Maokong Gondola

The Maokong Gondola! From the moment I heard about this spectacular ride up the hill side, I wanted to go. I spent my day at Maokong with a religious group of some friends I met through Rotary here in Taipei, which made for a great day!

Our ride up the gondola began around 8:00 a.m., all dressed in our matching yellow outfits (once again, all matching!). A gondola is a gondola for me.  It's the ride and the scenery that make it exciting. The ride up the gondola was really unique! Rather than just going up, we went up and down, and to the left and the right. It was really interesting, but super cool, as our scenery was always changing! When we arrived to the top, we took a bus and a few cars to a famous temple on the hillside. The temple was pretty, but the view was INCREDIBLE! I could see Taipei at it's fullest. I felt as though I had opened my arms really wide and I was holding Taipei! It was the morning, so the sky was perfectly blue and the sun was shining, the cherries on top of this view!

After our time at the temple and viewing Taipei, we walked to a nearby restaurant. The restaurant we went to was so busy.  They tell me it is so busy because it is really famous and really good! Well, I can assure you that I know why they are indeed busy.  I also now know one of my number one restaurant recommendations  for future travelers to Taiwan! Ha! So much food and all so good! In the afternoon, we went to a tea shop. We learned how to brew our own tea the correct way and we also tasted and smelled some teas of the Maokong area. It was very nice!

 

Thanks for a great day, I really enjoyed myself and enjoyed getting to know all of you!

Kinmen Island: 3 Day Bike Trip!

For those of you who were anxiously waiting to hear what my exciting weekend was all about...here you go! I am so excited to share all my adventures and memories created on the beautiful island of Kinmen!

On Friday October 12, I left my home around 5:30 a.m. and headed to Taipei Songshan Airport! I met 12 great Rotarian's from my host club along with all of their bikes and biking gear and of course, their smiling faces. We were heading to Kinmen - an island that is administered by Taiwan, located between China and Taiwan. The island has over 6,000 years of history, but is mainly known for the 1950's Nationalist/Communist battles. From the many years of fighting and military presence on the island, the island is now what I consider a great big outdoor museum of military sites and military equipment, with many farming areas and traditional architectural villages.

After the 50 minute flight to the island, we got dressed in our matching bike jerseys and then put all the bikes together! When we were ready, we took off and began our adventure filled day. We biked from one museum, village, temple, and random photo location to the next all morning. I saw some of the airplanes, guns, tankers, boats, and other various military gear used during the time of battle. My favorite location of the morning tour was Jhaishan Tunnel - a man made, deep, dark, huge, tunnel,  full of water that was used for a place of battle. The small cracks of light and the water makes it really pretty! In the afternoon, we got on a ferry boat which took us over to Little Kinmen Island. On the island, we rode through small traditional villages and then went to lunch at one of the traditional/communal restaurants. I again was able to indulge in delicious new food, including some great seafood! After lunch, we biked on a nice brick pathway which was along the Taiwan Strait which separates the island of Taiwan from mainland Asia. At one point we came to a stop at a small temple. We biked to the back of the temple and from there we were able to see Mainland China! It was my first time seeing Mainland China and we were so close I felt I could swim across and be there in 30 minutes. The part of China that we saw was Xiamen.  This was the highlight of my day!

We then headed back across the water on the ferry and biked to dinner! Dinner was in this remote village, tucked away. It took us a long time to get there and I really felt like adventurer, considering that we did get lost a couple times and it was pitch black out. However, all of that biking and time that it took us to get there really was worth it! We had another AMAZING meal at this small, family owned restaurant. We had a lot of seafood again this night and some other traditional plates! Learning the "no thank you bite" from my mom and dad ever since I was a little girl has really paid off during this trip. Ha! You never know until you try it! Later in the night, we returned to our cute little bed and breakfest and called it a night. I shared a room and bed with my Rotary Club president Mickey. She is such a nice woman and we really got to know each other well considering our rooming situation. Ha! Thanks Mickey.  You are the best!

Yes...I know...that was only one day! The next day we started with a hearty Chinese breakfast and then hopped on a small tour bus for the morning. We once again toured some historic and unique military locations, some of which are used as training camps for the military today. The funniest part about the whole day was that many of the locations we visited in the morning did not allow tourists in. We had to get creative and sneaky!  It was a good thing I had a hat on in the morning, my president Mickey's big purple sunglasses to borrow, and a group of sneaky Rotarians to surround me! Ha! Actually, we might need to work on the "sneaky-ness" for the future but we made it through everyplace with a lot of laughs!

