Orchid Island 蘭嶼

Just got back from Orchid Island (蘭嶼) one of Taiwan’s islands. It has been a long 3 days but we just had to see everything we could so there wouldn’t be a need to go back once we saw everything. We went with one of Lana’s friend Yi Ping that is a native Taiwanese. We stayed in Taipei June 24th the night before we left because we thought it would be easier to travel to the subway station (MRT) to get to the airport to take us to the island and meet her friend at the Taipei  domestic airport.

We flew from Taipei to Taitung(台東) on June 25th where there was nothing we could walk to so, taking a taxi was the best option and was really fun to see the sites. We had a 4 hour layover so we negotiated a price with a nice taxi driver to take us around to see Taitung. But before we got on the plane I saw chicken feet sticking out of this lady’s bag that was going to fly on the same plane as us but it turns out that it wasn’t just the feet but 2 whole dead chickens that were fresh. Next was to board the plane to Orchid Island  however, that plane has been the smallest I have ever flown on since it only fit 25 people at maximum.

After we got to Orchid Island and put our suitcases in the hostel we were off on an adventure to find a famous church that was on the island and turned out to be beautiful. Then we went back to the place the program we booked with was and had dinner and were going to look for owls and flowers that only bloom at night. The next day (June 26th) we went snorkeling and saw some colorful fish and coral.

Then after we ate lunch we went to climb one of the mountains on Orchid Island which then I could see all parts of the island. Where we found this abandoned building that was really amazing. After climbing the mountain the director of the program with which we were staying took us around the island and let us take pictures of the different spots.

The last day (June 27^th) we were on the island we found out that it was the earliest place people could see the sunrise in Taiwan which was beautiful. But on our way back we tried to take the road through the mountain that we came to watch the sunrise but she turned down the wrong way, which we knew because there were too many pigs that were wandering the road. When she got to the end of the road she realized it was the wrong road and asked a native of the island to help her back down the road because Yi Ping got stuck. 

Once we got back after having a nap because we got up early it was time to pack up and leave the hostel and go visit the museum of Orchid Island before leaving. After the museum we were ready to board what looked like our same plane that we came on to go to Taitung then we had a 2 hour layover waiting to board our next plane to go to Taipei. Once we got to Taipei we bought our bus tickets to go back to Taichung and finally we could rest from traveling. It is one trip I will never forget.

Idol Meeting ANJell

Today marks the second idol meeting within a week of being in Taiwan! We met the stars of Fabulous Boys （原來是美男）which is a Taiwanese TV show that has been remade from the original Korean show You’re Beautiful the band in the show is called ANJell. Once we heard they were going to be in Taichung  we knew we had to go and see them however, we found out later that they were only giving out 500 tickets to fans to get their soundtrack signed. After we heard that we knew we had to get to the mall which happened to be the same place where Vanness performed a week ago to get spots and also get tickets. Since we had been there before we knew exactly where to go and sit and wait, luckily we got there early because there were already 4 rows filled with people ready to see them. We were then waiting for Lana's friend Eva who was going to the fan meeting with us.

Once we knew they were going to be singing songs from the albums there had been a rumor that the main actor (Jiro Wang) wasn’t going to be there because he was filming. When we heard that we were sad but we still got to meet the 3 other stars in the drama and one happened to be Korean. Before they got to the stage we once again were pointed out at being the only foreigners from America  there so everyone in the crowd turned and stared. We then were asked by the announcer who was our favorite actor in the drama and we both said Evan Yo who plays Jeremy in the show. So of course the announcer had to point it out when the actors were on stage that Evan was our favorite which made me really embarrassed.

From the first idol meeting before I wasn’t sure if it was going to be the same or different in terms of organization. It turned out to be different in that instead of singing right away they told stories about behind the scenes filming and the drama. However before they told their stories we were pointed out to the actors that there were Americans in the crowd. Then after their stories Evan Yo took the stage and performed his 2 songs he sings for the album and my favorite was 好不好 (Be With Me). It was really funny to see when Evan was singing he would make eye contact with us and of course I was smiling from ear to ear and taking photos.

Once Evan was done singing then they would call out numbers to go on the stage and get the albums signed. I happened to be number 50 so when they were calling out numbers I raised my hand and was noticed once again. When I got to the stage the Korean actor was first (Hwang In Deok) and didn’t talk to me because it seemed he was very nervous about the American and was very shy. However when my copy got to the end of the table where Evan was sitting to sign my copy he was very talkative and could speak good English and asked where I was from and said Minnesota and he then thanked me for supporting them. But when Lana got up on the stage he then asked her if she was from Minnesota too and thanked her for supporting them too. It amazes me that being here a week I got to meet 4 actors/ singers and get their autographs, I know I will always remember these moments!

Day Trip: Miaoli 苗栗

Today was the first day trip and probably won’t be the last. I went to the county of Miaoli with Lana and the Landlord of my building who showed us around the Miaoli Hakka Cultural Museum. The cultural museum serves as preservation of the Hakka culture and awareness of the Hakka people. It was really interesting to see how they lived, the handcrafts they made, and their culture. From all the embroidery to the delicate painting it was all impressive I could appreciate all their hard work and the time it took to make such beautiful things.

