Day 2
Good morning!
I really wish my camera had not just had the battery die. I just had breakfast (dan bing gan re he nai cha) and wanted to take pictures. Now I am in Daan Forest Park which is gorgeous. It is a two-block long/wide park in downtown Taipei (in the Daan district). It is also the largest park in Taipei. It is roughly 10:00 am and from the bench I am sitting on I can see a group of people on the stage doing Taichi, a guy on a hill sitting on a blanket and meditating (he was doing some exercises earlier ~ I also can't see his face very well - it looks like he either has a full beard or wearing a face mask...) a lady walking her dogs (with a mask on), some park workers sweeping up, a random collection of small spinning (colored) windmills (they look like they are larger versions of children's pinwheels), and some VERY fat pigeons.
**Note**
People are very friendly ~ and forgiving. I ordered breakfast and couldn't find my wallet. The boss kept my food hot for me while I ran back to the apartment (only to find my wallet was in my backpack...) When I came back she helped me and brought my food to me.
I really hope it is not going to start raining... It is so peaceful here... I am slowly falling more and more in love with Taipei. Each experience is teaching me something new - opening my eyes to what it would be like to live here. Today I am going to go shopping. After my morning in the park (yah, I might stay here that long!) I am going to head out to Zhongshang St. It should be very interesting! I will be going on streets I have never seen before with my (very) limited Chinese. This is important. I VOW to improve my listening comprehension and speaking before I move here. Even if I don't move here, I will improve it.
How Embarrassing!
A huge pigeon just walked (waddled) up to me and some guy heard me say, "Hi...big birdie...who is walking up to me."
I will stop for lunch somewhere and then venture to the stores. Hopefully I will be able to pick up
- hairbrush
- hairbands
- messenger bag
- phone charm
- "cute poop"
- interesting piece of cloth
AND find my way back!
Erin says I will be able to buy Chinese/English bibles at the church on Sunday. She and Rick are going to be out of town on a business trip so I might be staying with Erin's friend. After I successfully make it back, I will meet up with Erin for dinner ~ and then we are off to the nightmarkets!
So... I will check in here periodically and let you know how my first day (solo) goes. I really wish I had my camera...
Day 3
This morning I thought today was going to be very boring ~ I woke up and was sore from all my walking yesterday! I went to Matsusei's grocery store and bought breakfast (cereal, milk and a waterbottle and a bottle of water) and then went back to Erin and Rick's apartment. I ate breakfast and watched the rest of Throughly Modern Millie. I then met up with Erin at the Teppanyaki buffet and then met up wit her friend Judy for some more touristic activities. We walked through Daan Park to see the flower market ~ unfortunately it is only open on the weekends (today is Friday). So we caught a bus and visted Taipei 101 (after re-filling my EasyCard at the nearest 7-Eleven). We wandered around Taipei 101 for a while, sat and ate ColdStone ice cream, and talked. (The ice cream here is interesting. It kind of sticks together...when you pick up a spoonful it leaves a trail behind..I don't know how to explain it. The taste is good ~ a little more creamy and a little less sugary). We then walked through Werner Village (the street sign said, "New York New York") and then went to Gongguan. Before bible study we stopped by her apartment and then found some food to eat. (She had a pork bun [which smells delicious] and I had a pastry bun filled with sweet onion ~ fantastic!) ~ There was a seller right next to the bun shop selling stinky tofu...yes...it smells. Will I ever eat it? Maybe. I am open to trying it but the smell is terrible.
The bible study was good ~ each person there had good insights to the passage (1 Peter 1). Although I got a bit bored because I did not understand what was being said (and it lasted for 3 1/2 hours) I enjoyed it and am glad I went. After the study Paul and his friend Kenneth came up and started talking to me. (Judy is a social butterfly and was occupied talking). Paul's English is very good ~ he completed his graduate studies in Atlanta. He is also in a dance crew ~ hopefully I will be able to see them sometime (their name is Oaf). Paul then invited us to a bar (or as Judy says, "pub"). We decided to join them ~ I am glad we did! I enjoyed myself immensely and can't wait to be able to carry on a conversation in Chinese! I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.
Judy is such a doll. Her English is great! Although I have only known her for 9 hours, we have already had some deep theological conversations, some good laughs, and some fun outings. Before I got out of the cab tonight she said, "I am glad I know you. You are such a blessing." She is the sweetest. She let me wear a cute hate ~ I need to give that back to her. All-in-all, a very good day!
**Note**
My legs are incredibly sore from all the walking. It makes me happy to know that I am walking so much! =) Today is going to be a little bit of a slower day ~ It is 2:30pm and I haven't done anything but eat and update Facebook. =P Judy is going to call me after she goes to a wedding with her family. Then we will head over to Gongguan and do some shopping. =) I will let you know how it goes! I love you all ~ and miss you... =P
Xiao Ke Ai