 
In the afternoon, we got back on our bikes with our matching Rotary bike jerseys and pedaled around Kinmen some more. One of the coolest things about the entire weekend, was that many of the Rotarians on this trip had spent time in the military on this island and for most of them, this was their first time returning. Crazy! I mean the island is so close and tickets are not too expensive to go. But to experience this with all of them and learn about the island at every location we visited, was truly an honor and I am so grateful I had the opportunity and was able to join them! Later that evening, we biked to another great restaurant for our last meal on the trip. Lot's of toasts to the occasion and each other were offered. (Taiwan people love this!), laughter, and of course, mainly just FOOD! After dinner we all went to an Old Street Market and explored some temples at night, I watched some elderly women dance to traditional Taiwanese music (SMILE = CHECK), and we ate some of the famous pastries from Kinmen!



On Sunday morning, we got up and a few of us rode our bikes up Taiwu Mountain while the others followed behind in the bus. We had blue skies all weekend and the tempurature was nice! When we arrived at the top of the mountain, the blue skies combined with a nice breeze and incredible views of the island made for a great way to finish off our weekend!  We then headed to the airport, packed our bikes, and headed back home to Taipei.

Thank you Taipei Tung Ho Rotary Club for giving me the oppurtunity to travel with you this weekend! I really enjoyed getting to know everyone better and I will always remember my weekend in Kinmen!

Everywhere!

Engrossed, engaged, experiencing, well  - without using the thesaurus to find those three E -words, this blog would have started with the word busy! Ha! This weekend I checked off seeing Chiang Kai Shek Memorial off my list, traveled to Tamsui, visited the historic Lin Family Mansion and Garden, and also visited the Sanshia Old Street Market!

On Saturday morning, my day began early. I went to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall Square with my exchange friend Maggie. We had both wanted to see this "must see" square in Taiwan. The square is a memorial for the once dictator of Taiwan. It is a huge square with one main building for his memorial and two big traditional Chinese buildings used for a museum and a theater. Many people come to the square to engage in Tai-Chi. I had wanted to see this spot in Taiwan for a very long time.  I am happy I was able to see it!

Later in the afternoon, I traveled up to Tamsui with my host parents and Rotary. In Tamsui we would be having a nice afternoon of biking along the Tamsui river. I really enjoy all the Rotarian's. They are so kind and make me laugh, which is great! The day was kind of gloomy, but we had an hour or so of good sun on the ride. Of course we made a lot of stops to take pictures - my day wouldn't be complete if we didn't! As we made it across to the other side of the river, it began to rain. However, the slightest bit of sun did shine through on one area of the mountain, which means a rainbow! The rainbow was the biggest one I think I have ever seen and it was amazing. I am not the kind of person that is obsessed with things like that, but, I would be telling you a lie if I told you I didn't keep looking back to see it or stop a few times to take a picture. We took a ferry back across the river and then played a little bike game when we got back. After, we headed to dinner at a seafood restaurant. There were so many  people together this day, so the best way to finish the day off was with a big communal dinner. I am always trying new foods on the weekend and dinner once again delicious! A great day and I am grateful to be part of it!

 

On Sunday, I had another early morning! I started the day off by going to the Lin Family Mansion and Garden with one of the Rotarian's daughters. The mansion and garden is one of the only left in Taiwan from the Qing Dynasty. There used to be many more, however due to government problems over the years, many were destroyed. It was a rainy day again, but to see the gardens in that way actually just feels right. I couldn't picture the place with sun. The Garden has so much family and cultural history.  This helps to capture the design aspect of both the Mansion and Garden areas.

We then met her mother and sister for lunch at at Thai restaurant. Thai food is always good! After lunch we took a bus to a place called Sanshia. In Sanshia, we visited the famous Sanshia Old Street Market. Brick buildings line the sides of one road, and there are many little food stands, stores, lots of people, and a whole lot to take in. It was neat! Thanks for a great day girls. It was fun to experience these specials places in Taiwan with you! I appreciate each of you and the time we spent together!

Overall it was two busy and great days! I am so happy I have people in my life who want to share a culture with me. I start language class this week at the university.  I am so exicted for this language immersion class!  I also have a very exciting weekend coming up. I cannot wait to share with you all! Hope everyone is doing well back in the states or wherever your travels are taking you next! More soon!

Anna

Celebrating the Moon!

September 29th was the Moon Festival! The Moon Festival is one of Taiwan's biggest holidays. This is the weekend where they celebrate the full moon by having big barbecue's with family and friends! I had two barbecue's planned for the weekend with my family. One with Rotary and one with my host family's friends.

