goodbye dinner at the Mohawk HouseSo here I am, a stranger in a strange land. Within the few days that I’ve been here I’ve definitely gotten an interesting taste of the Taiwanese culture and I’m excited for more. The other day I was walking along the Love River in Kaohsiung when a 40ish year old man stopped short and, with a big grin on his face, waved and said “Hello” then carried on his merry way. Now I have to admit being stared at by everyone you pass and being approached by strangers could make one feel like a circus attraction… but I’ve decided to declare myself a celebrity. That happens to them too right?
Well let me start from the beginning. The whole commute was smooth as butter. We got to the airport in plenty of time. I passed through security without going off (which for some reason always makes me feel like a champ). I wasn’t disappointed by the airplane food despite the fact that I had 3 chicken dinners in a row. I even had a whole 3-seat row to myself for the first part of the trip. So I got to Taiwan and by local benefactor Susan took me under her wing. She picked me up at the airport and brought me back to her house. I basically have a whole floor of my own with a big bedroom, balcony and bathroom. There is a big beautiful pool that I have been loving during the hot hot heat but apparently the Chinese aren't into swimming because i've had it completely to myself every time. This is way more than I could ever have hoped for.
Well let me start from the beginning. The whole commute was smooth as butter. We got to the airport in plenty of time. I passed through security without going off (which for some reason always makes me feel like a champ). I wasn’t disappointed by the airplane food despite the fact that I had 3 chicken dinners in a row. I even had a whole 3-seat row to myself for the first part of the trip. So I got to Taiwan and by local benefactor Susan took me under her wing. She picked me up at the airport and brought me back to her house. I basically have a whole floor of my own with a big bedroom, balcony and bathroom. There is a big beautiful pool that I have been loving during the hot hot heat but apparently the Chinese aren't into swimming because i've had it completely to myself every time. This is way more than I could ever have hoped for.
I got here pretty early and despite every morsel of my body wanting to fall asleep I pressed on and got a nice little tour of Kaohsiung. We walked around a department store and all of my senses lead me too none other than a Cold Stone Creamery hidden among endless shoe stores and Hello Kitty displays. I mistakenly thought that maybe things wouldn’t be so different here…. How could it be if there’s a cold stone right? Wrong!
I didn’t end up getting any ice cream because Susan wanted to introduce me to a local beverage that is all the rage in Taiwan. I only wish I could insert a straw into this page so you could all try it but just lend me your imagination and I’ll do the best I can to share the experience of zhenzhu nai cha (or Bubble tea for those of us who struggle with our Mandarin). The drink is a cold milky flavored tea with tons of chewy tapioca balls on the bottom. It’s served with a big straw that’s thick enough to suck up the tapioca balls. I have to admit that I enjoyed the drink more for its novelty than for its taste. I couldn’t quite get over the fact that every time I took a sip I had to chew for the next ten seconds. Yesterday I had something that may have been even stranger. It was definitely better though.
I didn’t end up getting any ice cream because Susan wanted to introduce me to a local beverage that is all the rage in Taiwan. I only wish I could insert a straw into this page so you could all try it but just lend me your imagination and I’ll do the best I can to share the experience of zhenzhu nai cha (or Bubble tea for those of us who struggle with our Mandarin). The drink is a cold milky flavored tea with tons of chewy tapioca balls on the bottom. It’s served with a big straw that’s thick enough to suck up the tapioca balls. I have to admit that I enjoyed the drink more for its novelty than for its taste. I couldn’t quite get over the fact that every time I took a sip I had to chew for the next ten seconds. Yesterday I had something that may have been even stranger. It was definitely better though.
Another Taiwanese favorite is a dessert of shaved ice + everything under the kitchen sink. It’s made on almost every street corner and is obviously very popular among all age groups. Susan led me through the process step by step: First we got bowls by the register and went down a buffet style row of different ingredients. I’m not sure of everything that went into my bowl but it included: papaya, pineapple, tapioca cubes, peanuts and sweat potato. We paid according to weight and they covered the ingredients with shaved ice and topped that with some sugary syrup. I was definitely apprehensive, maybe because of the sweet potatoes and peanuts, but it was so tasty and quite refreshing. Definitely beats a snow cone.
Believe it or not, I have done a few things that don’t involve food. Yesterday Susan took me to this beautiful Buddhist temple and told me a lot about their beliefs. It was definitely an eye opener. There were something like ten different Buddhas in the temple, each serving a different purpose. There was a woman Buddha that you “paipai” or pray to for issues involving fertility, a child Buddha that people brought toys to, and others specializing in money, family etc. The whole process is really interesting. If somebody has a question to ask the Buddha they’ll go to the temple and take these two wooden blocks, and rub them together before dropping them on the ground. If the Buddha wants to answer their question, they’ll land on opposite sides (the equivalent of a head and tail if 2 coins are dropped) repeatedly. If the answer is yes then you pick out a stick with a number on it and drop the blocks again to see if that’s the right number (the answer’s yes if they land on opposite sides). Each number corresponds with a specific drawer which contains a paper with some type of saying/ advice on it. Another interesting thing is that the Buddhas are mobile. They have these ornate display cases (we’re talking flashing lights and carvings everywhere) that a Buddha can be transported to another temple in. I guess the Buddhas like to visit other Buddhas at their temples…. especially during festivals. Nobody can pass up a good party!
Believe it or not, I have done a few things that don’t involve food. Yesterday Susan took me to this beautiful Buddhist temple and told me a lot about their beliefs. It was definitely an eye opener. There were something like ten different Buddhas in the temple, each serving a different purpose. There was a woman Buddha that you “paipai” or pray to for issues involving fertility, a child Buddha that people brought toys to, and others specializing in money, family etc. The whole process is really interesting. If somebody has a question to ask the Buddha they’ll go to the temple and take these two wooden blocks, and rub them together before dropping them on the ground. If the Buddha wants to answer their question, they’ll land on opposite sides (the equivalent of a head and tail if 2 coins are dropped) repeatedly. If the answer is yes then you pick out a stick with a number on it and drop the blocks again to see if that’s the right number (the answer’s yes if they land on opposite sides). Each number corresponds with a specific drawer which contains a paper with some type of saying/ advice on it. Another interesting thing is that the Buddhas are mobile. They have these ornate display cases (we’re talking flashing lights and carvings everywhere) that a Buddha can be transported to another temple in. I guess the Buddhas like to visit other Buddhas at their temples…. especially during festivals. Nobody can pass up a good party!
Buddha carrying case
incense holderTo get to the guts of life… I don’t have a job or a clue how to speak Chinese but I am in good health and spirits. Random highlight: seeing a family of 4 on a single scooter.
~Love from the East~
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