Hello all.
I've figured it my limit. I'm now going to McDonalds for breakfast every morning. I started a few days ago because I just couldn't eat rice soup one more day for breakfast! I love Taiwan and the people are fantastic - but they DON'T know what's good for breakfast. I need a cup of HOT coffee, with an egg and a piece of bacon or ham or something like it. I don't want noodles, or rice, or any other "non-breakfast" stuff. Ice Tea just isn't a breakfast drink. . . I can deal with lunch and dinner at local restaurants and vendors (which I LOVE - since I'm so cheap, I can eat for 80 cents!!!) - but breakfast is "special".
I went to the Meokong Gondala today (sorry about the spelling). It's a part of the Taipei mass transit system that is a gondala going up a mountain. The ride was fun and the scenery was very nice. However, Meokong isn't that great. It's tea country and I'm sure if you love tea it's the perfect place to go. I've never been a huge tea drinker and the trails were pitiful - so I just rode the MRT and had a good time.
Yesterday, I found a huge store that sold lots of Taiwanese crafts in Taipei. I hadn't bought much of anything around the island since I didn't want to carry it. So, I was freaking out about how to buy gifts. Well, that was taken care of today. I spent a fortune! But, that's ok since I've been eating for 80 cents! Plus, I spent plenty of nights at hostels (for $10 USD) and "budget" hotels (for about $15 USD). With everything, this has been a very inexpensive trip.
So, I'm off tomorrow morning (to the airport by the 4:30 bus) and can't wait. I'll be ready to see the family and be back to work.
OH - one more thing. Talk about vanity! I passed a bookstore here that sold lots of computer books. I was just FORCED to look for the SSL book - and they had TWO copies! I was very excited. I've looked before at "Books a Million" in Alabama and they don't carry anything like this. This bookstore was really big and devoted to computer stuff - so there was a better chance. Anyway, it was pretty neat.
I decided not to go to the top of Taipei 101 (the world's tallest building?). It was really cloudy today and I just couldn't get excited about it. And, since it costs $20 USD - I would have needed something to push me into it. I did walk through the mall at the bottom, but it's just like any other really expensive mall - so it was uninteresting.
One thing I wanted to remember was to tell you about how the people here queue in line. They really know how to line up! And, if you're not touching the person in front of you, they will just step in front of you. It's kind of wierd the first few times it happens - but I know they don't mean anything by it. It's just not what I'm used to.
Ok - that's it. Thanks for reading.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
I can't believe you people continue to read this ???
Hello all.
I'm back in Taipei and pretty happy about it. I'm exhausted. Yesterday was great hiking in Toroko - which is incredibly beautiful. It's a shame you can't get permits - which I intend to complain about (which will do no good at all of course) on the forums. However, Taipei is a lot of fun and I'm having a good time buying stuff for the kids. I saw a few sights today, but I'm going to concentrate on getting through the books I bought yesterday. It's tough to find books in English - so you have to take what you can get.
I've read a lot of the book I bought at the Buddist place. Actually, I was expecting some really meaningful and profound stuff - since the nun is a "dharma master". To be perfectly honest, it appears to be more like a cult of personality. . . Her photo is on nearly every page and everything I read talks about how wonderful and meaningful and helpful this person is. Actually, it kind of makes you gag when you read it. Then, I read the book she wrote - and maybe it is the way it translates to English, but it ain't much of anything. She's the queen of non-sequitors - talking about her heart condition and then saying that's why it's important to be kind to people. It don't follow lady! And, in the preface she says she welcomes comments from "senior Buddists" - meaning if you "don't get it" then you aren't "qualified". That's hogwash. I'm going to throw the book away.
The Republican convention is on at a really inconvient time for me ! I had to sit in my hotel room until about 11 a.m. until it was essentially over. I loved listening to "Loserman" give his speech. At least he didn't challenge anyone to a duel - YET.
I just killed a fly - so I'm no Buddist. The guy sitting next to me doesn't care - so he's not a Buddist either. Have a GREAT day.
I'm back in Taipei and pretty happy about it. I'm exhausted. Yesterday was great hiking in Toroko - which is incredibly beautiful. It's a shame you can't get permits - which I intend to complain about (which will do no good at all of course) on the forums. However, Taipei is a lot of fun and I'm having a good time buying stuff for the kids. I saw a few sights today, but I'm going to concentrate on getting through the books I bought yesterday. It's tough to find books in English - so you have to take what you can get.