Next was off to find the Longteng Fallen Bridge, back in the museum Lana spotted a picture of this bridge and wanted to go and find the historical bridge. So visiting the Longteng  Fallen Bridge (龍騰斷橋) in Miaoli City  which was amazing to see since in Minnesota  there is no such structure that I have been to. Since the 1930s earthquake took away most of the railway still the support beams for this train bridge are still around. We could walk up to the top of the train tracks and look at just how high the train would have been traveling back in 1906 when it was built. Then they built a new railway close to the old tracks which was closed off so travelers could walk around and look at the new iron tracks.

It Started with a Kiss/ Museum

June 18th was the day we were going to visit the school where the first Taiwanese drama that I watched called It Started With a Kiss. Before we went to a plane that had fried dumplings one with meat, one vegetables, and one Kimchi. I have discovered while they were good I prefer the water dumplings.  We went where the famous scene was filmed at the bridge where it started my love of watching Taiwanese dramas. It didn’t feel real to stand where the actors portrayed those roles. So of course I had to have my picture taken just like the main actress!

                                     

June 19th we went to the Science Museum  which was bigger than I expected and was a lot of walking. Now until September they have the Dinosaur exhibit which was awesome especially when some of them could move. It was really interesting looking at all that they had, however a little difficult to read because it was all in Chinese and I haven’t learned the characters, but it was a good 5 solid hours of combing through all the exhibits. Next was onto the Botanical Gardens which was cool to see the plant that they had here but was smaller then I expected, however still fun! Now that the construction of pounding I beams into the ground is finally over I think I have recovered from my jet lag.

When we got back from the museum Lana had to go to our school Tunghai (東海大學) to meet with the director so I had the chance to explore the school grounds. I went to look at the book store and the famous church (Luce Memorial Chapel) that everyone talks about if people ask where we study and say Tunghai. Since Tunghai is a Christian college I had to go look at this famous church.

Idol Meeting: Vanness Wu!! 吳建豪

Sunday the start of the third day in Taiwan the goal was to go to the album signing of one of my favorite artists in Taiwan: Vanness Wu!! However we had to stop and get breakfast first and I ordered a Cheese Puff but when I got this there was no cheese in it and was very confusing but was still very delicious. Next was the bus that will take us to mall that Vanness would be performing some songs and signing his new album.

But about half way to the mall I saw this old man heading toward us and I just knew he was going to ask us something so I thought it was best to just avoid eye contact but alas this did not work as we were asked questions. He approached Lana and I and asked if we spoke English and of course we said yes and was asking us different questions about if it was our first time in Taiwan  and if we were studying or just traveling. So we said that we could speak Chinese and were going to school but then asked if we also knew Taiwanese and I never knew how different the two were until he actually started talking in Taiwanese. Then he lost me when he started speaking Chinese really fast… I guess I need to really practice more rather than just smile and nod but since its only the 3^rd day it would be okay. It seems like being an American, people in Taiwan don’t just stare at you they are brave enough to approach the foreigner let alone 2 but they all have been very friendly.

When he got off the bus we had some time to get to the stop we wanted to get off to find the building the signing was at. Turns out it wasn’t difficult as we would have thought to have found since there were fans there ready for Vanness… mind you us Americans went really early since we had no idea where the place was located. There were some fans there when we got there 2 hours early, which was a good thing we did because we got to stand within the first 4 rows of the stage he was going to be singing on. By the time more people arrived there we were really glad that we got there early because people filled up the mall space really fast. After more and more people got to the mall we were approached once again but not from an old man from a girl from Japan  asking if we spoke English and also where we were from. So we told her we were from America and she asked if she could take a picture with us so of course why not. Then she proceeded to ask if we came here just Vanness’s signing but as we were not she was still surprised we were there studying Chinese.

Some waiting to go until the event started but then the announcer came and spoke and asked where everyone there was from and there were some from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and of course us 2 Americans that stuck out specifically when she announced it and everyone turned and stared. I haven’t quite got used to the staring yet. But then he came to the stage to sing 3 songs from his album including his Different Man single and was awesome live. Then when Vanness got done signing the announcer asked again where everyone was from and when we said America he spoke perfectly in English to welcome us to Taiwan.  Next was time to stand in line to get our albums signed!! When we finally got to the stage and got to get our cd’s signed asked us where we were from in America  and said Minnesota   where we could recognize the influence of “Prince” for some of his songs. He also asked how long I had been in Taiwan  where I said 3 days so he said it was that I was awesome that I was in Taiwan  and to welcome me there.

Now it was time for us to head back to Formosa where we spit to go to our rooms mine happens to be on the 5^th floor with no elevator and no air conditioner in the hallways which is good when you are trying to loose weight and Lana had to climb one more flight to 6 to take a break from the heat and humidity. I have learned that no matter how I do to my hair it won’t matter because I straightened my hair to get ready for the event today and once outside it decided to curl the ends of my hair because of the humidity.  But really it didn’t matter because I got to meet a famous singer in Taiwan and got his autograph! 

