The trip here reminded me of my first time in NYC. I was practically hanging out the window as all the sights and smells of Tiawan assaulted my vision and olfactory capabilities. People, everywhere. I landed at night, so every building shown brightly. Signs adverstising Japanese dramas and stores that only sell birds and mo to chi (motor bikes) abound. As I figured, my “Asian-dar” (my ability to hone in on Asian-related things and people)was overwhelmed. I keep thinking to myself, am I really here? Waking up to Taipei street noises promptly answered that one.
Right now I write to you from Tianmu, a neighborhood in Shilin, Taipei, Taiwan. (Tian means “heaven,” but I literally and figuratively live there currently. XD)
Honestly, I can’t believe I’m actually here. The plane ride length was ghastly and I had all kinds of problems (first flight delayed two hours, missed my second flight because of it, third flight to Tokyo went well (14 hours!), and my fourth flight was just spent sleeping).
Did you know they serve “free” meals on international flights? I didn’t know that.
Anyways, time for some pictures. I haven’t taken pics of my host family’s house yet. They are wealthy. I am so lucky to have such a great family (and I love their daughter Coco who is exchanging in Japan right now). My host mother (Hong Ma Ma) Lily speaks fluent English and is an amazing person. She said she wanted to keep me for the whole year but that’s against the rules so she negotiated to keep me here for 9 months. 🙂 She’s a very good business woman from what I can tell. My second host family lives out in the countryside. My Hong Di Di (host father) speaks no English but is an AMAZING cook and really kind. We talked a little through my broken Chinese + my phrasebook.
The first four pics are from Japan.
Today (Thurs 27th) I have a rotary gathering with the women of rotary and then Friday, Saturday, and Monday I have my orientation. Sunday I’m gonna go visit my school. 🙂
As for living arrangements, I live in one of the wealthiest and foreignest parts of Taipei–Tianmu. Two or three international school are located closely. My host mother bought me a cell phone (with a camera!) that I can keep, I have my own bathroom with all my own stuff, a housekeeper will do my laundry. This is DEFINETLY all new to me.
Coco and I had emailed each other frequently pre-exchange, so we feel like good friends now. Well, when I got here, I was amazed at her generosity. She left me her best hygiene products and some cute clothes/bags for me to wear, her personal desktop comp for me to use, and all of her CDs (which include Japanese and Korean bands we both fangirl over). She bought me 3 gorgeous postcards of Taiwan, an MRT (major hi-speed train here) card with money on it, and a gift bag full of candy. Holy Cow, I LOVE this girl. She told me she wants to come home a little early so that she can meet me.
>< She told Lily that I love the Korean band Super Junior and now Lily wants to take me to see them. Also, I won’t have to wash my own hair for 9 months because Lily and Coco go to a salon 2-3 times a week to get their hair washed and dried.
I don’t know what I did to deserve all this but I am certainly going to make sure my behavior deserves it.
Josie's Taiwan Exchange 