Taiwan in Review

So, where did I go in Taiwan?

1. Shilin Night Market - Ate massive dumplings(yum!), fresh cranberry juice, smelled stinky tofu (I thought it was a sewer), and weird flavored grilled corn on the cob.
2. Taipei 101 - 2nd largest building in the world. Really fast elevator. Took us 37 seconds to get the top. Really amazing view. Went up at night, saw the city lights. :)
3. Chiang Kai Sheck Memorial - went with Michelle, she is Taiwanese and speaks English. We got along great. Too bad we could only get together my last day in Taipei.
4. Yangmingshan National Park - the only time I met and made friends with another foreigner while traveling through the city. Thought there would be some easy trails. I was wrong. Attempted to climb a mountain with my new friend Steven. Yeah, that didn't happen. Very pretty view though. And Steven made it to the top.
5. Wulai - went with my sister. Walked the pedestrian friendly path to the beautiful waterfall. Ate another massive dumpling (yum!), sticky rice stuffed inside bamboo, and a semi-solid gelatinous goo with strawberry topping(kinda yum). Oh! and a crazy, weaving bus ride to and from there.
6. Maokong - Tea haven. Tea growing country. I walked all over it. Tried to ask for an English menu to order some tea and the lady pointed me in the direction of the Gondola (which I took to get to the area). I don't think she knew what "menu" meant.
7. Taroko Gorge - Beautiful gorge where Tanya and I spent the weekend and did much scooter riding!
8. Kenting - another weekend with my sister at this city on the southern end of Taiwan with beautiful beaches, lots of tourists, and a music festival going on the same weekend we were there. I picked up a bit of a tan. :)

Today I will go...

well, I'm not sure. I made a list of places I want to go. It includes:

1. Shilin Night Market
2. Taipei 101 (worlds biggest building)
3. Yangmingshan National Park (lots of mountains and hiking trails)
4. Wulai (city to South of Taipei with hiking trail)
5. Caoling Historic Trail (to the East of Taipei)
6. Maokong (SE district of Taipei known for tea houses and hiking trails)
7. Hot Springs
8. Pinglin (has tea museum where they teach you how to make and drink tea, tea fields you can bike through)
9. Cycling around Taipei's riverside
10. North Cross Island Highway (I would have to take a bus down to where this starts, then rent a vehicle. Then stop randomly along the Hwy to check out the waterfalls and trails.)

Today I'm heading to Taipei 101 with my sister and her friend Esther once they're done with work. Until then, I'm not doing anything outside the apartment. That wasn't my plan for today. I did want to go rent a bicycle and cruise up and down the riverfront (there is an awesome bike/walk path set up along the entire river), but that didn't happen.

Why is that? I believe because yesterday I went to Yangmingshan National Park and attempted to climb a mountain. I made it to the park located about 2/3 of the way to the top, at which point the climb seems to get even steeper and I decided to head back while I still had water and functioning legs.

The path up is all steps.

Some areas steeper than others. I appreciated the challenge, but knew I wasn't going to make it to the top. So today is recovery. :)

What to Visit in Taiwan

Here are some interesting places to visit around Taipei that I found on my map of Taipei.
I think they're funny.

1. Museum of Drinking Water
2. Puppet Drama Memorial Museum
3. Miniature Museum of Taiwan
4. Taiwan New Cultural Movement Memorial Hall
5. Customs Museum

(they sure like their museums and memorials)

1. National Museum of History (to cover everything not mentioned in every other museum)
2. Taipei Youth Party (mind you, this is a place to visit; do they really party 24/7?)
3. Taipei Guest House
4. Taipei Eye
5. Porridge and Appetizer Snack Area

There are other museums, but they don't sound as interesting, just your run of the mill museums: cultural, art, etc.

More of what I'm doing to come tomorrow - when I'm not so tired. (I climbed a mountain today. kinda.)

