June 25, 2008
Stay tuned...
I wanted to post more but got sidetracked with a phone call with a fellow Jelen and a few Tsingtaos. Perhaps tomorrow I will continue...
June 24, 2008
Good Times - Baishawan Beach
Back to Sunday, June 15...
After a night out at Club 7-11 (No joke - going to a club, not actually going into the club, and drinking beers outside of the nearest 7-11 is quite popular here. I enjoyed it), Mike and I decided it was time for our first beach experience in Taiwan.
We took the MRT up to Danshui and continued via bus to Baishawan Beach, a beach on the Northwestern coast of Taiwan. The whole trip took just over an hour from my place. Not too shabby.
Once at the beach, we first enjoyed a lovely pasta lunch at Cafe de Mr. Robert. Maybe it was because I hadn't had spaghetti for over a month or maybe it was because Mr. Robert just knows his pasta, but it was damn good. A peach frappe was also delicious, but a bit too much.
While eating, we noticed most of the people were swimming in the middle so we figured we'd head to one of the edges of the beach. After waiting 30 minutes (of course), I made my grand entrance into the Taiwan Strait.
The sun was shining, the water was warm, and I felt like I could swim to China (under a flag of peace of course). Not even a minute later, a lifeguard was blowing his whistle at me. Apparently, all those people were in the designated swimming area and I was breaking the rules. At this point, I remembered reading somewhere that over 50% of the population can't swim despite the fact that they live on an island. Comical yes, but at least the swim area makes sense.
But there was one small problem with the swim area: the deepest part didn't even reach my chest. Seriously??? I know the population is generally shorter than me, but not THAT much shorter.
I was not pleased. I contemplated asking Mr. Hasselhoff if I could take a swimming test to prove that I could survive in more than 4 feet of water. But it appeared the only folks allowed any deeper were the surfers. Although I've never surfed, I thought about renting a board and just swimming alongside it.
And the funny thing about the surfers was that any and all waves were breaking in the swim area. Many times a surfer would just get up and have to immediately jump off since they reached the ropes and could go no further. Quite hilarious to watch their frustration.
But since we were stuck in the kiddie pool we decided to act like kids and just play in the waves. Good times indeed. But my marine invasion of the mainland would have to wait...
After a night out at Club 7-11 (No joke - going to a club, not actually going into the club, and drinking beers outside of the nearest 7-11 is quite popular here. I enjoyed it), Mike and I decided it was time for our first beach experience in Taiwan.
We took the MRT up to Danshui and continued via bus to Baishawan Beach, a beach on the Northwestern coast of Taiwan. The whole trip took just over an hour from my place. Not too shabby.
Once at the beach, we first enjoyed a lovely pasta lunch at Cafe de Mr. Robert. Maybe it was because I hadn't had spaghetti for over a month or maybe it was because Mr. Robert just knows his pasta, but it was damn good. A peach frappe was also delicious, but a bit too much.
While eating, we noticed most of the people were swimming in the middle so we figured we'd head to one of the edges of the beach. After waiting 30 minutes (of course), I made my grand entrance into the Taiwan Strait.
The sun was shining, the water was warm, and I felt like I could swim to China (under a flag of peace of course). Not even a minute later, a lifeguard was blowing his whistle at me. Apparently, all those people were in the designated swimming area and I was breaking the rules. At this point, I remembered reading somewhere that over 50% of the population can't swim despite the fact that they live on an island. Comical yes, but at least the swim area makes sense.
But there was one small problem with the swim area: the deepest part didn't even reach my chest. Seriously??? I know the population is generally shorter than me, but not THAT much shorter.
I was not pleased. I contemplated asking Mr. Hasselhoff if I could take a swimming test to prove that I could survive in more than 4 feet of water. But it appeared the only folks allowed any deeper were the surfers. Although I've never surfed, I thought about renting a board and just swimming alongside it.
And the funny thing about the surfers was that any and all waves were breaking in the swim area. Many times a surfer would just get up and have to immediately jump off since they reached the ropes and could go no further. Quite hilarious to watch their frustration.
But since we were stuck in the kiddie pool we decided to act like kids and just play in the waves. Good times indeed. But my marine invasion of the mainland would have to wait...
Hello? Bueller?
Whoa, sorry folks. I've been so busy with all things Asia that I forgot to share my adventures. I'll try to get you up to date with a few posts.
June 12, 2008
Dragons & Beardogs & Squid..Oh My!
My first Taiwanese holiday - Dragon Boat Festival. It was this past Sunday and oh what a day.
My friends Pat, Alex, Mike, and I decided to make our way to the Dragon Boat Races in the Dazhi neighborhood. Unfortunately, there is no MRT that goes there so we went to the closest one and walked it. It was a nice walk along the river but it took us nearly an hour to get there and we were worried about missing the races.