I've read a lot of the book I bought at the Buddist place. Actually, I was expecting some really meaningful and profound stuff - since the nun is a "dharma master". To be perfectly honest, it appears to be more like a cult of personality. . . Her photo is on nearly every page and everything I read talks about how wonderful and meaningful and helpful this person is. Actually, it kind of makes you gag when you read it. Then, I read the book she wrote - and maybe it is the way it translates to English, but it ain't much of anything. She's the queen of non-sequitors - talking about her heart condition and then saying that's why it's important to be kind to people. It don't follow lady! And, in the preface she says she welcomes comments from "senior Buddists" - meaning if you "don't get it" then you aren't "qualified". That's hogwash. I'm going to throw the book away.
The Republican convention is on at a really inconvient time for me ! I had to sit in my hotel room until about 11 a.m. until it was essentially over. I loved listening to "Loserman" give his speech. At least he didn't challenge anyone to a duel - YET.
I just killed a fly - so I'm no Buddist. The guy sitting next to me doesn't care - so he's not a Buddist either. Have a GREAT day.
Monday, September 1, 2008
I saw a freaking Monkey!
Hello all.
Today I'm in Toroko Gorge, staying again at a Youth Hostel. This one is beaitiful - nestled in the mountains. Absolutely incredible views and great hikes. I walked a lot today. I'm a little bummed because all the "good" hikes require a permit (with a 7 day lead time - which you have to apply for in person). So, unless you are a local or have local connections - you can forget going on extensive hikes. Because of that, I'm leaving tomorrow after another day of hiking (assuming I can find someplace to put my backpack for the day). The logistics of travel seems to me to be the most difficult and frustrating.
The coolest thing today is that I saw actual monkeys! I guess I knew they had monkeys and bears in Taiwan, but I never expected to see one. In fact, I saw five. I was on a trail and heard a rustling in the woods. I sat down and waited for about 20 minutes without moving. Then they came near. They knew I was there. We sat and watched each other for about 30 minutes. Then, a Taiwanese family came down the trail. I motioned for them to be quiet and watch with me. Later, I ate dinner with the same family - so we had lots to talk about.
The Taiwanese people are extraordinarily nice. That's definitely the thing I like best about the country. There are far to many people - for this island. And, there are other "not-so-great" things - like the permit system for access to the hikes, no swimming (almost :) because of the dangerous currents, crazy (really crazy) drivers. But, by and large, the niceness of the people make up for everything else.
I've only seen a little of Mexico - namely a few trips to Mexico City and the surrounding areas. However, I think Taiwan is very much like the valley of Mexico - without the crime. I feel very safe here at all times - there is definitely no problem with crime like in Mexico. However, there is corruption. The ex-President is now being investigated along with his family for pocketing a bunch of campaign contributions. That's the big news.
Ok - that's all for now. I'll write again when I get to Taipei tomorrow. I hope that the Hurricane doesn't do much damage. Everyone is very aware of the storm here - people mention it a lot.
Later.
Today I'm in Toroko Gorge, staying again at a Youth Hostel. This one is beaitiful - nestled in the mountains. Absolutely incredible views and great hikes. I walked a lot today. I'm a little bummed because all the "good" hikes require a permit (with a 7 day lead time - which you have to apply for in person). So, unless you are a local or have local connections - you can forget going on extensive hikes. Because of that, I'm leaving tomorrow after another day of hiking (assuming I can find someplace to put my backpack for the day). The logistics of travel seems to me to be the most difficult and frustrating.
The coolest thing today is that I saw actual monkeys! I guess I knew they had monkeys and bears in Taiwan, but I never expected to see one. In fact, I saw five. I was on a trail and heard a rustling in the woods. I sat down and waited for about 20 minutes without moving. Then they came near. They knew I was there. We sat and watched each other for about 30 minutes. Then, a Taiwanese family came down the trail. I motioned for them to be quiet and watch with me. Later, I ate dinner with the same family - so we had lots to talk about.
The Taiwanese people are extraordinarily nice. That's definitely the thing I like best about the country. There are far to many people - for this island. And, there are other "not-so-great" things - like the permit system for access to the hikes, no swimming (almost :) because of the dangerous currents, crazy (really crazy) drivers. But, by and large, the niceness of the people make up for everything else.
I've only seen a little of Mexico - namely a few trips to Mexico City and the surrounding areas. However, I think Taiwan is very much like the valley of Mexico - without the crime. I feel very safe here at all times - there is definitely no problem with crime like in Mexico. However, there is corruption. The ex-President is now being investigated along with his family for pocketing a bunch of campaign contributions. That's the big news.
Ok - that's all for now. I'll write again when I get to Taipei tomorrow. I hope that the Hurricane doesn't do much damage. Everyone is very aware of the storm here - people mention it a lot.
Later.
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