My December Adventures

Although I live in a country that doesn't celebrate Christmas in a full cultural way, I have had plenty of events to keep me busy these past December days.  I have had the opportunity to visit temples, participate in culturally enriching experiences, try new bizarre foods,  and even sing and dance in English with a class of Chinese speakers.  So needless to say I have been a little busy.

Rotary "Coming of Age Ceremony Dance"

Rotary had us do a little song and dance for them as we came to the age of adulthood.   I can't say that I am honestly there yet but I have had some discoveries of my own living in Taiwan at 16.

English Song and Dance Class Victory

My awesome class 206 won the victory in the English song and dance competition.  There are so sweet I am so proud of them all. I will always remember singing "Good Time" and "Summer Paradise" with my Taiwanese friends.

Lights in the Temple

Starbucks at the 32 floor of Taipei 101 :)
I was able to sip on a green tea Frappuccino in Taipei 101.

Taipei 101 Mall with My French Girls

Snake Soup

MMM Dinner

Longshan Temple Night Market Random Bystander

Longshan is a tourist night market full of bizarre and interesting foods, while I visited I even had a chance to taste snake soup.  This is not the place to go if you have a weak stomach or aversion to amphibians and reptiles.

Best tour Guide EVER at Confucius Temple
I learned a lot from this fellow. He had retired, and was giving tours of the temple with a great sense of enthusiasm and passion for this cultural temple.
Thanks Harrison Lee

So as you can see I have had lots of adventures. Ohh! The wonders of Taiwan.

Progression In Chinese

你好，
情看
I have found that recently Chinese has started to click a little bit more, although it is a very difficult language. The Rotary in my district just held a Chinese speech competition.  Through the help of my host family I was able to place top three. I received second place, which I am very pleased with.  My host parents were pretty happy and it was great to see their reactions to the other exchange students and my own progress thus far.  I think that after three months I can finally understand the basics. It is super cool, and so I would like to give a special thanks to Rotary, for really giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.

謝謝

The Places of Nothern Taiwan

My school's birthday with my lovely classmates I am sure you can pin-point the blonde haired foreigner.

Fresh Food 

A meal for 4 and One MeiMei

Most Delicious Shrimp Ever, Yes those are Chopsticks :)

Keelung Harbor

Gondolas

My Brazilian Buddy and I Rope High in the Gondola

Sun Moon Lake from Overhead in the Gondola Ride

The Makers of Honey Very Popular in Taiwan due to the Health Benefits of Honey

The Gorgeous Sun Moon Lake Shore Side

Some Exquisite Tea Cups :)

Trip to see the Traditional Chinese Pottery and Art

Host Parents and the Big Attention Drawing Buddha Head 

Children Learning the Chinese Pottery Traiditions

Street Vendor, Where all the Yummy Taiwanese treats are Bought.

Beitou Hot Springs On A Rainy Day
A little different from the springs that Yellowstone has to offer. Don't worry that is not where we bath ourselves that is outside. The pool is separate. I have to say it is a little stinky, but the levels of heat are quite a challenge, and If given the chance I suggest you to try.

Most Recent Trip Exchange Students to Taipei National Art Museum. <3

Due to the lack of frequent posts I must apologize. But I hope these pics filled you in on the newest and latests. :) There has been so much in the past few months it is almost impossible to scribe I am so thankful to have a camera to document it. Thank you technology and Parents.

Temples to Flesh Eating Fish

 Flesh Eating Fish!

 Praying at the Temple.

My Clasmates Sitting On Pigs :p

Yilan

Yesterday was Taiwan's Birthday it is a big National Holiday... so I got to take the day off from school in the middle of the week, yeah!  But today since my class was taking a big course of tests my teachers took all the exchange students on a trip to Yilan. It was very interesting, not only did we have cultural experiences, but we also made adventurous leaps.  I went to a temple that is specific for studying, and I also experienced the tradition of a "fish spa."  It is crazy all the fish come to eat the skin off of your feet, and honestly anyone who has problems with dead skin on their feet should try this. My feet are super soft now I love it.  So I had quite the day of fun and adventure. Thank you Miss. Long, Bel, Larie, Bern, and Johann. I had a blast!

To the TOP

This past week I finally took the chance to go all the way up to Taipei 101. It is so cool! Well actually I must confess that I was only able to reach the 91st floor due to weather conditions. But it is still enough to see the birds eye view of Taipei. The rivers, the mountains, and the shadow of the building that I find myself looking up to constantly.
Thanks Larrie for the awesome time, and shooting me the pictures.

