Hello Hello

Greetings from my little bo-peep room in Taipei City. First, I would like to begin with an apology for my lack of “Travel Blogging” I got carried away and did not find time to blog. Which, I feel was wrong of me because you have missed out on many happenings. So I will do my best to catch you up with what I’ve done so far in Taipei. I’ve been in Taipei a little over 2 weeks now, and I already feel like I’ve been living here for months. I am still adjusting to life in Taiwan and the many new things I take in every day. I can’t decide on whether these 3 months will fly by or whether I’ll be counting the days until it’s over. As of now, I’m counting days, but that’s because I’ve just began classes and I still don’t know many faces yet.

I’m going to do my best to sum up the 2 weeks in a nut shell (Kind of)

Arriving to Taiwan –

After a 14 hour flight, including 2 movies, 3 tv shows, and who knows how many hours I actually slept I arrived around 6 am into the Taipei international airport. It was dead here, no one, and I mean literally no one was at this airport. I am not sure if it’s because it was early morning or if no one in general visits Taiwan. I was picked up by my language partner back at home’s family. I stayed with them for a day as they helped me transition into this new world, new home of mine. They took me to night markets, scenic views, and even into the mountains. I also had the opportunity to visit the Chiang-Kai Shek Mausoleum, where his body remains.

Grace and Sherry (Who I stayed with)

After a day in Taoyuan, they brought me to Taipei city where I will be living for the next 3 months. My arrival to my new apartment was much anticipated. I was scared to be alone now and didn’t really want the family to leave me, but I sucked it up and went on my own.

My Apartment –

Well, how do I even describe it? As I walked into the apartment for the first time a foul smell overcame every sense of my body. I could see flies everywhere, and the kitchen was a mess. As I was led into my room, I almost died. It smelt like cat piss. There were no sheets, the room was not cleaned out by the girl who lived before me, and the bathroom had mildew everywhere.

Lonley room (sorry for the mess)

My bathroom was a new story, my first shower that I took was a mess. First, the bathroom that I have is the kind where the shower, toilet and sink all share the same surface area. Meaning, where I pee is where I shower, literally. So, the drains were clogged, with probably the females who used the bathroom before me, so as I showered gross much water raised over and I could see unpleasant things floating. I could barely handle it.

I found a cockroach in the bathroom too (nearly screamed) and ran out immediately. I was afraid to use my bathroom for a few days. Bought cockroach killing this but I wouldn’t go near it. My roommate was so kind to get rid of it (and later cleaned the bathroom)

I don’t want to complain about my room though.

I’ve managed to be a tourist as well :) I’ve gone to Northern Taipei, in a town called “Dan Shui” it was a beautiful port with mountains. But it was raining as I went. I went to the Taipei Zoo, but it was so hot I only saw the pandas and I left :) I’ve gone to the Museum of Contemporay Art (In which I waited 5 hours in line, long story) and the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. I’ve gone to some night markets, but I still really haven’t gotton used to all the smells in the area. I am not a fan of the numerous smells.

Things I’ve tried

臭豆腐 – Stinky Tofu, the worst thing any person can eat. But it’s popular here in Taiwan.

The beast tofu, it was so nasty.

Steamed Buns – Delicious, I eat them every day

Milk Tea – I also have this every day

And some other random foods.

Class started last week Thursday. I have a total of 6 students in my class including me. Two of the students are Japanes and are married to each other, they are an older cute couple. I have 1 other American and another Japanese and I haven’t figured out the 6^th persons ethnicity yet. I will do this later this week.

So, that was Taiwan in a nut shell. I will keep this updated better. Thanks for reading :)

Gonna post random photos now. I will put in captions too.

Coming to Taiwan I thought I knew how to use Chopsticks, Nope, turns out I really can't. So, my goal by the end of this summer is to be an expert. So far, it's been a fail.

Having hot pot with some newly made friends :)

Did I forget to mention that heat is unbearable here? I mean the weather!!! So, I decided to just chop off all my hair :( I am sad, I miss it, but it's better than sweating all day. (I walk outside and 1 minute later it looks like I just got out of the shower)

Hope you enjoyed.