Food

I decided to take a break from the narrative of my fascinating life, and instead make fun of some very Chinese things I've noticed about food-not really about the food itself, but people and food here.

The first thing that I've noticed is how proud Taiwanese people are of their food. For example: my uncle was talking about buying mangoes in the Philippines (or something along those lines), and my great-aunt just interrupts him and says "Our mangoes here are better." Or when I mention that I like something my grandma makes for dinner, everyone assumes it's because I've only had it in Taiwan. Why? Who knows. Is it just something that laowai (foreigners) experience because people are so eager to introduce us to all the food here? Who knows. Anyway, I've never met so many people so defensive of their country's food.

Chinese people are also the only people I've met who talk about other food while they're eating food. Most of the conversations during dinner here have been about food-and not the food we're currently eating either. It's always about food people had some other time. They do talk about food when they're not eating too (they're so proud of it) Do they do this because they don't know what else to talk about? Or is it just that they're used to talking about food?

Anyway. That's all I have today. I know I promised pictures, so I'll put some up later tonight.

Orientation

No matter how many fans you have, the heat in a Taiwan classroom can still melt you into a little puddle of self sitting on your seat. And it's even worse when you have nothing to do, 'cause then you're a really bored puddle.

But BESIDES that, I had a great time at orientation, thanks for asking. The good news is that I only have a half day left to survive.

Backing up a bit...we moved into our new house in Yilan, bought tons of furniture and other stuff (haha lets not get into how terrible that was), I figured out that I can only run at night and in the morning because it's ridiculously hot here, I practiced with the track team and met some people, got yelled at by my coach because I can't sprint, got lost somewhere where I couldn't read the street signs, went tourist-ing in Yilan/Luodong/Taipei, ate some crazy food (stinky tofu, chicken feet), Evan went to orientation where apparently there wasn't air conditioning, I felt sorry for Evan, I went to orientation without air conditioning, and Evan felt sorry for me.

That's the short version.

You're pretty much caught up now. Pictures next post.

Only in Taiwan: Episode 1

Excuse me sir, is that a tomato on your head?

Sorry Evan, I can't see you. There must be something in the way...

Maybe if we act like him, someone will take a picture of us.

The Last Supper pictures

The last supper.

Apparently, this is the "I just stole your wallet" dance.

The oh-so-nutritious Last Supper. Coach Brown would be proud.

It's the shady truck...so of course we took a picture next to it.

Oh, I CAN pick up Joey.

Alex is a little heavier though.

And it was about to be such a good picture too...

Last Supper-ing.

What would I do without you guys?

We made it!

After a LONG flight and some crazy almost-missing-your-connection-because-your-previous-flight-got-delayed drama, I'm now sitting on a really not comfortable fake-leather couch in the really hot Taipei airport which is still about 20 degrees cooler than it is outside, typing this. And I'm happy to be here. =] I do miss all of you back there in Michigan though...even though if you guys were here about half of you would be making asian jokes. (Not mentioning any names Olivia and Alex. =PP)

I'm exhausted, I'm going to sign off for now, but I'll post pictures and the dramatic thrilling story of the delayed flight drama later.

-Ian