Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving - running your Turkey Trot or just engaging in a delicious Thanksgiving meal!

About a week before Thanksgiving, I was sitting outside my classroom building waiting for class to begin! I was early and having a bit of a rough morning in terms of my emotions. As I was sitting there, an American looking Sister walked by. We both smiled at each other and she kept walking and I kept sitting there. Simultaneously, we both turned around and looked as though we wanted to talk to each other. Sister Mary-Beth, a Sister of the Catholic Church is from California and has lived in Taiwan for over 22 years.  We talked for a little while and got to know each other a bit. She asked me what I was doing for Thanksgiving and I had nothing planned. I wasn't going to be able to cook for my host family as they were busy, so I said YES to Thanksgiving dinner with she and her friends!

So, on Thanksgiving night, in a rainstorm,  I headed to their home for dinner! From the moment I walked in the door, I felt so at home. Everyone was so kind and having the delicious smell of a cooking turkey, mashed potatoes, apple pie, and a few of my favorite Taiwanese cuisines cooking in the kitchen didn't make it too hard to stick around! Ha! While the finishing touches were being put on our Thanksgiving Feast, I was able to engage in a little arts and crafts - fall wreath and turkey decorations. Sister Mary-Beth and Sister Susan,  and I had to dig deep into our brains to share with the Taiwanese Sisters and others sharing our dinner, about why we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. It was fun!

Dinner was delicious! I haven't actually missed American food since being in Taiwan and I would have been OK without eating Thanksgiving dinner,  but it sure did taste good! It was a special treat for me! Thank you Pauleen for the great pies!

The night was really great! I was so thankful to be surrounded by kind, new friends, eating a delicious American/Taiwanese meal, sharing my life with others and having them share theirs with me too.  Overall, enjoying a once in a lifetime experience here in Taiwan! I will forever remember this great night.

Thank you Sister Mary-Beth, Sister Andrea, Sister Susan, Arlene, Rebecca, and Pauleen for making my Taiwanese Thanksgiving Thursday so special! You all put a smile on my face! I am very grateful to have met each of you and I look forward to spending more time with you all soon!

My thankful thought on Thanksgiving: I am thankful for my ability to smile because it led me to these new friends and a great night in Taiwan!:)

Taipei 101

I have been driving past this incredibly tall building for over three months now,  and I finally got up to the top this past Monday to view Taipei! On the 89th floor of the what is known as Taipei 101, there is an observatory where you can view the city of Taipei from all four sides. It is said to have one of the most incredible views of Taipei. I can assure you that it does! Even with rain and fog, the view was incredible. I was able to point out my school, my host family's homes, and monuments I have visited. It was really cool! With only a 36 seconds elevator ride to the top, possibly one of the world's fastest elevator rides, this is a must see when you come to Taiwan. Thank you for lunch and spending the afternoon with me Sam!

2012 Election Day and A Running Race!

2012 Election Day in the USA! I know you are all so glad it is over, and so am I! However, it was a special day here in Taiwan, one which I will remember for a long time to come. Having exchange students from all over the world be so excited about our election, and care so much about what was going on in our country was awesome! We followed the election all Wednesday morning during our Chinese class at the University... We all  became excited every time the numbers would rise! The students from the other countries all wanted Obama, and so did all the Americans.  It was was very cool to see him win! We shared in the excitement and chanted USA USA NUMBER 1 NUMBER 1 - a couple of times outside of the University! I am so proud to be an American and an ambassador through Rotary, especially on this day.  It was great to be able to share this historic moment with my RYE friends from all over the world!

A couple of weeks ago my classmates asked me if I wanted to run in a race! I said yes, and agreed to what they were telling me even though I didn't have much of an idea of what I was getting in to. Ha! So, the other night after school, I ran against girls from my school in the 800 meter race. The entire school was there, cheering us all on!  Each of us running in our beautiful turqouise blue and white uniforms! It was really fun, but also a bit nerveracking! The focus seemed to be on me!  The silly American, who was running in the race at their school. I got second place and advanced to the finals! Sadly, I wasn't able to compete in the final race because I had a Rotary meeting that same night.  I am so glad I particpated in the race though!

Just two exciting things that I thought I would share! :)

Country Fair!

NO...not the country fair you are thinking of in your hometown, USA! Rather, the Rotary Youth Exchange Country Fair, where all the exchange students come together from each country and create a booth all about your home country.  We then share with students from Taiwan who would like to become a RYE and travel abroad next year. Talk about six good hours of country pride!

 

 

I really enjoyed my day standing behind the United States booth! Answering questions from the hopeful Taiwan students and their families, sharing with them and other exchange students our foods.  Thrilling and maybe annoying others with a large amount of USA pride, while simoutaneously being thrilled and annoyed by the other countries as well.  All coming under one roof, becoming one family, made up of so many unique worlds. It was a great day to smile! The feeling I received everytime I handed out a USA/Colorado/Vail pin was one of pride. I felt proud and honored to be an American and to have grown up in such a wonderful state and community. It is true...until you live in another country and spend your time surrounded by such a different culture, it is then that you learn so much more about your own country. The good and bad!

Thank you to Rotary for allowing me to be a part of this day! A great day of coming together as ONE!

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