Taiwan, at last!
Trip Start
Sep 18, 2007
1
8
28
Trip End
Apr 17, 2009
Taoyuan,
Taiwan
Sunday, September 23, 2007
We landed in Taiwan around 3 PM in 32 degree weather and humidity. I was wearing a long-sleeved turtleneck (it had been chilly in Vancouver) and was now roasting. I followed the 'baggage claim' signs until I reached a customs point. There, they informed me I needed to walk all the way to where I had been and take the 'Sky Train' to terminal two. ARGH! I was not impressed by this. I was tired, cranky, hot and with feet so swollen that it hurt to walk. I kept my cool and was able to drag my tired carcass back and board a very packed train to terminal two. Found my bags with no problems and then exited to the main waiting area to find the people who would have a sign with my name on it. I found them right away, which was just great. Sandy Chang (the hiring manager) was the one there picking me up and we made our introductions while the driver went to get the car.
The drive to Taoyan was short, and thankfully in an air conditioned car. I was taken to the Tung-An dorm and shown to my very small room. LOL. Sandy wanted to go over the contract with me and stuff (I guess they really fear people bolting on them upon arrival) and waited for me while I showered and freshened up. She took me to a nearby cafe and I had a salad and a super delicious green tea latte. We covered all the basics and then I was escorted back to the dorm.
I arrived in the middle of the mid-autumn festival and so there was no school on Monday or Tuesday. I was very thankful for this as it would allow me to settle in and relax a bit before launching my Taiwanese teaching career. Jet-lag would also be a problem. Suprisingly, there were some people that had opted for sticking around Taoyan (most people bussed down to the more tropical southern region). I met Alex, Jordan, April and Meghan. That evening April and Meghan showed me where the cyber cafe was (I emailed my dad and got caught up with a bunch of people) and then got acquainted with one of the MANY 7 Elevens here in Taiwan (seriously...7 Elevens and Starbucks are EVERYWHERE). Made it back to the dorm and spent my first night on my floor bed and thin mattress (which was suprisingly comfortable).