I'm in Taiwan

But not as a missionary, I'm visiting my sister, Tanya, who has been here for 2 years now teaching English as a second language. Since so many people wanted to know what I would be doing, I'll record it here on my blog. And I like writing about my experiences, so this is great for me!

I have to admit, I never had a desire to visit any country in the Orient, but when your sister lives in one of those countries, it's too great an opportunity to pass up. And now I am here.
Even before I finally flew into Taipei, I wanted to sleep. I just can't sleep for more than 20 consecutive minutes on planes. Once the sleep had been remedied, at Tanya's lovely 9th story apartment with an amazing view of the sunrise through a wall of slightly dirty ceiling to knee high level windows (I watched the sunrise over the mountains today since jet lag had me up at 4 am), I devoured the Lonely Planet guide to Taiwan. All the stops I want to take I have mapped out on my metro map of Taipei and today I went to the beautiful suburb of Danshui. (Tanya's apartment is in Zhuwei, which is the 3rd stop from the top of the red line. The very top of the red line is Danshui. I know, metro map isn't readable, but now you know where we are in relation to the city.)
Because Tanya still has to work while I am here, I will be exploring on my own during the day and then meeting up with her at night. Last night we went out for Indian food with her friend Tanya. I thought it was funny too that she is friends with another Tanya. :)

Anywho, I spent many good hours in Danshui. Walked the riverside walk, visited historic Fort San Domingo, saw the Longshan Temple and the Fuyou Temple, and now that I'm reading the guide, realized I wanted to see the Yinshan Temple too, but missed it. Ah well, I can always go back. Even had lunch at a riverside restaurant- a lovely pumpkin cream soup with a latte. :) The waiters were so cute about serving me and using their English. (Thankfully the menu had English translations. In fact, most everything in Taipei has an English translation :)

The "morning" market was still in full swing after my lunch, so I walked all over that and just absorbed the atmosphere, and made a few purchases. I forgot how much I love open markets like that! I didn't barter though. All the items have clearly marked prices and in El Salvador, when there are no prices indicated, this means bartering is okay, but when there is a price on the item, that's the price, no bartering allowed. And I couldn't take my cue from other conversations because I have no idea what is being said. Very bothersome. I'll ask Tanya to show me the ropes of bartering here. I did come across some Spanish speakers, didn't speak to them, but it was cool to understand something being said around me. :)

Yea, I love this city so far.

My First Presentation

And you all thought I was never going to post again.
Well, the thought had crossed my mind. But then last night happened. I gave my first presentation about my experience in El Salvador! Very exciting.

My dad scheduled me up to speak at the local Lions Club (of which he is a member) and I did last night.
I felt I had the information well organized and when I started talking it only took 3 minutes or so and the questions started coming. And that is how it went the rest of my talk; they asked a question and I answered. We did this for an hour.

When I wrapped up at the end, every point I had intended to cover had been hit by their questions, and then some! Their interest in the topic definitely encouraged me and I can't wait to present again. I even had an invitation from one member to present at another group he attends.

Keeping my fingers crossed that the next Lions Club board meeting results in a donation for the school!

Adjusting

What have I been doing now that I'm home?
- throwing my toilet paper into the toilet - not the garbage
- driving my car
- singing along to English music
- missing Spanish music
- eating everything in the fridge! Had a sandwich for breakfast, because I can!
- talking a lot (English is so much easier than Spanish)

That's the fun stuff. Otherwise I've been making lots of appointments and have been shocked twice now by the cost of 1) a haircut, and 2) toiletries at Walmart. sigh. I'm going to have to start working at this rate.

OH! And I have not put any bug spray on since I have been home!

I'm Home

My flight out of El Salvador would be leaving at 7:45 am. I woke up at 4, we (2 Sister's, Gina, and I) left the school at 5. Arrived at the airport at 5:50. Airport doesn't open until 6. Became flustered at my missing guitar, but relieved when Don Francesco (the driver) brought it to me after forgetting to unload it with my other luggage. Said my goodbye's to Gina, Sor Guillen and Sor Olinda who gave me a souvenir plate with the national bird painted on it and some coconut candies which they both know I love!

