Thursday, January 23, 2014

I am not an adventurer by choice, but by fate.

Deric's visit to Taiwan!

Deric was set to arrive in Taipei at 9:30 P.M. on Friday night. As I had predicted the layover flight in Tokyo was delayed. I continually checked my flight tracker app, trying not to fall asleep in the FlipFlop Hostel I booked for us, just behind the Taipei Main Station. When he arrived at the airport, at 11:00 P.M. he called me from a pay phone and I told him to jump on the bus to Taipei Station. Just over and hour later a women called me trying to help Deric and I find each other. While I was circling the bus station he was at the high speed rail. Finally about 1:00 A.M. We found each other on the streets of Taipei. Whew!
Having not really slept on the plane, the excitement of finally being here, and the beds at the hostel not being quite big enough for him, he had little to no sleep in him as we took an early start to our day in Taipei! 
We bought an all day MRT, metro rail transit, pass and headed towards Taipei 101. We were EXTREMELY lucky to have had a beautiful, no cloud in the sky, kind of day while visiting Taipei 101. On nice days like the one we had, is the only time they allow people onto the 91st floor which had the outside observatory area. We bought our tickets and took the Guinness World Record, fastest passenger elevator up to the 88th floor. The ride took 36 seconds and we traveled 1,010 meters per minute, which you'd never notice besides your ears popping.
Certification from Guinness World Records in front of the elevator.
On the 88th floor was an enclosed 360 degree view of the capitol city of Taipei. Countless buildings, temples, mountains, and a river came into view. A free audio tour on a flip phone type of thing was offered and we each had our own as we walked around, learning more about the structure, the city, and exactly what we were looking at outside of it.
Walking down to the 87th floor was the enormous yellow damper that helps to keep balance to the record breaking building in case of earthquakes, typhoons, ect. Also on this floor was the worlds highest jewelry boutique which mainly features coral jewels.

Our last, and most exciting stop was the 91st floor. Again thankful for the beautiful day, we enjoyed the view and took more photos. When we left we ventured to the World Trade Center, but it was lacking in fascination for both of us so we hopped back onto the MRT to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
C.K.S. was a 20th century political and military leader of KMT (a nationalist party) taking the place of Sun Yat-sen after his death. "Under his rule Taiwan developed extremely rapidly into one of the four Asian Tiger exonomies...becoming a major player in world trade."
Sun Yat-sen Memorial.
Guards stand at their post every day from 9-5. 
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial.
Guards are also posted outside of his memorial from 9-5 daily.
View over CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei 101 and the Taiwan flag also visible. 
Entrance to C.K.S Memorial Hall
One more stop planned for the day we headed to the National Museum of Taiwan, but after eating a great lunch we decided it was time to head back to Taichung for the events of Saturday night. 
A three hour bus ride home later we were at the Taichung main Station where my scooter awaited us. In a hurry to get home, we loaded onto my scooter. Two suitcases, two backpacks, and two people squished onto my scooter and somehow made it back to my apt in one piece. Quite the ride. And yes I was driving my 6'6 friend on the back.
Sharing cheesecake with the Birthday Girl Holli!
Quickly got ready so we could head to the palace for Holli's 26th birthday party. About 20 or so people gathered at her place then we headed off for Deric's first and only experience of the Taiwan club, XCube. It was a great time, the Taiwan girls loved him and we all danced.
Angela and I 
Katie, Cassie, and I
Early the next morning, Amy, Stephanie, Deric, and I headed to Puli where we would meet two younger gents who've knacked the art of paragliding. Instructor Karlis took me for the first flight and instructor Tim took Stephanie just after. After being strapped in, hearing all the rules of what to do and what not to do with take off, the camera, and landing, we were ready for lift off. The only thing I needed to do was whatever he told me to do, first being to run. I did my best, but when the glider came up it yanked us back and me off the ground. I touched once more and then we were up!

I had the best flight of the day overall. We were up for over 20 minutes. Reaching, what he estimated to be over 1000 meters above sea level. I wanted the spins and the tricks so after 5-10 minutes of relaxing and enjoying the scenic ride we did some G force tricks that I couldn't tell you what were called. He did say that one was something many flyers don't get to do. The wind was on my side. Even when he tried to land us near our take off, the wind thermals kept whisking us back into the air.
Realizing we couldn't land, we headed to the landing zone at the base of the mountain. He told me to put my feet up, then stand up, but this was quite the challenge. As we landed my legs seemed like jelly and I couldn't stand until he helped me up. Steph landed soon after, and that when the nausea kicked in. The bumpy, windy ride back up the mountain, I really thought I'd hurl.
You can check out the SWEET video of my flight --->here
Eating sugar cane afterwards to help settle my stomach.
Karlis then took Amy and Tim took Deric, unfortunately the wind died quite a bit on them. Deric wasn't up much longer than 5-7 minutes, dropped, they re-tried, and that flight was even shorter. Karlis was quite awesome and let Deric come back on Monday to re try. They had to give it a second shot again, but then he finally stayed up for over an hour. When we came back Sunday night, the four of us ate Teppenyaki! Something I get at least once a week here. The line up of cooks loved having us there, and they tried to ask Deric about being a basketball player.
Teppanyaki!
Although Deric was gawked at quite frequently throughout his time here, it was in Puli his first big fan ran up to him. He was saying admirations in Chinese and wanted Deric to rub his head.

What happens if you are not accepted into heaven.
The first medical books of Chinese medicine.
Famous Chinese Agricultural sayings.
Not sure if they all translated correctly.
I still taught everyday this week. Monday night I took Deric to the night market near us, EChung, and we ate at Rabbit Rabbit. Tuesday he had our school lunch for the first time and loved it. Our cook is the best I swear. Then we went to the science museum, which proved to be a bit disappointing because much of it did not have English translation.

