Apartment hunting
Well, no such luck so far. I’ve been sleeping on a friend’s couch for a few days since I got here. I looked at a nice one a couple of days ago, and the shower was unbelievably tiny! No joke. If you were to turn on the shower, it would be hitting the toilet. They don’t like to separate the showers from the rest of the bathroom here. I have resigned myself to this sacrifice, but that one was just not enough showering space. So the search continues. I’ve looked at a couple more with someone who wants me to be her roommate, but honestly, I’ve decided that I want to live on my own for now. So today, I’m moving into a friend’s apartment, she has 3 bedrooms and it is really cheap for her even though she is staying by herself. I convinced her to let me use the empty bedroom and I will pay her. So that is where I’m going today, then hopefully find my own studio soon.
One thing I’ve noticed is that people tend to sugar coat things here. You have to really focus on the fine print. This one woman was bragging about this studio, turns out it was attached to her house and she was using a bookshelf on wheels in order to create “privacy.” Not happening, no thanks.
Last night I went to the night market with some friends. It was very interesting! It seems to be the place for food and shopping for most young people. I’m telling you, the food here is a little scary, but I have to atleast try it once!! In my pictures above, you will see the different types of things that are sold there.
Well, that is all that I have time for now, I’ve got to get ready for work! I’ll keep you all posted some more later!
My First Week in Taiwan!
Hey Everyone! I was hoping to get this up sooner, but I have been extremely busy the past few days. I decided to keep a blog because referring everyone to this site is easier than writing the same thing to 10 different people. So….where to start?
The flight-
Was miserable. I was only functioning on 3 hours of sleep for 3 days because of the level of my excitement! I hit a road block at the Orlando Airport and thought I wasn’t going to make it, but it worked out. I flew United to San Francisco and some lady bumped me out of my window seat! Well, she had 3 kids and wanted to sit with them so I could have claimed it back, but would have looked like a jerk. So I couldn’t sleep on that flight because I had no where to rest my head. Then, I got to San Fran Airport and my flight to Taipei was delayed by 2 hours. It was freezing in the airport! Once again, no sleep. Finally, I got onto the plane and was not too thrilled about being stuck in between two people. I only caught minimal sleep on that flight and kept waking up everytime I felt frost bite. They keep the plane below freezing level and give you this paper thin midget blanket that is supposed to keep you warm? I finally had to use the bathroom and had an extended Chris Farley scene from Tommy boy…it was all too comical. Reaching my destination, I wandered around the airport like a lost puppy until I found someone holding up a paper with my name on it. And, no, he did not say “Ash-er-rey!” Too bad…I needed a funny moment like that. There was another teacher that helped me right away who was also in the car being picked up from the airport.
One thing I have noticed is that these foreign teachers are from all over the world: South Africa, Germany, Australia, U.S., etc. It is an amazing thing to be around so many people who make traveling a living! I feel like these people know exactly how I feel. Some of them have been at it for more than 10 years teaching across the world! They are very intellegent and informative. So far, only a few Taiwanese have stopped me off of the street to ask me where I was from. They seem to be very nice here.
Currently, I am staying with a few other teachers and looking for an apartment in the meantime. I’m hoping to have one this weekend. Everything here is super small though. And dryers are unheard of, so I will be line drying all of my clothes!
I’ve been taking the MRT and bus throughout the city to get me to work and other places. I would be lost without the friends who are helping me because of the language barrier.
I LOVE the food here! I had sushi the other day and it was excellent! I also get a different kind of juice every day, you name the fruit, they have it!
As far as classes are concerned-I observed for a half day and was then thrown into substitute teaching on my second day! I had barely any notice and had to wing it, but it was a wonderful experience. I’m already falling for the kids here, they are so cute and have such amazing personalities. I’m surprised at how much English they already know at age 6 or 7, they are extremely intelligent here. The school I’m teaching at is private, and the parents pay a pretty penny to send them there.
Random facts-
-I have not had a blow dryer since I’ve been here, all natural baby!
-I can’t flush the toilet paper.
-When on the bus, I have to give my seat up to an old person.
-Father’s day was August 8th- baba=father. ba= the number 8.
-I have been sweating more than I ever thought possible.
-My friend almost got run over by a scooter, and yes, I observed this.
-Our students are taught the word “poo poo” and tend to overuse it.
-I have seen a living dog…
-Apparently, dentists are not very popular here judging by the kids’ teeth.
-I have truly earned my nickname “Narky” seeing as I have fallen asleep during conversations every single day. I have never felt so tired!