As I passed through security, the Immigration station told me I had to pay a fine for being illegal. The officer was trying to break it to my easy so I just told her that I knew about the fine and explained why I didn't have a Visa. She only charged me $60 instead of $114.29 saying that since I had volunteered without pay she wouldn't make me pay the whole amount. :) Needless to say, I like her.

A series of 3 flights, customs, checking and rechecking my baggage, and running around airports followed, until 10 hours later I found my mom and gave her a bear hug!

I woke up this morning in my own bed. It felt normal and decidedly weird as well. I ate breakfast with my pajamas on - a luxury I had forgotten about. I also did what I have been avoiding for the past 6 months - I weighed myself. 15 lbs heavier! Well, that gives me something to work on now that I'm home. :)

Deep thoughts to follow.

La Ultima Vez

My last blog from El Salvador. I leave in the morning!!

It hasn´t hit me that I´m leaving for good. I´m sure it will come pretty soon. Maybe when I´m on the plane.

Gonna miss the community of volunteers here. I have had a great time getting to know Gina and Jodi and traveling around with Gina has been great. We spent the night camping on a mountain we hiked with a couple other volunteers in Santa Ana last weekend. How I miss campfires and campfire stories!

Today the Sister´s took Gina and I to view ruins (Joya de Cerén) in Sonsonante. Which would have been great, if they were open. Mondays are their day off. Instead, not wanting to give up so early in the game, we hopped on Ruta de los Naranjos and basically toured the western half of the country. (El Occidente) Luckily, I packed and organized everything in my room this morning, because we didn´t get back until 9pm tonight. Those crazy ladies, once you get them outside the school, they don´t want to go back! :) I´m gonna miss them.

I´m leaving El Salvador much lighter than when I came - luggage wise. Most of my clothing and toiletries will be remaining in the country. I´m leaving them for the local Vides group to give on Saturday when they go out to help those most affected by Hurricane Ida.

Speaking of which, to date I have received $232.00 in donations!!!
Thank you to everyone who has donated! The Sister´s really appreciate the money and I told them I would be sure to send more later, so your help is still needed!

See you soon!

Hurricane Ida

Wow. I´ve never been in a hurricane before, or seen a landslide, or cement walls knocked down by a river - but now I have. I spent this weekend at the beach - El Tunco - with Gina, and Saturday night Hurrican Ida passed over Honduras and a Tropical Depression on the Pacific side sat right over El Salvador.

This resulted in a lot of rain. The usually tepid and stinky river converted into rapids and shot into the ocean with cannonball force. Trees, rocks, and cemented walls fell under the constant and intense beating of the river. El Tunco faired pretty well in the end with only a few shaky patios due to the river sweeping away their foundations.

Across the country, some areas were effected worse than others. Bridges were knocked down, towns flooded, landslides across roads, in Illopongo a piece of the mountain slid across a town killing many people. The death count is around 200 right now and there are still hundreds of people missing. I can´t imagine what it´s like in Honduras.

Relief and government agencies are out in force right now rebuilding and giving aid to those left without homes and/or loved ones. The Sisters are going to head out to help when the initial rush of aid has calmed down. According to Sor Olinda, once all the initial aid peeters out, the people still need help to re-establish their lives, but the help has all gone home. So that is when they will go.

Now, more than ever, your donations will have a huge impact on not only helping others but saving lives as well. Please take a moment to donate $5, $10, $15, or more. Heck, that´s just one visit to the movie theatre, and here it could buy food for a family for a week. 100% of all donations go directly to the Sister´s.

Thank you again!!

Ladrones

3rd time this year. Ladrones. (robbers) They have stolen 3 computers from the school this year. One belonged to me. The other two came from the computer lab of the school. Those two were desktop computers - a bit more difficult to move. The Sister´s were discussing this at breakfast this morning, trying to narrow down who could have stolen them. The computers, while about $300 in the States, cost about $500 here. Everything electronic is more expensive here. And the people have so much less. Ridiculous.

