"I am happy, I'm feeling glad. I've got sunshine in a bag."
Sorry it has taken me so long to write an update. I kept meaning to everyday, but I always get sidetracked or else I just don't feel like it at the time. So I kept putting it off, but here it is in all its splendid glory.
So, I've been here for over a month now, and I think that I am finally getting used to life here. I still don't have my own scooter, but in the next few weeks that problem should be solved. And then I will be able to get myself around without having to rely on Adrian. And I will be able to go where I want, when I want. Ahhhhh freedom!!!!
Since I last talked to most of you I have had a few firsts. So I guess I'll start at the beginning of the list.
On Monday nights I teach a private student. He is 43 and a professional soldier. He can read English perfectly and comprehend it wonderfully, but when it comes to listening to and speaking English he needs a lot of work. He wants me to teach him how to be fluent in English conversation in 20 hours or less. Now any of you who have taken any type of Linguistics course, or tried to study English at all, know how difficult the English language is. And since I am not a miracle worker I doubt I will be able to meet his expectations, but I will try. So since he has trouble listening and I have a hearing problem and can't quite get through his accent (plus he yells whenever he talks so it is always super loud) we basically say the same things back and forth to each other over and over again for an hour and a half and call it a night. But one Monday a few weeks ago he offered to give me a ride home on his scooter. Since I was really tired that day and didn't feel like walking I took him up on his offer. And I now know never to do that again. Turns out he was actually offering to take me back to his house to meet his wife and daughter and feed me. Since I didn't want to be rude and insult my guest I went along with it for a while. Now most of you might think that this is just him being generous and kind. I am sure he had the best intentions and it was nice to get some free food and wine (very strong wine too). But time flew by and the next thing I knew it was 10:00 and I had to get home. Plus as far as conversation went it was basically small talk for over an hour. And I am not that keen on talking to someone about the weather for 40 minutes. He did try to get me to tell him why I didn't join the army. But since I basically didn't want to undermine everything that he lives for I just told him I decided to go to school instead. And then he just looked at me for about a minute waiting for more. He had a clock on the wall opposite and even though I had been keeping a loose eye on it all night I pretended that I noticed the time for the first time and told him I had to get going.
He held true on his offer to give me a ride home. It was nice but now he knows where I live and is expecting me to invite him over all of the time. Earlier in the night he gave me his phone number and told me if I ever needed a favour or had any questions I shouldn't hesitate to call. He then asked me for my number. In retrospect I should have told him that I didn't know it, but instead I gave him my number and now he can also call me anytime. I am sure he is just being very friendly, and I appreciate that. But he comes on a little strong. This past weekend he called on Sunday and basically said he was coming over. But Adrian and I had plans to go to Taipei that day (more on that later) so I told him it wasn't a good time. He said he would see me in class on Monday, but it was a holiday so there is no class. He just piped right up and said he would call at 9 in the morning (I don't get up until 10) and he would come over. I said I might have plans and goodbye. I then immediately told Adrian to ignore the phone Monday morning so that I wouldn't have to deal with him. I know that was a mean thing to do, but I didn't want him feeling like he could just invite himself over to my place anytime he felt like having a free English class. Hopefully he got the hint and will realize that we have a professional relationship.
At the same time I feel bad, because I was going to use him to get free haircuts at the army base (3.00 Canadian, how can you go wrong?) and now I can't.
Speaking of haircuts. Did you ever hear the one about the foreigner who walked into a barbershop? Well let me tell it to you. A few weeks ago I realized that unless I wanted to audition for a part in a British rock group I HAD to get a haircut. So one day I had a few hours to kill between classes at my adult school. So I set out to find a place where I could get a hair cut. I walked up to a building with a sign that said, of all things: The Barber Shop. Well how's that for luck, it's two blocks away from work. Now I go up to the man standing outside the front door. And tell him in my terrible Chinese as I mimed haircut: I want I want. He just looked at me and then after repeating myself a few more times he gestured for a woman form the inside to come out and help translate my sad attempt at the universal sign for Haircut. I did the same actions and said the same things to her. I want (make gesture of haircut) I want (Make gesture of haircut). No dice. She was lost, but she did try to talk to me. She said NO. And when I did it one more time. She made the gesture of a massage. I was lost. Just a sweaty white guy looking like an idiot talking to two Chinese. Then it hit me. It's a Massage Parlour. Ah ha! I got it. I said sorry and walked away. Turns out (as I was informed later) that I almost went into a brothel. That might have been awkward to go in expecting a haircut and getting just not getting what was actually going on.