The first was a mid-day lunch barbecue with Rotary! Due to rain, the barbecue was moved inside to a Japanese restaurant.  Usually the barbecues are outside in parks or in front of businesses. At the restaurant we all share a long table and we sit on our butts to cook and eat.  We all sat and shared small little grills to grill endless amounts of meats, fish, and vegetables. It was a lot fun to embrace in this tradition and was so delicious as well. After the meal, I felt as though I was about to explode from eating so much! I will only have Moon Festival once during my exchange, so I am glad I experienced it and that there is a little thing called exercise. Ha!

My second barbecue was at my host family's freinds home in the evening! We headed straight from the first barbecue to this one. I told my host parents in the car ride over that I would surely not be eating at this one. They laughed! I tried a few more different foods at the 2nd bbq, but really could not force anything else down. The best part about the night was I was able to see the full moon from the deck. The sky was very cloudy and rainy.  But, for about thirty minutes we had clear skies. The moon was big, bright, and FULL!

My first Moon Festival was great and I am so thankful and happy I was able to experience it with all the great Rotarians! I spent Sunday running errands, but most of all, trying to make my body feel a little better after all of that food! Thanks for a great weekend Rotary!

Anna :)

Nantou and YangMing San

This past Saturday I traveled to a place called Nantou! Nantou is right in the middle of Taiwan - about three hours from Taipei. Taipei Tung Ho Rotary Club, my host club, was heading there because they were meeting another Rotary club from farther south in Taiwan. The other Rotary club was bringing children with mild cases of mental illness and their families along to spend a day full of fun with us!

My day started off early at Zhongxiao Fuxing Station - where I was meeting the other Rotarian's on our large tour bus. From the moment I arrived at the airport in Taipei the first night and everyday since, I see these huge tour busses. They are all over. The busses are big, double decker, equipped with TV/microphone, have air conditioning on full blast, and are big enough to have a bathroom, but they don't! Ha! I have been on a bus or two before, but I could not have been more excited to see a part of Taiwan in this way, that day. To add to that, I also received my sun-yellow T-Shirt with hearts on it before we departed, to match all the other Rotarian's that day. :)

We made it to Nantou just in time for lunch with the other club! We ate a delicious lunch together at a museum which is a replica of an old/famous market in this area of Taiwan. After lunch we all explored the museum and then hopped back on the tour bus. The next stop was a traditional Taiwanese paper making factory. This factory makes the special paper that is used for writing calligraphy. It is not rice paper, but rather a more heavy, scroll type of paper. The process is old fashioned, long, and tedious. We were all able to give it a try and make our own special artwork on the paper. It is one of those processes that looks so easy, but is just so difficult at times. It took me awhile to get mine just right, but I did it! The other children finished theirs as well.  To to see their excitement when they showed "the American", was an awesome way to finish of my day with them. My host club and I then got back on the bus and headed to dinner in the near by city of Taichung! I am telling you, the people of Taiwan have not yet left me hungry once. Ha! Taichung is the the second largest city in Taiwan.

On the bus ride home, my host club engaged in Taiwan's tradition of karaoke! Yes, Karaoke! Everyone loves it here! I  don't think I have ever done karaoke besides singing in my shower or out loud just to annoy someone. The Rotarian's gave me this huge book of songs, turned it to the English songs page, and asked me if I would sing a song! The English songs that they have are all the slow, classics. Songs that I know, but not the upbeat songs that just allow you to let loose and have fun! I picked the closest things to it though!

The first song I sung was Sweet Caroline, by Neil Diamond! So, I was off pitch and missing words here and there.  I just kept imagining myself at a Red Sox game... in the bottom of the 8th inning... along with all the other tone deaf fans, just having a good time! That song, followed by a duet of Imagine by John Lennon with a Rotarian.  They all just loved my voice so much, that I sang a little John Denver's, Take Me Home Country Road! It was a great way to finish of the long and adventurous day in Taiwan!

 On Sunday, I headed to Yang-Ming San for another hike! This time I went with all of the inbound exchange students who are in Taiwan for the 2012-2013 year, as well as some students who had traveled from Taiwan as exchange students to other countries in the last year or so! It was another rainy day, however I got to see the mountain on a new trail which was beautiful. We hiked, played games, had a picnic, and tried to use Chinese as a "happy medium" when the language barrier became to difficult.  This was fun and funny - we laughed alot!

