ADAPT OR PERISH

Coffee.

Taipei being a relatively developed city, there is plenty to go around (in contrast to Lanzhou which had none.)

That being said, it isn't exactly what we're used to. The options:

• Starbucks
• Taiwan versions of Starbucks
• 7/11 and numerous other convenience stores (surprisingly popular)
• American brand chains (Dunkin' Donuts etc)
• Independent cafes (a mixed bag)

I'm just working with what I've got here. The safest thing to order is the always reliable Americano, iced right now as the weather has decided to become unbearably hot again...

It always comes with various substances one can add, I would recommend foregoing the fructose and creamer... goodness knows what is in that!

Rejoice! It is the weekend.

SORTED

photo: NY Mag

I've found myself a bit ahead study wise this week, so today I stayed home late and spent most of the morning watching the SS12 shows. 

I've found my wedding dress!

 Premature yes, but this Jil Sander gown is simply perfect.

QINGDAO ALL OVER AGAIN..

Look familiar?

We read in a guide book that watching the sun rise on Hualien's beachfront is a must, so at 4am on a Sunday, we pulled ourselves out of bed, hoped and the scooters and made for it.

TAROKO GORGE

Nearby Hualien is a spectacular marble walled gorge called Taroko. We rented scooters in the city and after a few close shaves while puttering around the block of the rental place, we were on the highway.

The gorge itself is 18km of road winding around the cliff side going through plenty of both man made and natural tunnels. There were definitely some tense moments involving enormous buses and disrespectful cars, but I'm still here to tell the tale thank goodness.

The scenery was spectacular though again, not unlike anything we have at home...

HELLO HUALIEN

Just got back from a weekend trip to Hualien, a small city south of Taipei on the east coast of Taiwan. It was lovely to paddle in the Pacific Ocean, I felt closer to home than I have in a while! We spent the weekend on scooters, taking in some of Taiwan's natural beauty, a nice change from the city scenes.

SIGNS

The sign on the wall of the restaurant we had dinner in today -  "New Zealand Beef" - there are a lot of NZ imports to be found around town. I quite like it :)


During my first days here, many people quite naturally asked where I was from. These exchanges usually resulted in a lot of confusion. After a week filled with many of these encounters I began to think it was very strange that no one had heard of New Zealand. I know it's small but it's not that small right?


One day, a very patient taxi driver finally explained to me that in Taiwan, New Zealand is not 新西兰 (xinxilan) as it is in mainland China but instead 紐西蘭 (niuxilan). Problem solved.


There are quite a few differences language wise between the Mainland and Taiwan that have taken some getting used to. 

COMFORT FOOD

The last few days have been all about comfort food.

When we ended up at a pasta restaurant for lunch yesterday, (I cannot believe it has been almost a month and we are still clueless as to where to eat... the shame) Beef Lasagne called my name. Wow, inadvertent rhyming, I must have a cold! The lasagne really did remind me of the St Matthew's days though.

There is also comfort food of the Chinese variety (which I am eating as I write!)

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

A new family member entered my life today.

At the border crossing between Shenzhen and Hong Kong last month, right where you need to walk through all the various immigration blah blah blah, my carry-on size suitcase decided rather inconveniently to give up and die right there (the pull up handle is jammed and I can't wheel it therefore it is now useless.) After much umm-ing and ahh-ing I've decided to take this as a sign to invest in a Rimowa, which I have been coveting for as long as I can remember. The entry level model yes, but totally gorgeous, I am 100% satisfied. Can't wait to try it out on a weekend trip!

FLU FIGHTER

I am sick... Again.

I don't know what is going on, this is so not me.

Luckily just down the street at my local juice bar, the owner knew exactly what to whip up to help me boost my vitamin C and ease the ache in my throat. Fresh kiwifruit (imported from NZ!!), Yakult, honey and lemon. It definitely made my day.

BY NIGHT

So in China it was all about the morning market, here in Taiwan the night market is THE thing. I have been an appalling tourist so far and only managed to go to the one next to the university, but last night I journeyed across town, TWO tedious metro changes later to the mother of Taipei night markets, the most famous, ostensibly the best, Shilin Night Market.

CHEESED OFF

I don't know what I expected.

While I was holed up in bed out of action, friends started to rave about a new discovery they had made at the night market across from our university. A few days ago, my first day out and about, my first day of eating in a while, and they took me along for the ride. Well as I say, I don't know what I expected.

It certainly wasn't this.

THIS IS A PROBLEM

Clearly this bicycle basket littering is not an isolated incident. Case in point, a friend's discovery after dinner this evening. Not only rubbish but also a hand written note asking in both English and Chinese "Will you be my language exchange partner?" This is Taiwanese friendliness to a whole new level.

On another note, let me say that it is actually impossible to ever speak Chinese here, this country is in the midst of a serious English obsession. It's American English too so I am totally obsolete. What to do?

FULL DISCLOSURE

photo: This area becomes a bustling restaurant strip at night, and it's on my street. So many options.

Given the not so positive review I've given the food I've had here so far, I thought I should actually show you what I've been eating.