It all boils down to keys: who had access, who could have copied them, who do the dogs know and so wouldn´t attack if they came in the night, etc. The Sister´s are talking about putting a surveillance camera in the computer lab. Good idea, though it will be pricey.

I asked why they don´t call the police. Corrupt police. They did call the police last year when a computer was stolen, and it resulted in nothing. Apparently they are corrupt and inefficient.

It´s frustrating to think that anyone would steal from Religious Sister´s or a school for poor children. However, the workers at the school, and the community around the school, have much less than the Sister´s, and suddenly the stealing isn´t so difficult to imagine. Still frustrating.

Just another reason why your donations are so important and needed. Don´t worry that your money will ever be spent frivolously here. Too many urgent needs to be met first.

A big Thank You to everyone who has already donated!

Low Key

So, the Hot Springs were not, in fact, hot springs. They were pools. It was a water park. It had 4 pools, one had a big loopy slide, one was a kiddie pool that never got deeper than my knees, one a normal lap pool - minus the lanes for swimming - and then there was the pool built so the natural running river fed into and then out of it. That was a fun pool because the river flowed down a natural waterfall that we could climb and then sit under the falling water. Nothing heated though. Very casual water. It was interesting to note that the shallow sections of the pools were packed with people, while the deep sections rarely had people in them. Very few people know how to swim in El Salvador. According to the girls, no money or time to spend on swimming classes.

Today was Day of the Dead. Like Mexico, it is celebrated here; but unlike Mexico, it is not celebrated to the same extent. Everyone goes to the cemeteries en masse, with purchased flowers to decorate the graves of loved ones. No sugared candy skulls, or coffins, or parades, or fancy pants stuff like that.

Hot Springs

Yeah! Tomorrow I´m going with the local VIDES group to some natural forming hot springs, this should be great! So why am I so tense?

I´ve been thinking about this quite a bit, and I´ve come to the realization that I don´t like this particular Sister who heads up VIDES and will be going as well. I always feel edgy around her, like she is looking for something from me, but I don´t know what and I can´t give it to her. Makes me feel incredibly weird and uncomfortable. So I avoid her. This works really well because she is never at the house - she spends most of her days at home taking care of her father and visits the school on occasion.

This week, however, she has been at the school, and I have been avoiding her, except when necessary to communicate. I´m not sure what about her fills me with such unrest, I have a lot of ideas, but I´ll leave it at that. I´ll be happy when she heads back home.

Goodbye Jodi

Jodi is going home. Today. At noon. So in about 40 minutes if the plane takes off on time. I know it´s different here from what we´re used to and I´m not the nicest person to be around, but I didn´t think she´d actually leave!

Actually, it´s not that at all. I am a great person and I can´t imagine anyone not wanting to be where I am. :) Something came up at home, she had to go, I´ll let her explain if she wants on her blog. However, we are one volunteer short now and even though she has only been here 1 month, her absence is felt. It is for me anyway. I like her. Chances are good I´ll be gone before she returns and I didn´t even say goodbye. So, goodbye Jodi. Take care. You and your family are in my prayers.

On the plus side, exams are done for me! Now I just need to grade them. icky!

New Pictures

I´ve finally added some new photos! Check them out the slideshow on the sidebar.

Nearing the End

Have you ever done this? You´re in a situation where items or comforts you are used to are denied you. You know that for the time being, there is nothing you can do about this, so you tell yourself to forget those things and simply focus on what you have. I´ve been doing that for the last 9 months and it really hit me today in the supermarket.

Gina, Jodi, and I went to the supermarket to pick up party items for the End of the Year/Birthday Party (for those whose birthdays are not during the school year) for the Interna´s. As we walked through the food aisles to pick up a few snacks for ourselves I suddenly realized how tired I am of crackers, nuts, and peanut butter(easy foods to keep stored in your room) and everything else looked sooooo appetizing!