 


One of the coolest things about Rotary, and just one of the many reasons I am so grateful to be a part of the organization, is the fact that I can be called an exchange student and I can accept all of the challenges and excitement that comes with the honor. When we exchange students come together, you really would think we are like family. Some are like the in-laws you just never want to see and some are the ones you love to talk to and can't wait to see. Some of us have absolutely nothing in common, and some of us have a lot in common.  However, we are sharing this huge time in our lives with each other and experiencing our new homes everyday. The connections that we have together because of the one really simple but big common thread, are ENDLESS!  I am so happy and thankful to have Rotary in my life!

A great weekend! Looks like Vail got some snow up high this past week! As always, thanks for reading my blogs and sharing this experience with me! More soon!

Anna

To the North We Go!

BUSY...so you might as well call me a BEE! I love being busy, I really do! Being busy in my new culture has given me the oppurtunity to learn, grow, challenge myself, reach within myself, experience new sets of emotions, and truly experience the Taiwanese culture full on!

This past weekend another large typhoon came into Taiwan! My first week here, when two typhoons came in, I was so scared and worried everyday. But now, it is just apart of my daily life and I embrace them full on! Seriously! Even though the original plans for the weekend were cancelled because of the typhoon, I didn't let it stop me! I woke up early as always, pulled out my colorful umbrella, put my raincoat on, and headed to the gym. Not many people go out here when a typhoon hits.  Just in case Saturday was different, I decided that wearing my pink workout outfit and then having my loud umbrella would be a little much. I stuck with all black and let the other daring pedestrians who I encountered have their full focus in the hard rain and wind! Ha! I needed a little laugh and thought some of you might get a little kick from that one!

When I got home from the gym, my host mom and I headed to the bakery to pick up my host grandma and her friend. The four of us girls were heading up to my host grandma's mountain house for lunch. My host grandma is a great cook. Sadly, the fish was not thawed out enough to be able to be cooked but I still had great traditional Taiwanese food! Her home up in the mountains is very quiet and quaint. It is only about an hour to 45 minutes from Taipei but it feels like a new world. I especially enjoy the feeling of getting out of the city! City life, all day everyday here in Taipei has its ups and downs just like any place. It felt so nice to just feel calm and collected up there. After I finished a tour of the house, see some family history and take in the beautiful rain forest surrouding us, my host mom and I headed home.

I had about an hour at home to pack my overnight bag for our road trip that evening! Saturday evening, my host parents and I would be heading up North to a place called Yilan with four other families. Road trips are great! It is a great time to get to know people, practice a language, listen/watch Taylor Swift live in concert with the young girls in the car, or even watch the Yankees play Tampa Bay Rays game (LIVE) on the screen (Yep! These minivans were equipped.  They do not mess around!), eat lots of food, and again see Taiwan in a new and beautiful way.

We arrived to Yilan around 7:00 p.m. - perfect time to eat dinner at a night market! Everybody has talked to me about the night markets here in Taipei! I had so many ideas and expectations leading up to my first time and I have to say it was pretty great. They are really crowded with people, and there are many unique smells in the air coming from the food! I was hungry which was a good thing because my host parents make me try everything and they make sure I am never hungry. I wanted them to do their thing and show me the best foods.  All week I had been craving corn on the cob, so I went to the first stand I saw with it! This corn was SO good, and so traditional Taiwan. My host parents were surprised that I liked it - it is fried and has a really spicy sauce on it - but I loved it! I also tried a traditional Taiwanese vegetable pie thing that I still cannot pronounce.   The fried chicken (a chicken foot!), which all the kids were very happy I tried - then washed it all down with some watermelon juice. It was a great first experience at a night market!

 After the night market, we jumped back into the minivans and caravaned up to the bed and breakfest which we would be staying at for the night! When we arrived, we unloaded, checked everything out, and then rode bikes around the near by park. The parents ate some more food, and then we celebrated two of the little girls birthdays to finish the night off! I was surely ready for my bed after the day.

On Sunday my host parents and I rode our bikes around the park! We were on the side of a river and surrounded by mountains which was very pretty. After breakfest and morning tea with the other families, we headed out to a Taiwan whiskey, coffee, and tea factory. We toured the factory and I got to taste some unique teas! I had to leave everyone early because I had to be back in Taipei for some meetings with Rotarians.  The weekend was very exciting and I am grateful I got to see a small part of Northern Taiwan!

A little side note! It is Wednesday the 19th here in Taiwan. Today offically marks one month being here in my new country and one month being away from my home country and family! I am very grateful for all of the experiences I have had in just this last month but I am even more proud of myself for learning and growing through some of my challenging times here! Although I still have a long road ahead of me, I am excited for the adventures, challenges, and triumphs that I will be able to go through while on it! I know I have a team of supporters back there in Colorado and elsewhere in the world - I appreciate you and thank you! To my family, to write in words how much you mean to me and how much I love you is simply too hard. I love you!

