The Four Realizations

  Taichung, Taiwan
Wednesday, June 3, 2009

   Hello!
            It's two thirty in the morning. I can't sleep and either can Ben. It's not because of the box mattress we sleep on either, I actually had a fantastic six hours of sleep on that piece of hard wood until my body remembered that two days ago it would be having lunch at this time.  I thought I was pretty special, already adjusting to the time difference since I stayed up until almost eleven the first night, but no, not working for me anymore. I passed out around eight last night and now I'm awake knowing that it's twelve in phoenix, twelve in my brain and twelve in my stomach. I foresee a long nap moving its way around nine o'clock to help take me out of Phoenix time. 
 

First days in Taiwan

            Two days have passed and in these two days I can define Taiwan as a mix of rich traditional culture with fresh up to date modern amenities occupied by some the kindest people on the planet. It would be easy for a caveman to move here. This is my take on the island and there are four short, insignificant yet personal realizations I have come to during my first two days here. Let's call them The Four Realizations. 

First days in Taiwan

            First Realization: The Food. I've realized that it might be quite simple for me to become a vegetarian in this town. You'll see meat displayed everywhere as often as you would see cotton candy at a carnival. This has had a negative effect on me and just looking at chicken balls, pig snouts, pig feet, hearts, livers, intestines, pig ears, and slabs of cow has sent my stomach running for the fruit stands. I've always wanted a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables and Taiwan has made it a little easier for me. 

First days in Taiwan

            Second Realization:  The Language. Learning Chinese won't be a difficult feat. I had the best time practicing my limited and rather embarrassing Chinese with the vendors on the street markets yesterday. In two days I spoke a few phrases, people spoke back, and... I understood them!!! Mind you, it wasn't a long conversation about the politics of Taiwan or anything, only simple one to two word questions and answers, but hey, for only two days it was motivating, enjoyable, and quite entertaining for both parties. 

First days in Taiwan

 
            Third Realization: The Cows. The Taiwanese love cows. Statues of cows are everywhere! Ok, maybe not EVERYWHERE, but in enough locations to make you wonder, why they heck there's a cow standing here. They're placed in the midst of parks and in front of buildings each designed in a peculiar yet beautiful manner. I think that cows are something quite significant in the Buddhist religion. I believe I've read that somewhere, but I could be mistaken because it might be the Hindu religion who worships them. I'll have to look it up. Anyhow, these cows leave me confused. Do you worship the animal or do you stab it and hang it on racks in the streets? I guess in both instances you can say that the Taiwanese love cows. Ben took several pictures of me and every cow in a park. I tried to be one with the cow. 

First days in Taiwan

            Fourth Realization: The Coffee Shop. There IS a place I can go when I'm homesick. Our apartment doesn't have wireless internet so Tzu An was kind enough to inform us of different internet cafes where we can pay to use the internet. Starbucks, located in a glamorous six story building made for the rich and not the meat vendors, seemed like a perfect spot with only a two minute walk from our apartment. We purchased the internet card which would give us unlimited usage for a month for only sixteen dollars, bought a cup of tea, and found a cozy spot in the familiar coffee shop. Everything was the same. The same Starbucks cup, the same tea taste, the same tables, the same smell, everything was the same. I sat there for at least two hours on the computer as I would have in Arizona. It felt good. In this distinctive and unusual land I now know where to go when the need to feel a little piece of home creeps into my heart. Thank goodness for Starbucks!

"To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries." - Aldous Huxley