teaching summer camp. They were nice enough to take me to the RT Mart(big grocery store) with them yesterday. I bought yogurt, orange juice, coffee, and a frozen meal. I had to guess at what exactly were the contents, but I think I picked the right things...guess I will have to get used to that!
After shopping we went to Sushi Express. You pick what you want off the conveyer belt that goes through the restaurant. Most of the plates were unrecognizable rolls to me. I picked some that looked pretty safe and they were amazing! $30NT a plate means they are a little under a dollar a plate!! I think I am going to like this place.
I spent the rest of the day settling into my room and fighting the heat. Yes, it is hotter than I could imagine. Today I got a physical, came to the school to meet the chinese staff and signed my official contract. There are some adorable kids form summer camp running around and it makes me even more excited about teaching.
More later!
Everything has been really smooth since arriving. There are a few girls in my dorm from South Africa who are teaching summer camp. They were nice enough to take me to the RT Mart(big grocery store) with them yesterday. I bought yogurt, orange juice, coffee, and a frozen meal. I had to guess at what exactly were the contents, but I think I picked the right things...guess I will have to get used to that!
After shopping we went to Sushi Express. You pick what you want off the conveyer belt that goes through the restaurant. Most of the plates were unrecognizable rolls to me. I picked some that looked pretty safe and they were amazing! $30NT a plate means they are a little under a dollar a plate!! I think I am going to like this place.
I spent the rest of the day settling into my room and fighting the heat. Yes, it is hotter than I could imagine. Today I got a physical, came to the school to meet the chinese staff and signed my official contract. There are some adorable kids form summer camp running around and it makes me even more excited about teaching.
More later!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
A real blog!
Here it is, no more xanga, less facebook, more blog. I'm going to try to keep this up, but we will see. I head to Taiwan tomorrow. I have done as much as I can do to prepare myself, and now we will see how far that gets me in the next couple of days. For a person that has travelled as much as I have, this is the first time I am going to a country where I know nothing of the language except for the snippets I have listened to on my Berlitz: Learn Mandarin Chinese in 30 days. I guess they probably expect you to use those cd's all day every day for 30 days in a row. That didn't happen for me. Anyway, here I go!!
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