A Trip to COSTCO!

COSTCO in Taiwan...who knew! COSTCO is the Taiwanese's favorite place and favorite thing to talk about it. I remember my first days in Taiwan and my host family had just purchased items from the superstore and were talking about it with their friends. Since then, I heard about COSTCO all the time and I was continuously asked about it. Hearing about it just made me want to go check it out and see what the Taiwanese were raving about! So, when my South Korean friend needed to make a trip and asked me if I wanted to join, I didn't hesitate. Finally, April 29, 2013 I headed to the Taiwan COSTCO!

After class, my two South Korean friends, my Chinese teacher, and I headed by bus and MRT to the store. When we hopped off the bus, I immediately saw the big white building with red and blue letters. Shopping carts lined the outside, and on a Monday afternoon, the line was out the door. We ate first, struggling to find a seat. The menu is the same as all COSTCO's I have ever been to, but with an extra mango ice cream and some soup because the Taiwanese to finish every meal with soup. My teacher and friends really enjoy eating American food. Therefore, they really pigged out on pizza. I don't really miss American food too much, so I went with some ice cream instead. As I watched the Taiwanese, push their carts through the scanner I honestly became a little bit nervous for what was about to occur on this shopping experience!

We showed our card, and began riding the magic carpet to the second level of the store. We went right through because this was where they sold clothes, T.V.'s, small pools, small parks, books, small children's cars, etc. All items that I looked at, then looked around me at all the Taiwanese with their carts overflowing, remembered where I am living, and then just cocking my head to the side in deep thought about where they put these HUGE items when they buy them?!

After trying not to focus too much thought on where people will put their purchases, we then headed down the magic carpet to the food section. Nobody can say that they don't secretly make a trip to COSTCO to not try the samples, right? Everybody does! The food was so similar to the US, but with a little twist. From the various types of breads and bagels, to the wide range of meats, cheeses (haven't seen in a long time!), and other various items that you see in that section of COSTCO. Then, there was the coffee, cereal ice cream, and just so much more. But, since we are in Asia, they have a wide range of Asian items to choose from. Things from Korea, like their spicy noodles, banana milk, Kimchi, or seaweed snack. Or other products from Thailand that I have come to love in this year.

From the Taiwanese filled carts, to being squeezed between people due to sheer number of people in the store, to the excitement on the Taiwanese faces as they purchased their items, and really just being in COSTCO in Taiwan I was ready for some fresh air! I didn't need or want to purchase anything as I do live in a very small apartment here and I would be taking public transportation home. Once we left, I headed to my South Korean's friend home. She made some Korean tea, and some famous spicy noodles with Kimchi for myself and our other Korean friend. It was a really nice way to finish of the trip to COSTCO! Thank you!