To the Top

The Past Two Weeks

Wulia
This is a gorgeous part of Taiwan and my host family took me out to see the waterfall. In Wulia there is a river that runs through with hot water. Wulai is home to a group of aboriginals. It is so cool because it reminds me of Yellowstone, but it is definitely more Asian. Due to the fact that people just hop into the river right by the street. A great place for people watching. ( Shout out to my little brother this is the place I tried Taiwanese soda for you! :) )
Moon Festival
The moon festival was really cool we had barbecues and ate moon cakes. <3 I saw the moon for the first time since traveling to Taiwan it was completely full. It is true that it is the perfect time to see the moon.
Keelung
This has to be my absolute favorite place I have visited in Taiwan. The sea air smells amazing and the waves of the water were rising very high due to the passing of the typhoon.  The night market here is truly the coolest in which I have visited.  The special ice-cream there is a favorite and I loved it.  It seems that all foods that are peanut of peanut butter are especially  delicious. If you ever find yourself in Taiwan take the time to discover Keelung.

My Favorite Foods, Clothes, and Shoes

Taiwan has delicious cuisine ranging from the exciting and strange, to the sweet and delicious.  I have found that while in night markets you have to be careful what you eat, and try not to gouge your face with glorious amounts of food.  There are so many amazing beverages including: bubble tea, orange-lemonade, and matcha all at every corner.
My favorite of the night markets I have visited so far is right off of Taipower Building Station( easy access by MRT), and tonight I had some new friends from school help me discover the beauty of this night market. Although it is not very large it has rows and rows of adorable clothes with every turned corner, and cuisine from all around the world. Tonight I had a little taste of Italy, margarita pizza, it was reasonable but extraordinary.  So each of us had a pizza, and lots of laughs. I would like to thank Joanne, Del, and Bern for such a blast of a night. These girls are absolutely fabulous and know how to find the tastiest of dishes.

Another go to spot is the Taipower Building Station night market.

The Place to Be

The most hip section of Taipei is Ximen it is the most exciting place for me.  There are so many things to see and eat, probably to many things to eat.  The people were clothes that are highly fashionable and are into the newest trends.  There are a variety of people and always exchange students from around the world.

I think one of the most tempting of taiwanese food is there shaved ice with sweet milk and mangoes it is absolutely delish'.  If your ever in Ximen it is important to explore as a local you will find the most amazing shops and get the biggest bang for your buck.  From parades to movies, including the newest addition to Step Up(Which I highly recommend seeing just for the dance performances alone), Ximen has it all!

Life as a Foreigner

I can't believe it is already September time is moving by so quickly.  I am sorry about the lack of photos  I am still trying to find camera store, but I always seem to be distracted by the abundance of activities to participate in while in Taipei.  The exchange students are all so amazing and I love meeting people from all around the world.
   It is so easy to learn about another country from the true citizens who inhabit it, but I guess that is just one of the perks of an exchange. There are so many things to see, taste, smell, hear, and feel. All of the human senses heightened by every foreign sound, taste, and smell.
   The most amusing of the sounds is the tune of a big yellow truck which sounds just like the tune for ice-cream but it is not an ice-cream truck. In fact it is the truck that carries the horrid stench of garbage.
 So we all scream for....garbage? :)
Anyway, the strangest thing about being a foreigner is that all these new things are only foreign to you and you are the foreign to everyone else.

It is quite funny to be the only blond girl in a room full of Taiwanese people while they eat their cultural cuisine.  With chopsticks in my hand I am the entertainment. as a shovel the "cho do fu," or stinky tofu, down my throat, I get strange looks from those around me.  Every time I mention that I find stinky tofu delicious I get a high five from my classmates, because this is rare for foreigners. And even more rare for a blond, vegetarian, girl from Montana. How amusing, LOL.

Everyone here is extremely nice! I have had a blast waving to random strangers they get so excited.  My school is great there are about 100 clubs to choose from, they even have a club where they make movies!  Foreigners take tai chi as a class super excited about that!

Hi everyone leaving MT this morning!  Wish me well.

Goodbye

Hi Everyone I am about to leave for my adventure so be sure to follow me @ www.quinntotaiwan.blogspot.com.