"When you look back on Taiwan, you should think of this moment and smile."That was the advice from my good friend Julie this morning as we sipped our coffee on the roof of the hot spring hotel in Guanziling. This weekend, my birthday weekend, has really helped show me how fortunate I am right now. It's been a culmination of things that have just gone right recently. My family came and we had an amazing trip around the island. I've been wanting to share this experience with then since I got here and it was one of my biggest highlights so far, but I'll save those stories for another post.
Pappa bear, Mama bear, and Baby bear at Sun Moon Lake
On Friday we had a BBQ at the apartment and the house was packed full of old and new friends who have become a significant part of my life in Taiwan. We entertained until the sun was a major part of the skyline and eventually turned-in for a few hours of rest before the Saturday adventures. After a late breakfast of leftover burgers, prawns and mashed potatoes, a hungover but heartygroup of seven headed for the train station. We didn't have much of a plan as far as exactly howto get there, or where to stay but things seem to have a way of working out if you let them. Wecaught a bus from the train station and were entertained by a boy who was keen to practice hisEnglish skills as well as his magic tricks. It started to rain on the way, and when we arrived in Guanziling there was little hope of staying dry. Despite the fact that it has been rainingalmost every day for a few weeks, there was only one rain jacket and one umbrella between the seven of us. Needless to say, we were soaked before we even had a chance to see the hot-springs. Like wet dogs, we scurried into the shelter of the magnificent Reiki hotel. After a bit of arm twisting, we managed to convince them to let the seven of us stay in a 4-person room that was fit for royalty. It was ultimate luxury. There were four beds, two couches, and a private hot spring tub in the bathroom.
I could spend the rest of my life in these tubs
A walk across the street took us to the hotel's spa. There was a jet pool, one with green water (which we affectionately called the JELLO pool), one filled with mud, a few cold pools, a sauna, and a steam room. We scurried around for hours occasionally breaking for a mud slathering. The only thing that could get us to leave the spa was the promise of another mud bath and a cold drink (or two) back at the room.
Trevor, Nick, Joel, Julie, Me, Sarah, Amy
and LOTS of mud.
We eventually settled into the room and I was able to enjoy the company of six wonderful people. They kept me in stitches and the highest of spirits. The next morning we were treated to a breakfast buffet overlooking the mountains/valleys. I never expected how deep this place and these people would have crept into my heart.
Another update:
I've recently been accepted as an AmeriCorps NCCC team leader. From Jan to December, I'll be working with a group of about ten people on different service projects in the Northeast of the USA. Many of you know that I applied for this position last year and despite being the first one on the "alternate list," never made the final cut. It threw a wrench into my plan, but lead to a detour that I wouldn't trade for the world. I originally only wanted to take one year to do something "non-academic" but have decided that what I really want is to "do it all" ... so that's exactly what I'm going to do. AmeriCorps: here I come.
