A really long weekend...

Until recently I had started to post fairly regular updates but that was shut down when I had a five day weekend followed by another five day weekend and a spastic camera.

The afternoon of Thursday, October 5th began my long stretch of time off. I went with my counsellor from school, Russell, as well as my Chinese teacher, Christine, and Jenny to a museum in Yilan. I took a lot of pictures so I’ll put up explanations with the pictures (instead of boring you because you’re obligated to read everything I write... which by the way you are, and if you think otherwise, time to smarten up).

My first ‘official’ day off was the next Friday which was the official Moon Festival (my family celebrated the weekend before because they are very busy). I went to the Royal Palace Museum in Taipei with my host family and we spent a bit of time looking around in it. It was very interesting to see all of the ancient Chinese relics but I don’t know a lot of details about Chinese history so when I listened to the history about the items (my mum rented an audio tour for me) it was a little boring and I found myself wandering off more than once. After the museum we went to “ Mall ‘x’ “ (I decided to dub it that because I have no idea what the actual name of it was) and ate dinner at a curry restaurant. I have never seen so many types of curried food but needless to say it was delicious and my mouth was burning when I was done.

On Saturday my host mother took me to the Dingpu train station where I met with Christine, my Chinese teacher for my “train test”. I live quite a ways out of town so knowing how to take the train is an essential asset and my host family is extremely busy so I asked Christine to assist me. We took the train to Yilan and then we took it back to Dingpu just to make sure I know all of the right stops and how to buy tickets from both locations.

Sunday was to be a day of rest, or so I thought. My host mum woke me around 7:45 telling me to get ready because we were to go hiking in… 15 minutes. (Feel free to imagine one of me annoyed face here). I was half ready when she came and told me I didn’t have to go because my host sister was staying home to study. I was told later that day that we would be going around noon but when twelve o’clock came and past I had little faith that we would be going anywhere. Of course, once I think something isn’t going to happen it does and yes, we did end up going on a hike and I had about five minutes notice before we went out the door. The wildlife and fauna were interesting to see… blah blah blah, there are pictures below.

Finally, glorious Tuesday rolled around. Now you may be wondering why Tuesday, of all seven days of the week, is being referred to as glorious – one word… Costco. Anyone who knows me will know that I am a Costco fanatic and as soon as I can I’ll most likely own a card and own many things that I don’t need… in bulk form. I went with Russell, his wife and son and Jenny. There was the initial problem that no one can find myself but luckily my host brother was up so he was kind enough to explain how to get here (I really do live in the middle of no where). The drive seemed unusually short but that could be because I talked non-stop the whole way there (I have limited people that I can have a proper English conversation with so when the opportunity arises, I don’t just jump at it, I tackle it down and beat it with a stick… but anyway) I only bought three things there because my funds at the time were limited. Among those three things was my pride and joy, a giant box of Honey Bunches of Oats cereal (well worth every cent I spent on it). I would have taken pictures in Costco but it seemed that there was an employee around every corner and seeing as how I get in trouble on a daily basis for taking pictures when I shouldn’t, I decided not to push my luck that day.

After Costco we did some shopping around and ate dinner at a delicious restaurant called Café Grazie. I think it has been the best food that I’ve eaten since I’ve got here.

Wednesday and Thursday held nothing special in store; I was just waiting for my upcoming four day weekend. I didn’t have to go to school on Friday, Saturday and Monday because mid term exams were being written. Oh, you did read right, Saturday, since Monday was given off for no good reason (Tuesday was Taiwan’s Birthday), they punish the students and make them go on Saturday!

On Friday I went to Loudong with Chase, Mayumi and Jenny where we met up with Taka (if you have no idea as to whom I’m referring to, there are pictures of them in a previous post). We spent the day shopping and wandering around town.

On Saturday we (Taka, Jenny, Chase and I) spent the day in Yilan (were I go to school and most of the exchange students live) shopping and eating. Again, there are pictures below so no more torture or words.

Sunday was a “stay at home day” (for the main part anyway) which was good because I had another allergic reaction to… something. On the brighter side it had nothing to do with my eye but was basically everywhere else on me. Don’t worry, I have no pictures to accompany this. I did however go out around seven for coffee with Luis (Brazilian exchange student) and his current and second host families. They were very nice and gave me some Chinese books that I had requested from Taipei. It was nice to talk to all of them and I was even able to cover up my reaction with a long sleeved t-shirt and pants.

I took Monday to be my Sunday, I decided to stay home and do all of my usual Sunday chores like cleaning my room and laundry. It was a nice day but unfortunately I woke up at 7:30 and couldn’t get back to sleep L . Oh well though, I was at lest able to get everything done.

Now, enough of the boring and time for the exciting! I have a lot of pictures so I hope I’ll be able to get them all up in one day but if I don’t then I should have them all up by Wednesday! Take care.

Much Love;
Karly

Russell's crazy driving


In front of the museum (a.k.a Traditional Art Center or 傳統藝術中心 but that's only if you
know Chinese.)


Entrance to the theater


A little scale model of the whole museum (sorry, I couldn't get the whole thing because I had to hold the camera above me)


Christine (my chinese teacher)


It looked cool...


Jenny and I playing (p.s. It still looked like I had black eyes because it was not long after my allergic reaction #1 and yes... my hair is poofy)


Shh... I'm in deep thought




STARBUCKS!!!!!! (I was a little excited)


Christine


Jenny


Russell




- In Taipei with my host family -

My host mother and I


A shot of the museum


The coolest garbage can I've ever seen


People really do park on the sidewalk


Me with the RPM in the background (my sunglasses are broken but it was so bright had to wear something)


Willie and Rose eating curry


This was a big picture on the wall of the curry place


My grandparents and father


大中至正門. (That's it's Chinese name) I don't know the English name of this place


中正紀念堂. Or this one...


A nice looking tree


Police marking to take down the flag in the courtyard between unknown builing's one and two