I walked by Eggos in the freezer section and longed for Eggos; I walked by broccoli and longed for a veggie platter with veggie dip; I walked by All Bran Flakes and longed to take it home with me. I long to prepare meals again, because meals are so much more satisfying when prepared yourself. (even macaroni and cheese!)

So, my self denial is really starting to fall apart. I hope I can keep myself busy enough these last weeks to hide this fact from myself.

Soyapongo Thriller Dance

Right now, Immediately, go to Gina´s blog and watch the video she and Jodi put together of the teacher´s dancing to MJ´s Thriller! Too funny. She compiled the best dance moments, which is too bad because the other moments were hilarious! Not that the good moments are all that good! Ha ha! So much fun. Watch it, watch it!

Liturgical Dance

I don´t think I ever mentioned this, but we have liturgical dancers at the school. Isn´t that awesome! I remembered today because we had mass this morning and between the first reading and the Gospel, 6 girls danced up the aisle for a short song. They wore petal shaped skirts of different pastel colors with a matching ribbon in their hair. With graceful arcs and steps they flowed to the front of the congregation where they completed their dance. This isn´t the first time they´ve danced, just the first time I thought to mention it.

Haven´t we all wanted to be liturgical dancers at some point in our life?

WIND!

It is officially the windy season here in El Salvador. I can even tell you that it started at 9:57pm Sunday, the 18th of October. That is when a really strong blast of wind ripped through my bedroom. This would not be so unusual if a fairly large and loud thunderstorm then followed, but the amount of rain and noise was not proportional to the strength of the wind.

Since then, the wind has not stopped. Slamming doors abound on the campus and I remember that it was windy when I first came here as well. So I guess the wind will last for about 3-4 months.

Oh, and it´s ¨cold¨ now too! Last night I wore my pajama pants, put socks on, and wished for a second blanket. It got down to 73 degrees! Just goes to show what constant heat will do to a person. Yeah, pretty sure I´m going to turn into a Popsicle when I get home!

And last but not least - I purchased my plane ticket home yesterday! It felt very nice. It is for the 17th of November. I plan to travel to the coast of Honduras the week prior to leaving and learn how to scuba dive off the coral reef there. :) And I´m taking the new volunteers with me! We´ll have a grand time.

A New Lake

Sor Margarita Guillen´s room flooded last night! What it flooded from she didn´t say. She has a second story room, right above the general work room with the computer. When I went in this morning to drop off my bag before dinner I noticed a large puddle coming from the bathroom (it used to be a bedroom, but they converted it to a work room) and water dripping from the ceiling in there. I then went to breakfast.

The Sister´s were discussing it and I didn´t really listen until I realized Sor Guillen saying it wasn´t a broken pipe, her bedroom is flooded and the water is leaking through. Ohhhhh! I went into the work room after breakfast to grab my toothbrush and now there is another leak right in front of the door! The bell just rang for Buenos Dias in the gym, but I´m going to use a few minutes to move all my stuff over to my room - just in case the ceiling falls in.

Baleadas

Have I mentioned Baleadas before? If so, they deserve a second mention. They are the typical food of Honduras, but we get to enjoy them here in El Salvador as well. Yea!

Gina, Jodi, and I just helped Elizabeth prepare a dinner of baleadas. I spread the dough for the big tortillas (not made like regular tortillas) and after I tried to flip a few on the hot comal, relinquished that job to Jodi because I´m a woose and complained of burned fingers. No worries, I´m an excellent spreader of dough, so I did that. The beans were already prepared. Tortilla, beans, and cream. Umm... So simple, but sooooo good!

I´ve added this to my recipe collection. I´ve been collecting recipes here! I now have, um... 3. Okay, so I haven´t really been diligent in collecting recipes or learning how to cook the staples here, but I do have Pupusa´s, the sauce to put on Pupusa´s, Tortilla´s, and now Baleada´s. I figure that´s all I need. I´m hoping to be able to find and buy the cheese we have here. Everything else is fried.