My First Week in Taiwan - July 17-21

July 17th
Well, I made it. It feels like I’ve been traveling for a week (even thought it was actually only 22 hours), but I’m finally here. All in all the trip itself was pretty uneventful. The first 3 episodes of Buffy Season 2 were a fabulous way to spend a 4 hour layover. I did get to see the sun set over Vancouver and rise over Taipei, both from the plane. Word to the wise, if ever flying to Asia and you’re given the choice of porridge or omelet, choose omelet. I learned this the hard way. Because porridge is this thick rice-pudding-y thing with chicken and peas. Not the most appetizing thing. And in spite of my gag-worthy meal, I required no Gravol during the whole trip! I made it the whole way drug free, except for an allergy pill.
Now I’ve been dropped off at my apartment. They guy gave me my new address and phone number and a map, and left. The apartment is nice. Kinda small and awkwardly laid out. At least it seems that way to my Western sensibilities. But the view is pretty, and my flatmate seems nice (although I still don’t know her name). She’s gone to work now, so I’m absolutely on my own for the rest of today. I’m not quite sure what to do, especially since I can’t quite figure out their addressing system and I don’t have internet yet. Maybe I’ll look for head office, so I don’t get lost going there tomorrow.
Well, seeing as how it’s incredibly hot outside, and I have jet lag, most of the rest of my day was divided between more Buffy Season 2 and sleep. I did venture out in the evening and successfully completed my first purchase using NT$. I also found one of the night markets and got some watermelon for dinner.
It’s so weird, though, the sun rises at 5am and was completely set by about 7:30. Also the time change is super easy, because it’s 12 hours. So when it’s lunch time at home, it’s midnight here.


July 18th
I went to head office today. And I only got lost a little. I was about 5 minutes late (good thing I left myself time to get lost). I met a guy who got here yesterday just like me. He’s from Louisville Kentucky and his name is Sean, although for some reason, in my head I keep wanting to call him Greg. Today was the formalities day. We filled out a billion forms, and went to the medical center to get checked out (complete with blood tests and chest x-rays). You’ll be glad to know that I don’t have TB. It was cool, though, cuz the x-ray came up on the screen while I was right there and I got to see it. My lungs are clear as a bell.
After the medical we had 2 hours for lunch. So we found a coffee shop called Please, and ordered by pointing at the menu. I had lasagna (how authentic of me, eh?) And this fruity tea that was super good. I don’t know what it was called though, because it sure wasn’t the lemon & orange tea that I ordered.
After lunch we went back to head office and filled out a billion more forms. I have signed my contract, so I am officially a teacher now. So my one year starts from the day that I begin teaching, which will be for the August semester. I’m really excited I’ll have the same kids from 9:30 - 4:30 Monday-Friday. And I get to teach them EVERYTHING!!! All in English, of course.
Tonight my flatmate is going to show me around a little and teach me how to use the MTR (the subway). Then tomorrow I’m off on the MTR alone to go to my school. I get to observe classes and meet some other teachers. I also get a training allowance until I start teaching.
The MRT puts the TTC to shame. Everything’s so high-tech it’s crazy. They have areas to line up before you get on the train and the trains always stop with their doors at the same place. Also, they have digital displays in the train to tell you what stop is coming up next.
So this phase of the adventure was fun. We took the train to a department store called Sogo. It was huge. We ate in the food court in the basement and I had chow mein. Then we wandered the store and up the street a bit. After that we went to the bookstore! I didn’t even have to ask. And yes there is an English section. Lots of Jane Austin.
From the bookstore we moved on to the local supermarket called "Welcome". They have bottles of water for super cheap. I got two 1.5 liter bottles for less than a (Canadian) dollar. After that it was home time and I read a little before going to sleep. It can’t always be an adventure. But tomorrow after going to the school, we’re either going up to the shore or to Taipei 101, which I think is something like the CN Tower, with shops and things and a great view.