Alas, we were finally approaching the race scene on the Keelung River (on the wrong side of course). Just as we got there, it started to drizzle. 30 seconds later that drizzle turned into a downpour and the races began. Weather fit for a dragon I guess. Good times indeed.
We started going over the bridge and watched the next race from a bird's eye view. We finally made our way to the proper crowd section and watched the remaining races from there.
The races themselves were alright because once they passed your area it was tough to tell who was in first and who was in last (and the finish line area was mobbed). But the event was a really cool experience. And the boats do really look like dragons. Scary!
At the conclusion of the races, we found ourselves relaxing at a nearby fountain. Suddenly, a small bear ran past us. Ok, so it wasn't a bear. But it was some sort of beardog and the way it ran was hysterical. Check out Picasa for more proof.
After the beardog incident (there was a liondog too!), we made our way back to the tent area behind where the dragon boat races were. I assumed I could get a cool souvenir there. Maybe a mini dragon boat or something. Nope. Nothing. There were plenty of vendors but no one was selling anything like that. I was disappointed.
That is, of course, until I found an even better souvenir: squid-on-a-stick. You read that correctly, squid-on-a-stick. Its exactly that. The guy grills up a whole squid, splits it open so its flat, puts a marinade and some sesame seeds on it, and that's it. And the diagnosis? Delicious. Pat had one too and thought the same thing. The best $60 NT (less than $2 US) I've spent so far. I need to find more of that stuff.
My friends Pat, Alex, Mike, and I decided to make our way to the Dragon Boat Races in the Dazhi neighborhood. Unfortunately, there is no MRT that goes there so we went to the closest one and walked it. It was a nice walk along the river but it took us nearly an hour to get there and we were worried about missing the races.
Alas, we were finally approaching the race scene on the Keelung River (on the wrong side of course). Just as we got there, it started to drizzle. 30 seconds later that drizzle turned into a downpour and the races began. Weather fit for a dragon I guess. Good times indeed.
We started going over the bridge and watched the next race from a bird's eye view. We finally made our way to the proper crowd section and watched the remaining races from there.
The races themselves were alright because once they passed your area it was tough to tell who was in first and who was in last (and the finish line area was mobbed). But the event was a really cool experience. And the boats do really look like dragons. Scary!
At the conclusion of the races, we found ourselves relaxing at a nearby fountain. Suddenly, a small bear ran past us. Ok, so it wasn't a bear. But it was some sort of beardog and the way it ran was hysterical. Check out Picasa for more proof.
After the beardog incident (there was a liondog too!), we made our way back to the tent area behind where the dragon boat races were. I assumed I could get a cool souvenir there. Maybe a mini dragon boat or something. Nope. Nothing. There were plenty of vendors but no one was selling anything like that. I was disappointed.
That is, of course, until I found an even better souvenir: squid-on-a-stick. You read that correctly, squid-on-a-stick. Its exactly that. The guy grills up a whole squid, splits it open so its flat, puts a marinade and some sesame seeds on it, and that's it. And the diagnosis? Delicious. Pat had one too and thought the same thing. The best $60 NT (less than $2 US) I've spent so far. I need to find more of that stuff.
June 11, 2008
Taiwan Address!
Finally, I have a new place to call home. I'm still getting settled in but I think its going to be a great place. More to come later.
For now, here's my new address for all those who want to send greetings, care packages, or anthrax.
5F No. 90 HuangXi Street
Shilin District
Taipei, ROC
For now, here's my new address for all those who want to send greetings, care packages, or anthrax.
5F No. 90 HuangXi Street
Shilin District
Taipei, ROC
June 04, 2008
Good Eats - Beef Noodles
Yesterday I tried a real Taiwanese tradition for the first time: beef noodles. Shockingly enough, they are about as simple as they sound. Its beef and noodles in a spicy soup broth that is eaten with chopsticks and a soup spoon. Quite delicious if you ask me.
Only complaint was that the beef seemed to have a good amount of fat on it, but it was easy enough to eat around. As I finished the rest, my friend Ben told me that it wasn't fat. It was tendon. Apparently, that's considered the most tender and delicious part of the meat here.
As I stared at my bowl of leftover tendons and my empty glass of mango juice, I decided to take a pass this time. I mean, you can't eat tendons without mango juice to wash it down. That's just not right.
Btw, the beef noodle place was in the mall where I took the Pikachu picture. He's good people.
Only complaint was that the beef seemed to have a good amount of fat on it, but it was easy enough to eat around. As I finished the rest, my friend Ben told me that it wasn't fat. It was tendon. Apparently, that's considered the most tender and delicious part of the meat here.
As I stared at my bowl of leftover tendons and my empty glass of mango juice, I decided to take a pass this time. I mean, you can't eat tendons without mango juice to wash it down. That's just not right.
Btw, the beef noodle place was in the mall where I took the Pikachu picture. He's good people.
