After one and a half weeks, I finally found some quiet time to write a couple of lines concerning my current status. The first question, however, pops up right away: where to begin? My jet lag is finally gone. Nope, bad start. Try again.
So much happened during those couple of days that I really have troubles putting it all in a post that doesn't screw up your 27'' LCD screen. It all started with a short stopover at Dubai International Airport and a rather long one at Hong Kong International Airport. The latter actually included spending a cozy night convoluted at a bench next to Gate 4, trying to get some sleep. The reason for this was my connecting flight the morning after to a place which will be playing a special role in my life this year: Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.
I always thought that especially the first few days in a new environment were particularly hard, and indeed they were. The other exchange students and me went out the first evening until 4am, the second until 5am and the one after that until 5am as well, making it pretty difficult for me to lose my jet lag as I was going to bed at GMT 10pm every day. All in all, I met so many people so fast that I had a hard time remembering names and faces. Often I introduced myself twice or thrice, but the others didn't care; they as well were sure that we have never met before. There was so much to do and see that I had no control over my life any more. The first week, I didn't manage to unpack my suitcases, get a Taiwanese phone number or even enough sleep. It didn't feel wrong though. It just felt insane.
For the most part, the group of exchange students I am hanging out with is comprised of Germans, followed by American and French people. It is still a nice diversity mix, making the cultural exchange outstanding. People are interacting and organizing so many activities that it's difficult to decide whether you want to go surfing, climbing, roadtripping, partying or just chilling on the weekends. Concerning the first option, surfing: I have not tried this at all until last Sunday. And believe me, I got hooked. If I learn nothing this year, at least I will learn how to surf. Tomorrow I am going to the East Coast of Taiwan again to hit the waves. I really can't wait!
Other activities I participated in included a trip to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a really impressive building bordered by the National Theater and the National Concert Hall, as well as a visit to the truly famous Taipei 101 tower. After just 39 seconds in the elevator you are on the top, enjoying the gigantic outlook over the metropolis.
For the daily eat, the night markets are pretty handy. For many, Taiwan is the country of Asia with the best street food, and the countless food stalls seem to prove that point. Anything you can imagine is to be found on the street, for the price of just one or two Euros. Concerning food in Asia, there is one golden rule however: don't ask what is in it or how it is made.
Just eat it.
Besides the feeling of awe you have just walking through the streets, trying not to get hit by one of the millions of scooters while looking up the neon-lit signs with strange-looking Chinese symbols (seriously, how should I ever learn this language?), the friendliness of the people baffles me each and every time. The level of English on the street is generally not the best, but folks try to help you so much once they see you are kind of completely lost. Sometimes, they bring stuff for you to point at, sometimes, they ask young people to translate your blabbering. Yesterday it happened to me that, while trying to enquire something in a mobile phone shop, a young girl not only helped but stopped me on the street later on to offer me her full support concerning my problem. We ended up shopping some necessary items for my room like a carpet or a guitar (I found one for only 12 Euros), and later on I invited her for coffee to show her my great appreciation.
Before closing with an anecdote, I cordially want to invite everyone who considered visiting me in Taiwan. You won't regret having spent a lot of money for the flight! You'll be amazed and delighted by Taipei and the wonderful landscapes that present themselves to you just an hour outside the big city. Unfortunately, I can't host you in my room due to the strict no-guests-overnight-policy of the dorm, but I will do my best to organize you cheap or even free accommodation. What's more, visiting Taiwan is a good way to flee from the Austrian winter. Should you join me here during New Year's Eve, I promise you 15-20 degrees. Plus, of course.
Well, thank you all for tuning in again and...wait, didn't I promise an anecdote? Indeed I did. So here it goes: when I was walking home from a club last Wednesday, I stumbled upon a place I only knew from reports so far. The venue was called "Revolver", and due to its excellent reputation, I decided to give it a try. I was really glad to find a kind of Stadtwerkstatt where normal people just want to dance, not a fancy club thing which is way overpriced and plays bad music. A DJ from South Africa presented a flyer to me for a big party on Friday and invited me to come. Which I did yesterday evening/today morning, explaining the situation that I only woke up 2 hours ago. For your information, it is already 6pm here in Taipei.
Let me conclude with a memorable sentence one exchange student from Germany said: "Life is treating us well here in Taiwan". It really does.
再見,
Martin
-fantastic Formosa
0 comments:
Post a Comment