Ni Hao!
It’s day 3 on my trip and so much has already happened! Let me bring you up to speed: giant spiders, karaoke, baby on a scooter, octopus, ate a bug, karaoke, pijiu, and Aunt Jemima juice. I guess that doesn’t make much sense so here are some pictures:
Andy, me, Kathleen, and Ashlee waiting for our flight from Beijing to Taipei. The flight from LAX to Beijing was 13 hours but I probably slept 12 of it…I love my gift of sleep
When we got to Taipei on Sunday afternoon, we were greeted by George (good ol’ George) and students from the Nation Chung Cheng University. They were so hospitable and so much fun… I mean, they started a karaoke party on the bus. We then headed over to the Cihu Sculpture Memorial Park that is dedicated to Chiang Kai-Sheck.
Me by the Taiwanese flag at the Cihu Sculpture Memorial Park
Another picture at the park…
We then headed to the (very large) Shimen Reservoir which supplies Taiwan with most of its water by storing up the typhoon water.
We then took a little hike up a hill on the reservoir…
And met this guy. Yeah, not really digging the huge spiders.These little kids kept coming up to us saying “big!” These guys were all over that hill but one thing I am liking about this trip is experiencing new things… like food!
We had dinner Taiwanese-style where they bring huge plates of food and everyone took what they wanted off of what looks like a lazy-susan. I tried it all! Sweet and sour fish, crab, octopus, etc… including a bug that decided to fly into my mouth when we left the restaurant.
This is me after dinner and the bug. It is still probably 85 degrees with 80% humidity :)
We then headed to the University where we stayed 2 nights in the graduate dorms. Beds were hard but we were more than happy to be horizontal :)
On Monday morning, we took a stroll over to the College of Management where we listened to Dr. Mike lecture on the Taiwanese economy. He explained that Taiwan is progressing from an industrial into a more knowledge-based economy; much like the US is now. It seems the “made in Taiwan” days with cheap products are over and they are trying to redefine their brand as high quality and high tech.
Me, Ashlee, and Salam in class… with Kame, Caroline, Jack, and Rosetti causing trouble in the back.
The group with Dr. Mike
After the lecture, we were taught how to prepare and properly serve tea
We headed for a tour of AVG (which stands for “taste of love” in mandarin). They produce natural and healthy beverages. They are hoping to expand into North America so they welcomed input from our group.
We sampled an “oatmeal drink” that really does taste like liquid oatmeal.
We did a little shopping at the Nice Department Store (not the mean one) then went to an amazing restaurant where I once again tried it all…. Including some pijiu (beer).
“Bottoms up!”
The professors from both universities then entertained us with some karaoke. We, of course, got up and taught everyone the Macarena
This is just me being a nerd.
It is now Tuesday morning and we are on our “fancy bus” heading back to Taipei for more company tours. I hope I can update soon :)
Zaijian!