June 03, 2008
Small Earthquake? Not Quite
I guess it wasn't a small earthquake on Sunday night after all.
At least we were far enough away to only feel it a little bit.
At least we were far enough away to only feel it a little bit.
June 02, 2008
Dragons & Typhoons
I can't believe its June already. That means two things here: its officially typhoon season (yay!) and Dragon Boat Festival is coming. This year, its on Sunday, June 8 and is fast approaching.
Not sure exactly what I'll do to celebrate, but I hope to be watching dragon boat races while eating rice dumplings from the shore. Good times.
Not sure exactly what I'll do to celebrate, but I hope to be watching dragon boat races while eating rice dumplings from the shore. Good times.
Just Another Weekend
Now THAT was a weekend full of adventures. Here's a recap of the events:
Friday evening we had a big storm while I was teaching. On my walk home from the MRT it started to die down. Then I was about two blocks from the apartment and I noticed all the lights were out. Awesome, it was a blackout. So I just hung out around 7-11 and had a tall boy while I waited for the power to come back on. And a new teacher, Alex, arrived that night. Welcome to Taipei, there is no electricity!
After class on Saturday, my coworker Ben invited me out with his friends. Ben, Alex, and I met up with his friends Andy and Adam for some drinks at Roxy Jr. Very chill bar with pool and fooseball. We had the best seats in the house as we occupied a couple of comfy sofas.
After a few cocktails there, we met up with a bunch of Ben's ladyfriends (foreigners and locals alike) and went to my first KTV (a karaoke bar) called PartyWorld. There was a main room where there was karaoke but we soon got a private room for our group. It looked just like a hotel walking down the hallway. The rooms had a bunch of couches, TV, and a karaoke machine. And, of course, yours truly serenaded the ladies a few times. They were quite impressed I'm sure.
Finally, Alex and I stumbled home at 5am. Yeah, a bit crazy.
Then on Sunday, we met up with Ben and Andy and took a trip to Beitou. Beitou is a bit north of Taipei, about 20 minutes on the MRT from the city center, and is known for its hot springs. So after a long night of partying and enjoying the Taipei nightlife, we relaxed in various pools at the public baths for awhile. Good times indeed.
Afterwards, we went for my first hot pot dinner. At hot pot, you cook various meats, seafood, and veggies in a hot pot at the table. We had three flavors: tomato, a curry, and my favorite, spicy Malaysian. Very tasty meal.
So Alex and I returned home and were watching tv before calling it a night. That was, of course, until mother nature decided to bookend the big storm from Friday night with an earthquake on Sunday night. And just as we headed towards a doorway, it was over. Not to fear, it wasn't that big and the city seems unaffected from what I've seen. Nothing like the one I experienced in Peru but eventful nonetheless.
Ah yes, just another weekend in Taiwan...
Friday evening we had a big storm while I was teaching. On my walk home from the MRT it started to die down. Then I was about two blocks from the apartment and I noticed all the lights were out. Awesome, it was a blackout. So I just hung out around 7-11 and had a tall boy while I waited for the power to come back on. And a new teacher, Alex, arrived that night. Welcome to Taipei, there is no electricity!
After class on Saturday, my coworker Ben invited me out with his friends. Ben, Alex, and I met up with his friends Andy and Adam for some drinks at Roxy Jr. Very chill bar with pool and fooseball. We had the best seats in the house as we occupied a couple of comfy sofas.
After a few cocktails there, we met up with a bunch of Ben's ladyfriends (foreigners and locals alike) and went to my first KTV (a karaoke bar) called PartyWorld. There was a main room where there was karaoke but we soon got a private room for our group. It looked just like a hotel walking down the hallway. The rooms had a bunch of couches, TV, and a karaoke machine. And, of course, yours truly serenaded the ladies a few times. They were quite impressed I'm sure.
Finally, Alex and I stumbled home at 5am. Yeah, a bit crazy.
Then on Sunday, we met up with Ben and Andy and took a trip to Beitou. Beitou is a bit north of Taipei, about 20 minutes on the MRT from the city center, and is known for its hot springs. So after a long night of partying and enjoying the Taipei nightlife, we relaxed in various pools at the public baths for awhile. Good times indeed.
Afterwards, we went for my first hot pot dinner. At hot pot, you cook various meats, seafood, and veggies in a hot pot at the table. We had three flavors: tomato, a curry, and my favorite, spicy Malaysian. Very tasty meal.
So Alex and I returned home and were watching tv before calling it a night. That was, of course, until mother nature decided to bookend the big storm from Friday night with an earthquake on Sunday night. And just as we headed towards a doorway, it was over. Not to fear, it wasn't that big and the city seems unaffected from what I've seen. Nothing like the one I experienced in Peru but eventful nonetheless.
Ah yes, just another weekend in Taiwan...
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