Taiwan, Week One

My trip started well. The sky was clear and Portland was having good weather, so I got a beautiful view of Mount Hood. Portland was shining beautifully as we landed, making me wish I was staying in Portland instead of heading to Taiwan.  I killed my four hour layover in Portland by being that girl with the giant backpack who parks herself in the middle of the bookstore and reads. It was Powell’s Books, can you blame me?

The rest of the journey was uneventful, thank goodness. I arrived in Taipei a little late. I stood in line at immigration for over an hour (the one time no one wants to make friends), and then, successfully found my bags. I wheeled them out and looked for my driver. I found my name, but no driver, after a few initial mishaps I found the correct driver. By this time it was nearly midnight and I was exhausted from lack of sleep. I opened the car door to be greeted by a giant cockroach on my seat. Instead of screaming or jumping like I normally do when confronted by a giant bug, I merely brushed him off the seat and climbed in the car—a sure sign I was going to pass out soon.

Nor did I seem to panic when the driver just kept driving and driving and nearly two hours later, showed up in this little village. I got out of the car and stood in the middle of this village trying to blink away sleep. Luckily my boss came and introduced himself; otherwise, I may have spent the night on a scooter. I had made it to his parents’ house finally!

My boss and his wife left me after a few minutes of explaining phone numbers and schedules. I nodded dumbly and after the door closed I collapsed onto the bed—sitting up instantly, cradling my arm and ribs. I had been wishing for a hard, firm bed, well I got one! I’ve discovered that beds in this country are extra- firm box springs with a bamboo mat/board on top (you are apparently supposed to sleep on the board without any sort of covering). I scanned the room until I found a duvet, which I folded as much as I dared to give me some sort of cushion. I laid down much more gently after that.

My back and ribs woke me seven in the morning. I had to lie in bed until I could actually feel my limbs, as my fingers and toes randomly go to sleep when I am on these beds. Then the morning ritual of stretching out the stiff muscles began (so no worries about not doing yoga). After getting dressed, I went downstairs where I met my boss’s parents and half of the village. One woman knew “beautiful.” Even so, they made it quite plain that I was supposed to eat pears and drink the tea and we all shared a few uncomfortable laughs.

I explored the small village (name unknown), but it is ten minutes from my town of Hemei. Mama Giant (as we call the boss’s mother) insisted that I carry an umbrella to protect my skin from the sun. I felt like Mary Poppins visits Asia as I wandered around the village a bit. I was greeted by many curious people, but who were all friendly and didn’t once point and gawk like I had three heads.

So far Taiwan reminds me of a very muggy and hot Vietnam/Korea mix. There are a lot of neon lights. Korean culture is very popular here so young men and women are dressed in South Korean fashion. There are 7-Elevens and Family Marts everywhere. But the buildings are the tall concrete colonial style.  Also street food is king, cheap and mostly delicious. However, it isn’t recommended for the squeamish, as internal organs are part of a complete breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Changua County is a mixture of agriculture and industry. A few years ago everyone worked either growing rice or making all those clothes we pay so dearly for. Now that China has moved the clothing industry to China, sewing machines are rusting in the corners of everyone’s home and factories sit rotting next to rice patties. However, there is still a working Velcro factory and a factory that dyes the fabric used to make Nike shoes.

Orientation started on Wednesday. Orientation consisted of class observation, going over learning materials and syllabi, and trial lessons. The school is three stories, with six classrooms. We have a central teachers’ room that six TAs, the principal, and four full time Native English teachers, and one part- time English teacher share. The kids are completely, normal kids, bouncing in and out of the teacher’s room joking with the teachers and TAs. The school is conveniently situated between two vegetarian food stalls, a coffee cart, a street baker, a bank, and 7 Eleven.

Saturday was moving day. I got up early and packed my things, walked around the village one last time, and then said goodbye to the boss’s parents, who fed me again. They are the typical parents, making sure their children are never hungry! They sent us off loaded with mangos, water, coffee packets, hangers, and even a pair of trousers for me.