July 19th
So during my adventure last night, I bought an international phone card. I was so excited, I almost used it to call home at 4:30am EST. Needless to say, I didn’t use it then, but I tried to use it this morning (at 7am here and 7pm there - gotta love the 12 hour difference). Imagine my disappointment when I couldn’t get the card to work. I wonder if I have the national code wrong. I mean North America is 1, right? So instead of talking to my Mommy and reassuring her that I’m alright (and myself that everything hasn’t fallen apart without me), I’m here typing in this log. Sigh. And now I’m off to school.
The commute to my school is comparable to my commute in Toronto, only instead of a 20 min. bus ride before taking 2 trains, I now have a 15 min walk. In horrible heat and brutal humidity. Also, people here don’t read on the subway. It was weird.
At school, I did finally get the chance to e-mail home to tell the fam that I’m here safe and still figuring things out. I also got on to facebook. Man I’m so addicted to that thing. Education-wise the school is really great. The space that we get to work in is fantastic and the other teachers seem really nice. My new boss took me out for lunch and a couple other teachers invited me to dinner with them. 2 of the other teachers (Sam and Katherine) are also from the GTA (how weird is that?). And Sam actually graduated from Mac the same year I did. He was in Poly-Sci though *gag*. The other teacher that’s there now is from New Zealand. And I was told that there’s one other new teacher starting at the end of the month.
I also found out that the school "dorm" (it’s actually an apartment owned by the school) has 2 vacant rooms. It’s much closer to the school and furnished. So tomorrow I will be talking to my boss to see about moving in there permanently. If I do, I’ll miss my current roommate, cuz she’s been such a huge help, but it’ll be nice to live with other foreigners, and not have an hour’s commute.
Also, I find my schedule reset ridiculously early here. I mean I’m waking up (wide awake) starting around 6am. And I’m ready for bed by like 10. It may be because of the wonky sunset. I mean when it’s full dark by 7:30 it feels much later than it actually is. Oh well, it means I’m perfectly awake and ready to go by the time I get to school.


July 20th
I made it to school without getting lost!! I did take the subway in the wrong direction, but that was only for one stop and I was still early. Go me!! Today I sat in on Katherine's class. I got to interact with the kids more, too. They warmed up to me quickly, it’s only my second day and there are already 4 who are all over me. We did an art project, mixing colours. It was fun to watch the kids get all excited when we created a whole new colour just from the primaries.
I got to participate in play time, where 2 of the girls drew me several pictures. It was super sweet. I also got mauled when it was time to watch a DVD (hey, it’s Friday). There was almost a fight about who got to sit beside me. But then they realized that some could sit in front of me, too and it all worked out. I think it’s just cuz I’m something new. These aren’t the kids that I’ll be teaching on my own, though. I’ll get the 3 year olds. The very youngest allowed.
My quest for today was to find a postcard to send to Jamie. I have been thwarted at every turn. And I was hoping maybe my roommate and I could go out tonight, since we didn’t get to go yesterday. But she’s having a "friend" over, possibly just for the night and possibly for the weekend. So I don’t expect to see much of her. She was really sweet, though, and brought me something to eat that’s apparently really rare. I appreciate the gesture, but why do so many Asian dishes have the texture of a jellyfish? It really makes my stomach roll. And that’s not even counting the flavour (which could be great for all I know, I can’t get over the texture).
Maybe I’ll wander out by myself later. According to Sam (the other teacher with a Mac degree) Taipei is super safe, even for a girl out by herself late at night. I don’t plan to be that late, though. I may try to find a café with wi-fi so I can contact home.


July 21st
Happy Birthday Erin!!! Right now I am sitting in a coffee shop called "Mr. Brown’s Coffee" and using the internet to my heart’s content. For breakfast I had the Chinese rarity... Dunkin’ Donuts. It was really nice to have a taste of home and the Boston Cream donut was really good. So anyway, now I’m trying to do everything that I’ve wanted to do on the internet for the last week. I’ve e-mailed everyone, updated facebook, and now I’m checking my account balances.
It’s so great to be a preschool teacher. We’re the only ones who get Saturday and Sunday off. A real weekend! Of course, I still woke up a little after 6 and I have no idea what I’m doing with the rest of my day, once they kick me out of here. But I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Tomorrow, I’m going hiking (yipes, I’m out of shape) with one of the other preschool teachers.
Also tomorrow, a new teacher is moving into the apartment. Hopefully it’s a sinfully handsome Aussie boy. More likely it’ll be another girl, but I can dream.
Memo to self: I don’t like shrimp! Not by itself, not in lasagna. I’ll have to remember that next time I think about ordering anything that says (seafood) next to it. But no one can say I’m not trying new things.