Taipei Visitors Hostel

... they haven't done that yet). After which, I walked (yes walked, in an attempt to acclimatise myself to the weather) to the Guang Hua Computer Market. On the walk there, which wasn't too bad as there was a slight cool breeze, the streets of Taipei reminded me of a mixture between Hong Kong with the traditional Chinese characters, but also Shanghai with the highways just above the main roads and narrow sidewalks barely big enough for 2 people to walk by each ...

... city on an overnight layover. We didn't get to talk much because my stop came up. I get off and cross the street to an obvious outdoor night market. The guide/map said it was the best in Taiwan, with the most people, shops, and food. Well I was pretty upset because for the first 15minutes or so of walking, I saw absolutely no food. Just tons of shopkeepers yelling really loudly and a lot of people walking around. But turns out I just had to walk a bit more to hit the food ...

... the guys that stayed with us had been staying at the hostel for over a month because he was in the process of finding an apartment to stay at. The other two people were what appeared to be German newlyweds who were exploring Asia. The hostel did have two bathrooms where we all showered in the morning. It was a good experience and I definitely see a lot of potential for hostels to provide opportunities to meet new and interesting people. I intend on ...

... was roofed in, lights installed, a paved walkway added, and snake vendors removed. Unfortunately, the main draw for tourists were the snakes. Today the snakes can again be purchased but only for the sake of food consumption. No photos are allowed and specific dining areas are provided. The Taipei Flower Market is a color feast for the eyes and a rewarding stop. Orchids are a major export and orchid vendors occupy a large section. Lyn ...

After spending two days in Taipei we heading for the hills.... Taroko gorge off the beautiful eastern coast of Taiwan. The Taroko gorge is known for its amazing cliffs, valleys, waterfalls, hot springs and hiking trails. After a three hour a train ride and an hour and half bus ride we made it to Taroko. The area only had two hotels a visitor area and two really bad looking fast food stands (I think I saw more flys than actual food!). We came for the hiking so at that ...

... than us on their shopping trip. Saturday was our last trip Dan Shui. My grandmother arranged a family portrait, and some people weren't happy because it was last minute. I didn't mind because it meant that I got to hang out with Long Long and her older sister, Amy. Long Long liked hitting Eric in the butt. For lunch, a lot of relatives I didn't know arrived. There was so much food that we kids lefts in the middle to play. Amy and Long Long's brother Willy ...

... every block. There isn't a lot of traditional chinese architecture around the hospital. This building is located right next to the Highness Hotel. I have no idea what it is. The rest of the surrounding area is pretty much western style. Marlene is back in the room. Jet-lag has really affected her.

... hope not to repeat my blister experience. Turning a few km into No.9 side road I get off the bus and begin walking to Fushan. I forgot to mention that I will meet Wallace, a retired engineer and now hobby English and Chinese teacher, in Wulai - later more. When I so walk along the road a car honks - many cars honk in a friendly and encouraging tone -, but this one comes to a stop. A woman gets out of the car and comes towards me. She says " Hello Mong Shengshen ...

... Democracy Hall) which is a geourgeous pavilion of scultured gardens and gold fish-filled ponds with two massive traditional Chinese-style buildings, one a concert hall and the other an exhibition hall, that reside behind a beautiful five-arched Ming dynasty gate, all of which stand in the shadows of the 70 meter tall, white-marbled and blue-tiled roof of the CKS Memorial. The CKS Hall has two sets of marbled stairs with a ...

... that to people who want to know if God exists or not. But I guess the best answer I can give is that it's good he's incomprehensible. Otherwise, he might just have been a man like any of us. So yeah, that's pretty much what I've learned in the past couple weeks in a nutshell. I want to sort of make a disclaimer though, just in case. Like I've said before, I had built up a really negative view about the church and about American Christianity just thoughout some of ...