Anna

First Week of School

What a way to start my first day of school! An assembly for the exchange students at my school  where we would introduce ourselves! My school kicked of the year in the most traditional way, and gave me two hours that I will always remember!

Here in Taiwan, I am going to Songshan Vocational High School of Agriculture and Industry. Based on the name, the school focuses on agriculture and industry. Every student has the opportunity to choose which department they would like to study in for their high school years. The departments at the school range from Automotive Technology, Auto Control, Computer Technology, Chemical Technology, Electrical Engineering, Food Processing, and Horticulture. None of which I have much of an interest in, however the one that caught my attention more than the others was Horticulture. Horticulture sounded interesting and I thought of it as something that I might not have the chance to study again, so why not do it now in Taipei! I can tell you that in just the first few days,  I am so happy with my choice and looking forward to many of the learning times I will have with my class!

School starts everyday at 7:30 in the morning! Therefore, I am up everyday at 5:30am walking out of my house between 6:15 and 6:30am. I travel by MRT, bus, and foot to school. I have to take two MRT's everyday, a bus on Tuesday and Friday, and then walk about twenty minutes. Let's just say by the time I walk into class every morning I have sweat dripping from my face. With all of that, I wear a uniform every single day that I think is going to surely need a little Anna Trombetta fashion help! I have to wear black trousers, a white button down shirt, closed toed shoes -with socks, and I have a school backpack. For P.E., I received a turquoise and white shirt that I have to wear. They ran out of the straight up turquoise pants, so that was a plus! Every morning as I walk through the hustle and bustle of the MRT in the morning, the subways all look like a bunch of inmates who just escaped. Ha! The vibrant orange top to bottoms, yellows, greens, shades of blues, oh and we must add pink top to bottom. At least I can try to blend in a little, despite sticking out because I am an American!

At school, I stay in the same classroom for the entire day and with the same students the entire day. New teachers shuffle in every two hours when a new class begins. Totally different from America! My room is very traditional.  I have wooden desk and wooden chair. White walls and a green chalkboard up front. The pictures to the right are what my classroom looks like and the other is a seating chart. The seating had all numbers and then my name right in the middle. The school doesn't have much air conditioning, only in some rooms. My room has a few fans! My school days here all look different, but from the school schedule I was given they all look the same. Ha! Just kidding. Although not really. My schedule is in Chinese characters. So, for the past couple of days I have sat at my desk and tried to figure them out. With some help from my classmates, I have figured out that I will be taking Math, P.E., Health, Military, Chinese, English, Landscaping/Gardening, and creating a career as a florist. I haven't taken all the classes yet because I didn't have a full week.  But, the ones that I have taken are pretty intense. I am not expected to know everything they say or do.  However, I don't waste my time.  I study Chinese by listening to the teacher and writing down phrases I hear often.  I also do daily work that my counselor here gave me. The English teacher for my class has asked me if I would help her teach English to the class two days a week. I thought that this was a nice honor! On Thursday, I found in those two hours that I learned many new Chinese words and phrases which is a plus. I gave a PowerPoint presentation, read to the class an English story about the Value of a Day (couldn't relate more to my life now!), and helped them with vocabulary. On Friday, a couple of my other teachers came up to me and said nice job yesterday in English! Everybody at the school is very welcoming and I appreciate all of their hard work for me!

 

On Tuesdays and Fridays I will travel up to the mountain where my school's farm is! They have a school building there that is surrounded, literally, by their farm. It is so cool and so beautiful! Yesterday the students took me on a tour of the entire farm! We skipped, we ran, we walked, and we laughed around the entire farm. My favorite place is probably the fruit tree area. Bananas, mangos, papaya, lemon/lime, and a few others I do not know. The smell of the entire area is great! I also really enjoy the walk up to the view of Taipei! My classmates I was with will probably forever love the times when I jump.  This is because there is a HUGE spider web and a spider eye level with me every ten minutes. Four words - I DON'T DO SPIDERS!

School will be very hard here in Taipei.  However, it will be what I make of it. This week has been a hard week for me emotionally.  I continue to remember the reason I am here on exchange and it keeps me going! I had another Rotary meeting this week and staying busy this weekend by heading to a Cirque de Soleil show with my host mom and her friends today/tonight! Thanks for reading and sharing in my excitement so far!

Anna :)