Next was a place we went to go eat and I had a noodle dish that tasted and reminded me of hotdish back home but when eating out the portions are so big that I can’t finish it all. Next we went to the roof of the building we live in to see what it looks like at night, which was nice it was so peaceful and didn’t feel like I was in the same city as down in the streets in Taichung which had a lot of people and many mopeds. But being in Taichung doesn’t really feel like I am really here it just feels like a really good dream!

Arrival and First day

I have finally arrived in Taichung 台中! It was a long flight that consisted of watching movies and trying to sleep… and I sat by a nice American couple that was going to Bangkok. When flying internationally I did not know what to expect however, was told to move around and drink lots of water so my feet wouldn't swell, since I had an isle seat the moving wouldn't be so bad. Once in Minneapolis  passengers were already lining up to board the plane when I got to my gate. So I was off flying ready for what was to come next. I flew into Japan and getting off the plane I could feel the humidity nothing like Minnesota  weather. 

Passengers going on to connecting flights had to go through security again which wasn't as bad because I had already gone through once already. Once through security I had to find my next gate, looking for the screens that had the gate information on it. Once I found the screens it had the gates listed in Japanese then Chinese then finally English, but looking at the screen right to begin with it was intimidating since I didn't know if it was going to be in English too. But since all the signs are in English as well as Japanese it was easy to find my gate just as they were doing the pre-boarding instructions. Waiting at the Japanese airport really made leaving the country real versus the morning I left it just felt like my family and I were shopping not actually sending me off. Standing and waiting to board the plane it felt like I was in a dream but seeing as I was one of few white Americans waiting to board the plane it began to set in that I was leaving. 

Once air bound for Taipei  it was more movie watching and trying to get at least some sleep since I didn't sleep on the long 12 hour flight. But once in Taiwan I followed the line of people to begin to enter the country. Once I was cleared to enter now it was time to find the baggage claim, which all signs were in Chinese and in English to it wasn't that hard to find. Waiting for my luggage with everyone else that was on this 2 deck plane was simple to navigate. Now that I found my luggage next was to find the driver to take me to the apartment that I was staying at which wasn't as hard as I would have thought since he held up a sign with my name on it just like in the movies. I didn't know what to expect when meeting him but once I did I found that he was very helpful even though he didn't speak any English. Now I was trying really hard to remember what I had learned in Chinese to make conversation with him but couldn't since I was so tired from the plane ride. Once in the car I was out until I got to Taichung and then the driver was trying to find where Lana was and the apartment building that I would now be living in. Once out of the air conditioned car my glasses fogged up instantly because of how hot and humid it was. I have heard about places with high humidity but was not expecting it. Now it was time to fill out paperwork and try to get some sleep. Below is the view from my room on a clear day.

The next day which was Friday I needed to get a bus card so we didn’t have to walk but everyone speaks Chinese so fast it was hard to understand luckily I had Lana to help! Then we went out for lunch at Finga’s which is an American type restaurant and had a light lunch and walked around that part of Taichung. We then had to head back because we were meeting another girl Jordyn from the same university that I went to that was in Taiwan for supper at a famous dumpling place called Din Tai Fung which is really famous and originated in Taichung. Then we headed to the night market to experience a lot of people in a few block radius where I needed to buy an umbrella because it was down poring. It’s funny that we had never met before but were in the same foreign country.

Saturday I needed some essentials for my room so after Lana got back from the doctor with a diagnosis of acute tonsillitis we went to have a noodle dish and dumpling that would make her feel better. Then we went to buy a garbage can, garbage bags and of course more water. I never experienced humidity as it is here once I leave the comfort of my air condition room and take a couple steps I am already sweating but it is still awesome that I am finally hear after talking about going for so long. But it has been fun so far and am excited to see what we will be doing next.

Pre-Departure

It is now exactly a week until I will leave for Taiwan to study abroad. It seems like a long time that I can’t actually believe its happening and I will be leaving for 3 months. It all started 2 years ago when a friend thought it would be a good idea to study Chinese because according to her teacher at the time, who would eventually become my teacher Chinese could be paired with any degree. Being an engineering student I didn’t believe it but I attended the class and thought it was interesting. So for the past 2 years I have been studying the Chinese Language in hopes of traveling abroad to gain the experience of living and learning in a different country. So now I am going to meet one of my friends that is already there studying the language.

When I first started studying this language to get better accustomed to hearing I was advised to listen to Chinese music and TV, so I decided to start with Taiwanese artists that sang in Chinese. At the time I thought it was weird listening to songs I couldn’t understand but once I listed to them enough I eventually picked up on some of their sayings. The same with TV but once I got out of the initial “this is weird” stage I began to accept that the shows were funny and helpful to learn how to pronounce words and how it was used in sentences. Now I even like to sing in the car to them!

Now looking back to what started this journey of me traveling abroad, I am glad I did not give up on something that I initially thought was unusual to study the Chinese language. But looking toward my coming adventure with packing and getting ready, I am feeling nervous and excited to travel somewhere I have never even thought of going before. I am also not exactly sure what to expect but I know it will be fun! I will miss my family but luckily there is skype so we can actually see and talk to each other!

More to come when I arrive in Taiwan!!