I then walked for half an hour. I didn't see one barbershop. It may sound strange to you. But normally I can't go two blocks without finding one. It's like when you are out and have to use the bathroom badly. They're everywhere until you need one. I eventually found one. Like an oasis in a desert it called to me and I walked in. Now, just a word to the wise: Don't do what I am about to tell you.
I went into the shop and there was one woman cutting hair. And one woman getting her hair cut. Either they have never seen a white person before or men don't go into that shop. They both went deathly silent and stared at me. (first bad sign) I looked at the woman cutting the hair and asked (once again in my bad Chinese) how much? She didn't answer me. I kept asking how much and she just kept staring. (second bad sign. When she clued in that I wanted a haircut and was probably carrying a lot of money she quickly made me sit down. Put a cup of tea in front of me and a book of men's hairstyles form the 80's (third bad sign). She told me to go through the book and choose the style that I wanted. Now I looked through about 20 pages of haircuts. 15 styles per page. And not one was short on the top and shorter on the sides. Not one. Some came close, but then the bangs would be all weird or the back would be kinda strange. So I combed the pages and from 4 pictures pointed out the style that I wanted. I hoped that she understood what I wanted and I got into the seat. She did a pretty good job. The hair on top was a little longer than I wanted, but I had no idea how to tell her differently. So I just smiled and told her it was great. She washed my hair and offered to style it. She took out three different styling goops and applied them liberally to my scalp. (good thing she washed my hair?!) (fourth bad sign) I got out of my seat and asked how much she looked at me thought for a second and said 460 dollars. Now I have admitted that my Chinese is poor, so I figured I misheard her. I asked 460 dollars?! She just said yes and waited. I looked into my wallet and at my change and saw the 470 dollars that was supposed to get me a haircut, lunch and home on the bus. Boy that's a nice feeling. I handed her my money and walked out of there into the pouring rain (oh yeah I didn't have an umbrella either.) with my 10 dollars (basically 50 cents Canadian) and felt all of the various hair goops get washed out of my hair and down my back.
So I warn you brothers and sisters. No matter how desperate you are don't walk into just any barbershop. Get someone to help you. It could save you a whole heck of a lot of money and you could also end up with a style you actually want.
Another first that's happened in the past while is that I have learned how to drive the scooter finally. It was basically out of necessity. It didn't have enough energy to get Adrian from one job to the next and home again. And since I didn't have any more work that night I was given the task of getting the scooter home and plugging it in. In rush hour traffic none-the-less. So it was basically sink or swim. I made it to within half and hours walk from home and that�s when the scooters power died completely. So I had the joy of pushing the scooter the rest of the way home. Do any of you know that old saying of losing weight by putting on a garbage bag and sweating? Well try that with a full body rain suit in the pouring rain. It's oh so much fun, let me tell you. I highly recommend it to my worst enemies. I made it home without any other incidents so I guess that means I can drive the scooter. That was the first time. I have since driven it a few more times and it�s going well. I have enough confidence and I understand the basic non-rules of the road to keep myself out of trouble. So now it�s time to get my own. WOOHOO!!!!!!!
OK, so now it's time to talk about something that cannot be described. I went to Taipei and saw the Chang Kei Scheck (sp?) memorial this past Sunday. Honestly I don't think words can do that place justice. (Nick, if you ever have the chance to see it you HAVE to. HAVE TO!!!!!!) In a country where you can't swing a dead cat without hitting ten people they have this huge plaza that has enough room for 3 million people all standing. And the immense size of the gates and the building that houses CKS's statue is breathtaking. I was rendered speechless by it beauty. And before you ask, I forgot my camera, but don;t worry I'm going back to take some. Plus the fact that the city takes the time and energy to keep and maintain this space makes me realize how special the area really is. There is nothing anywhere that I have been that compares to this. It's glorious. I wish you could all come here and see it. I think that things like this need to be seen by people so that they can appreciate the beauty of a country. It is a completely different Taiwan in CKS than anywhere else. When I think about Taiwan in terms of Jung Li (the city I live in) I think of dirt and traffic and dirt and crowds and dirt and noise and dirt. But when I think of Taiwan in terms of CKS I think of Beauty, splendour, magnificence, silence, peace and room. It�s breathtaking really I recommend you see it.
Ok I think that I have babbled enough for one update. I will try to get better at this as the time goes I really will. And please keep writing me letters, no matter how mundane, they are nice to get. And I will try to get back to you; I just might take a few days.