BACK ON THE BIKE

Finally managed to leave the house, get on my bicycle and make it to class today, a struggle I admit. In my absence (4 days of disuse) it seems my bicycle basket turned into a rubbish bin for passers by... rude but perhaps understandable? Although so many things about Taiwan are super organised, there are barely any street side rubbish bins here. In the interest of full disclosure, I suppose the daily rubbish and recycling collection is meant to make up for this, but most of the time I just end up carrying several bottles around in my bag all day in the hope that I'll come across a bin.

DAY OFF

I've taken the day off today, still not feeling right so going to school would be pointless. Instead I plan on -

• Drinking cups and cups of Oolong tea.
• Attempting to study.
• Devouring the September issue of W. It is amazing. They just got a new fashion director so if you buy one fashion magazine this year it should be this one! and...
• Eating cherries which my flatmate got given by her company for Mid Autumn Festival. Don't you love how strong the corporate gift giving culture is in Asia ;)

CRAVINGS

photo: My kitchen, pristine and unused

I realise that I haven't talked about Taiwanese food much, and to tell you the truth, the reason is that  it really just does not interest me. This is totally disappointing but perhaps understandable given the hype it gets. People talk about Taiwan as the place that the Singaporean and Hong Kong foodies go for a change of scene, and given what I'm like when I'm in HK and all I've heard about Singapore, I though I would be surrounded by temptation. So not the case. 

MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL

Mid Autumn Festival means mooncakes.

Everywhere.

Haagen Dazs does special ice cream ones to order. Or one can go for something a bit more traditional like this -

LAZY SUNDAY

Today was the first time I've left the house since Friday night, I got sick and I blame air conditioning. Anyway, things had reached a point where I had to get out to find food. It being Sunday, a day when a surprising number of places are closed, it was either the 711 convenience store or my local breakfast place - I chose the latter.

These places are a Taiwan institution. They offer toast, sandwiches, Chinese pancakes and hamburgers with various fillings, also a selection of fried noodles and always soymilk, milk tea and coffee (not the real stuff haha.)

Today I had a vegetable and egg sandwich. Check out the bread.... so much sugar. If I feel better today, I might venture to SOGO to buy some expensive wholegrain - I think I need a taste of home today.

WEEKEND!

photo: The view of Taipei 101 building on my way home this evening

Yay the week is finally over. I'm looking forward to a weekend of nothing much in order to recover in time for class again on Tuesday.

One thing really has made it so much easier to get through the week - 

CAUGHT UP

The past few days have been absolutely exhausting. Tonight when I left the library to go home, they had even closed the front doors.... No, I'm being dramatic, it was actually only 8pm but it felt very late!

Changing class was an epic.  After dropping my original class, I had to go shopping for a new one. I've found a class that will do, after attending all the classes in my level in one day (tedious). In the end, I picked the one with the most convenient time, no more early starts for me.

Getting back into the books is also a challenge. My brain refuses to work and the traditional characters (that I seriously cannot read) are impossible to memorise.

I'm sure in a few weeks I'll be fine but right now it's not looking so good - dictation tomorrow!

Luckily we have the long weekend for Mid Autumn festival to look forward to. Are you ready for mooncakes?

WAKE UP CALL

Today I joined the gym down the street and it seems as though it couldn't have come at a better time. The awful health analysis thing was terrifying. I think I liked it better when I didn't know what my body fat percentage was...

The gym itself is pretty hilarious. It is the "World Gym" chain (hugely popular here), and I think the logo pretty much sums it up. There are 2 floors dedicated entirely to weight training which is completely over the top.

However, that is not all all why I chose it. It also has an enormous number of cardio machines, spin classes, yoga, dance and the Les Mills class series so I will not be starved for variety.

I'm looking forward to getting into it.

THE HOLIDAY ENDS HERE...

photo: NTNU Mandarin Training Center

We had orientation today so I'm all set to begin class tomorrow. I didn't get the time I wanted, I have 8am classes! I'll see how it goes but we are able to change around this week.

Textbooks have been purchased, I'm in a relatively beginner class because I cannot read the traditional characters they use here in Taiwan (much different to the simplified version used in China.) It's going to be tough going learning how to write all over again... Not something I am looking forward to.

We have 2 hours of language class everyday, and need to make up another 5 hours of supplementary classes each week be it language labs, independent study or culture classes, even sleeping in the library counts I am told! We will be getting silly time cards to log all of our hours on to make sure we comply, stupid new government requirements... I have to be good, if you have too many absences or bad grades they take away your scholarship and deport you!

Off to enjoy my last day of freedom.

CRUISING

I have to admit, I am not very impressed with Taipei's public transport. Taking the metro involves numerous line changes and there can be a 20 minute wait for the bus. I'm over it and it's only been 2 weeks! Being in China spoilt me..

Luckily, I don't need to worry about it anymore because I have independent means of getting around... and I bought it from Carrefour.

FINE DINING

In order to economize, I've been eating mainly at little holes in the wall since I arrived. However, last night I had to opportunity to visit Modern Toilet, a Taipei restaurant with a glaringly obvious theme.

ALL MOVED IN

photo: My building (looks nasty but I assure you the inside is fine)

After an evening of karaoke the night before, I wasn't exactly in top form for move in but it's all over now and just wonderful to be able to unpack properly for the first time since I left home.