I headed to class and afterwards we went to Joe John's BBQ. One of my favorites in Taichung. Everything comes on skewers, you choose your food they BBQ it in their own seasoning with a logo "Rome was not built in a day" and "Fast is slow" plastered on the walls while you wait. Two nights in a row, taking Deric out to eat we were given coupons for free food for our next visit, that had never happened to us girls. What does that tell ya?
Joe John's - chicken, salmon, beef, broccoli, green peppers,
tomatoes, mushrooms, tofu, onions. Yumm!
The worst part of the time he spent here happened on our scoot ride home. While going straight down a main road, an SUV decided to turn right into an alley. There was no way we could stop in time, both knowing the hit was coming, we smashed our left side into the SUV and flew a few more feet into the side of the road. Deric got the scooter off my ankle and we both got up, luckily neither of us seriously hurt. His hands were the worst on him, my left side being the worst on me. We spent over 2 hours talking with police, had to take a breathalyzer, and exchange info. The police and the other driver were incredibly nice for dealing with someone who knew very little Chinese. Surprisingly the police don't "find fault" and no tickets were given. My knee was cut up and I had many dark bruises covering the left side of my body, but again we were lucky it was not any worse.
Deric came to visit my 3rd graders. I had them write questions down that wanted to ask him. They were estatic to meet him, especially because he was taller than our doorway. Questions varied from, "Do you have a big yard? How tall are you? Do you have a dog? Favorite food? Do you like Taiwan? Do you have a good mom? Do you love T. Kalee?" At least 20 minutes of giggles, questions, and smiles. 

Wednesday night we went to Modern Toilet. Another restaurant in EChung night market which theme focuses on toilet bowls, bath tubs, urinals, and poo shaped desserts. We had hot pot, which is a Taiwan specialty. A giant bowl of veggies, meat, tofu, and seafood in a boiling pot of a broth of your choosing. Kelly and Brittany joined us for this, offering to scoot Deric since I was now too scared to. After this night he was over scooter rides and not having control. 



Thursday took him to the art museum, he got to play with kindergarten kids after school, and in the evening he played basketball with Mike and Kelly at the university courts. While playing with the kids, he of course was "the ghost." The kids went bananas for him. It was an adorable sight to see them chase him, then scream and run away when the roles reversed. 
Friday we went to the Jade Market and after school met Holli and Katie for dinner at Bollywood. Another favorite with delicious Indian food. We then went to Feng Jia night market, the biggest in Taichung, and headed home. He has yet to buy anything from Taiwan. Besides candy from Family Mart that he's thrilled to stock up on.
On the train to Hualien!
Early Saturday morning we took the HSR to Taipei and from there we took a train to Hualien. We arrived in Hualien around 12:30, had some lunch, and when we called our hostel to find it's location they came right to us and picked us up. We spent the next few hours mapping out our tour for Taroko, relaxing, and I insisted on playing with their adorable little puppy Chocolate. Later on we walked Main Street to see the Chinese New Year decorations underway, walked to the night market where he tried banana milk, and had some delicious dumplings from  a local street vendor. Deric also became obsessed with dumplings. 
Sunday morning we spent the entire day in Taroko National Park. One of the other teachers who has already been to Taroko recommended getting a taxi tour guide to take us throughout the entire place, stopping where we'd like, and not having to worry about slow busses or large groups. We did this, and Mr. Wong was awesome! Deric and I had picked 5 places that we definitely wanted to see or hike at, we accomplished that and more. Our first stop was up along the coast near Chonge Trail.
The water was beautiful!
Then Shakadong Trail, which was "little bosses" favorite hiking area.  
Longest suspension bridge. Needed permission to cross.
Stopped at an old road bridge, saw an area that had been damaged by rockfall when an earthquake hit 5 years ago, and Sipan Dam.
Road that was no longer able to be seen because landslide of rocks. 
Another land slide, hope the guy got out okay.

We walked along the Swallow Grotto Trail between the enormous rocks, mostly made of marble.
Life is beautiful.
We had lunch after seeing the Buluwan Upper and Lower Terrace and the Meader Core Trail at a cabin style hotel which featured many aboriginal artwork of the Taroko people. 

Unsure of running out of time we had Mr. Wong take us to the Baiyan Waterfall Trail. We spent the most time here, because at the end is a dark cave to walk through with a "curtain" of water comes down on you. I was a bit scared, but it was one of the best parts of the day! On our way put of the trail, just as we were about to go through another cave I spotted a monkey!! 
Deric and Mr. Wong. ^_^

A couple more stops on the way out, at an 8-faced Budda, Tianxiang, and the ocean once more. 
Monday we headed back to Taipei to go to the Zoo. The Giant Panda House is now open with a new baby panda on exhibit. It was absurd how crazy the Taiwanese were for this baby panda. All you could see was the back of the cub yet people were going coo-coo. We did see koalas, kangaroos, camels, lions, penguins, hyenas, wolves, rhinos, hippos, chimps, baboons, and emus. 
I said goodbye to Deric Monday night, headed back to Taichung, and he spent his last two nights in a town south of Taipei near the airport. While he was here he didn't try speaking too much Chinese. He did say "hello-ni hao" and "thank you - shie shie" a few times. I found it hilarious that his voice boomed these phrases that are normally spoken so soft and gentle. It was so great to have someone visit, but I am excited only be responsible for myself again. Chinese New Year and my birthday are just around the corner! 

I DID re-sign for year 2 in Taiwan :-) Thanks for reading -K