Live.Laugh.Love.Teach[Taipei]: Weekend Highlights

Feeling a little bit homesick after our first week at school, Alaina and I knew that it would be best for us to keep busy this weekend. Friday night we took the MRT (metro) to the Tai Power area, which is situated between two major universities. It was definitely a different scene than back by our house. Small family-owned businesses were replaced by larger, more modern establishments, and the cracked cement turned into much nicer stone walkways. It was nice to get away for awhile, and we had dinner at a burger place since there are supposedly more western restaurants out that way. Also, we did some major shopping and happened upon our first night market! Although small, it was interesting nonetheless. The foot stands, clothing stalls, and people are endless as you wind through all the little alleys. We were also surprised that more people in this area seemed to speak English. We also saw many halloween celebrators in costume, and it was refreshing to see the kids trick-or-treating to nearby stores.

One of the the things that amazes me the most about Taiwan so far is that every MRT station has its own entirely unique culture. Every time we stop somewhere new, we can sense the cultural shift and the changing atmosphere, yet we haven't left the city!

Saturday was culture day. The teachers in our department each set up a country booth with posers, foods, models and information. All attendees received some paper money to spend, and high school students sold food in their homerooms. Each homeroom was assigned a different country, and the kids got really into it. So, basically, parents and students could browse the food and cultural information at their leisure into the early afternoon. Students got really into the food selling, trying to barter with us, walking around with advertisements and portable samples, etc...it was pretty cute. And the food was good! We got a kick out of the American booth: peanut butter sandwiches, brownies, chips and salsa. Yep, that's America?! Also, there was an intersting mix of students dressed up for Halloween and also for various cultures. We were so surprised and amused to see many people dressed as "Americans" in cowboy hats!! My principal was wearing an American flag bandana with a cowboy hat, so Alaina and I were sure to capture that on camera.

Alaina and I met our friend from Switzerland to go to the zoo on Sunday. She speaks Chinese fairly well, so that was pretty awesome since we are always struggling to communicate with everyone! We met at the metro station, and rode it all the way to the Taipei zoo station (almost an hour by MRT!) where we hopped on the gondolas to take the scenic route the rest of the way. It was SO refreshing to get out of the city for a change!! We zoomed over plush green mountains, and had the perfect view of Taipei 101 (the highest building) in the distance. We had fun at the zoo. I am ignorant, but I forgot how many new species I'd be seeing so we took lots of pictures of the "exotic" birds. Then, we decided to continue the adventure and take the gondola higher into the mountains, to the farthest stop, a small village of Maokong.

When we got off of the gondola, we realized just how remote of an area we had traveled to. There were a lot of tourists, otherwise I probably would have been a little scared because we were truly in the middle of nowhere. Immediately, a man approached us and asked us : "Are you American? WELCOME TO TAIWAN!" A greeting that has becoming extremely familiar to me over the past few days., Everyone is always so friendly, or else just curious about us. Several other villagers made a point to say hello and try out their English skills. we wound down some roads then found the visitor's path that is paved yet winds down the mountain, so we could literally go right through the gardens and small mountain homes. It was just beautiful and a very different life than I have ever seen!

So, I would say it was a very good weekend and much needed. Alaina and I both had been getting sick of being immersed in the city bustle constantly. I will post some pictures (below) since words really can't describe the diverse sights we've seen! Also, we are working on videoing our walk to school each day. Hopefully, in the next couple of days, we will be able to get it uploaded so everyone can see the stroll down our alley, into the lane, and up into the busy Taipei city.

Also, I found out my school placement today. I will be teaching grades 7 and 8, two classes of each. All the classes are "advanced," which is the middle level of proficieny. I am clueless as to how to pace my lessons and alter my teaching style, but I'm trying it out tomorrow, so we'll just see how it goes!