Sorry it has taken me so long to write an update. I kept meaning to everyday, but I always get sidetracked or else I just don't feel like it at the time. So I kept putting it off, but here it is in all its splendid glory.
So, I've been here for over a month now, and I think that I am finally getting used to life here. I still don't have my own scooter, but in the next few weeks that problem should be solved. And then I will be able to get myself around without having to rely on Adrian. And I will be able to go where I want, when I want. Ahhhhh freedom!!!!
Since I last talked to most of you I have had a few firsts. So I guess I'll start at the beginning of the list.
On Monday nights I teach a private student. He is 43 and a professional soldier. He can read English perfectly and comprehend it wonderfully, but when it comes to listening to and speaking English he needs a lot of work. He wants me to teach him how to be fluent in English conversation in 20 hours or less. Now any of you who have taken any type of Linguistics course, or tried to study English at all, know how difficult the English language is. And since I am not a miracle worker I doubt I will be able to meet his expectations, but I will try. So since he has trouble listening and I have a hearing problem and can't quite get through his accent (plus he yells whenever he talks so it is always super loud) we basically say the same things back and forth to each other over and over again for an hour and a half and call it a night. But one Monday a few weeks ago he offered to give me a ride home on his scooter. Since I was really tired that day and didn't feel like walking I took him up on his offer. And I now know never to do that again. Turns out he was actually offering to take me back to his house to meet his wife and daughter and feed me. Since I didn't want to be rude and insult my guest I went along with it for a while. Now most of you might think that this is just him being generous and kind. I am sure he had the best intentions and it was nice to get some free food and wine (very strong wine too). But time flew by and the next thing I knew it was 10:00 and I had to get home. Plus as far as conversation went it was basically small talk for over an hour. And I am not that keen on talking to someone about the weather for 40 minutes. He did try to get me to tell him why I didn't join the army. But since I basically didn't want to undermine everything that he lives for I just told him I decided to go to school instead. And then he just looked at me for about a minute waiting for more. He had a clock on the wall opposite and even though I had been keeping a loose eye on it all night I pretended that I noticed the time for the first time and told him I had to get going.
He held true on his offer to give me a ride home. It was nice but now he knows where I live and is expecting me to invite him over all of the time. Earlier in the night he gave me his phone number and told me if I ever needed a favour or had any questions I shouldn't hesitate to call. He then asked me for my number. In retrospect I should have told him that I didn't know it, but instead I gave him my number and now he can also call me anytime. I am sure he is just being very friendly, and I appreciate that. But he comes on a little strong. This past weekend he called on Sunday and basically said he was coming over. But Adrian and I had plans to go to Taipei that day (more on that later) so I told him it wasn't a good time. He said he would see me in class on Monday, but it was a holiday so there is no class. He just piped right up and said he would call at 9 in the morning (I don't get up until 10) and he would come over. I said I might have plans and goodbye. I then immediately told Adrian to ignore the phone Monday morning so that I wouldn't have to deal with him. I know that was a mean thing to do, but I didn't want him feeling like he could just invite himself over to my place anytime he felt like having a free English class. Hopefully he got the hint and will realize that we have a professional relationship.
At the same time I feel bad, because I was going to use him to get free haircuts at the army base (3.00 Canadian, how can you go wrong?) and now I can't.
Speaking of haircuts. Did you ever hear the one about the foreigner who walked into a barbershop? Well let me tell it to you. A few weeks ago I realized that unless I wanted to audition for a part in a British rock group I HAD to get a haircut. So one day I had a few hours to kill between classes at my adult school. So I set out to find a place where I could get a hair cut. I walked up to a building with a sign that said, of all things: The Barber Shop. Well how's that for luck, it's two blocks away from work. Now I go up to the man standing outside the front door. And tell him in my terrible Chinese as I mimed haircut: I want I want. He just looked at me and then after repeating myself a few more times he gestured for a woman form the inside to come out and help translate my sad attempt at the universal sign for Haircut. I did the same actions and said the same things to her. I want (make gesture of haircut) I want (Make gesture of haircut). No dice. She was lost, but she did try to talk to me. She said NO. And when I did it one more time. She made the gesture of a massage. I was lost. Just a sweaty white guy looking like an idiot talking to two Chinese. Then it hit me. It's a Massage Parlour. Ah ha! I got it. I said sorry and walked away. Turns out (as I was informed later) that I almost went into a brothel. That might have been awkward to go in expecting a haircut and getting just not getting what was actually going on.
I then walked for half an hour. I didn't see one barbershop. It may sound strange to you. But normally I can't go two blocks without finding one. It's like when you are out and have to use the bathroom badly. They're everywhere until you need one. I eventually found one. Like an oasis in a desert it called to me and I walked in. Now, just a word to the wise: Don't do what I am about to tell you.
I went into the shop and there was one woman cutting hair. And one woman getting her hair cut. Either they have never seen a white person before or men don't go into that shop. They both went deathly silent and stared at me. (first bad sign) I looked at the woman cutting the hair and asked (once again in my bad Chinese) how much? She didn't answer me. I kept asking how much and she just kept staring. (second bad sign. When she clued in that I wanted a haircut and was probably carrying a lot of money she quickly made me sit down. Put a cup of tea in front of me and a book of men's hairstyles form the 80's (third bad sign). She told me to go through the book and choose the style that I wanted. Now I looked through about 20 pages of haircuts. 15 styles per page. And not one was short on the top and shorter on the sides. Not one. Some came close, but then the bangs would be all weird or the back would be kinda strange. So I combed the pages and from 4 pictures pointed out the style that I wanted. I hoped that she understood what I wanted and I got into the seat. She did a pretty good job. The hair on top was a little longer than I wanted, but I had no idea how to tell her differently. So I just smiled and told her it was great. She washed my hair and offered to style it. She took out three different styling goops and applied them liberally to my scalp. (good thing she washed my hair?!) (fourth bad sign) I got out of my seat and asked how much she looked at me thought for a second and said 460 dollars. Now I have admitted that my Chinese is poor, so I figured I misheard her. I asked 460 dollars?! She just said yes and waited. I looked into my wallet and at my change and saw the 470 dollars that was supposed to get me a haircut, lunch and home on the bus. Boy that's a nice feeling. I handed her my money and walked out of there into the pouring rain (oh yeah I didn't have an umbrella either.) with my 10 dollars (basically 50 cents Canadian) and felt all of the various hair goops get washed out of my hair and down my back.
So I warn you brothers and sisters. No matter how desperate you are don't walk into just any barbershop. Get someone to help you. It could save you a whole heck of a lot of money and you could also end up with a style you actually want.
Another first that's happened in the past while is that I have learned how to drive the scooter finally. It was basically out of necessity. It didn't have enough energy to get Adrian from one job to the next and home again. And since I didn't have any more work that night I was given the task of getting the scooter home and plugging it in. In rush hour traffic none-the-less. So it was basically sink or swim. I made it to within half and hours walk from home and that�s when the scooters power died completely. So I had the joy of pushing the scooter the rest of the way home. Do any of you know that old saying of losing weight by putting on a garbage bag and sweating? Well try that with a full body rain suit in the pouring rain. It's oh so much fun, let me tell you. I highly recommend it to my worst enemies. I made it home without any other incidents so I guess that means I can drive the scooter. That was the first time. I have since driven it a few more times and it�s going well. I have enough confidence and I understand the basic non-rules of the road to keep myself out of trouble. So now it�s time to get my own. WOOHOO!!!!!!!
OK, so now it's time to talk about something that cannot be described. I went to Taipei and saw the Chang Kei Scheck (sp?) memorial this past Sunday. Honestly I don't think words can do that place justice. (Nick, if you ever have the chance to see it you HAVE to. HAVE TO!!!!!!) In a country where you can't swing a dead cat without hitting ten people they have this huge plaza that has enough room for 3 million people all standing. And the immense size of the gates and the building that houses CKS's statue is breathtaking. I was rendered speechless by it beauty. And before you ask, I forgot my camera, but don;t worry I'm going back to take some. Plus the fact that the city takes the time and energy to keep and maintain this space makes me realize how special the area really is. There is nothing anywhere that I have been that compares to this. It's glorious. I wish you could all come here and see it. I think that things like this need to be seen by people so that they can appreciate the beauty of a country. It is a completely different Taiwan in CKS than anywhere else. When I think about Taiwan in terms of Jung Li (the city I live in) I think of dirt and traffic and dirt and crowds and dirt and noise and dirt. But when I think of Taiwan in terms of CKS I think of Beauty, splendour, magnificence, silence, peace and room. It�s breathtaking really I recommend you see it.
Ok I think that I have babbled enough for one update. I will try to get better at this as the time goes I really will. And please keep writing me letters, no matter how mundane, they are nice to get. And I will try to get back to you; I just might take a few days.
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