I am outrageously tired and I have to up at 6 am to leave for work and its now SHIT 2 am so I am posting these all as one post, I might later split them up.
Have a great night.
Day 3:
Well, the day is done, I am tired and I am sligtly offended, actually my pride is a bit. Today was another busy day. the Day began like any other though it was a bit different, Breakfast, followed by our group spliting up into many mini groups. My group first went to Asukura which is the biggest Shrine 'district' in Tokyo, and I did some shopping. I picked up the requested keychains, some other cool stuff, and my own personal favorite some lucky cats. I am a huge fan of Lucky cats, my current Boss, gave me two for my computer and scanner and I swear the work got easier and they are a comforting thing to see everyday. A waving smiling cat, is so cute!
I plan to come back on Saturday, if the girls who I met this afternoon don't make plans for us, they seemed more interested in doing something on Sunday though, so I doubt there will be conflict of schedule there...
The group then went on to the 5th Avenue of Japan of which real name I do not remember Yamamoto Sensei's description of it as we walked down it was much more impressive on my mind than its name. This was followed very shortly by us going to the public park infront of the Imperial palace that you can't enter but on special days (like holidays and only with a ticket from what I understood) Then we had lunch as this neat restuarant and then ran like mad to Metro and then to the college. we were almost late, though well over half the group didn't show up. The class we sat in today was taught by one of the Professors he normally teaches MArketing classes, but as a treat to his students and us, he paired us up with two Japanese Students and had us come up with Kanji Japanese names for us. It was really cool but it seemed a bit long, I know traditional the entire Japanese name has four Kanji and my first name had six alone!
After than we split into even smaller groups and went with groups of the College girls to different locations. Charles, Chad, Trey and I went to the Electric City (Akihabyu I believe), we ended up going to a number of place including a massive Anime/Otaku store, A maid cafe and a really weird tourist stop they thought we might have wanted to go to. The MAid cafe was interesting. I spent most of it giggling with on of the girls because we both felt out of place and at the same time half interested too! YAY for nervousiness bringing people together!! After all that we went to have dinner, which was interesting. It was really good. Everyone had lots of pictures save me of course. I don't really do picture taking on this trip, didn't have a camera you see. Then Trey paid for everyone's dinner. The Feminist in me was quite offended, I felt it was Okay for him to pay for the girls dinner since they were so nice and took us around, and if Charles and Chad weren't going to say anything I was disappointed in them BUT I could not let it happen. And then He underminded my reasoning and was stumped long enough to be distracted from the subject!
Bed I need Sleep
Day 4:TOURIST DAY IN JAPAN.
basically i am wore out and am not going to write much. Today we did basically tourist stuff. We first went to our hosting Sensei's (Hero) family's Kimono Shop and tried on Kimono (if we so choose to) I tried on this pretty Yukuta that I actually bought, and then we explored the shopping area that the Shop was part of, and had lunch there. We then went to the Edo Museum, if I wasn't so tired and took pictures (I bought a camera today though Dr, Fox says I might not be able to get it Developed in the states) I would go on and on about it beauty and how amazing and confusing fun it was but I am tired, and then we went to the Sumo tornument that was going on for a few hours, I wasn't very interested though I think its because I am so tired, I think the non stop go go is starting to catch up with me today. Hopefully nothing bad will happen today.
Day 5: SOny and harley Davidson:
Today was amazing we went to Harley Davidson and Sony as the Group plus Hero Sensei. I really like Hero Sensei, he is fun to talk to, though very nervous sometimes. Harley Davidson is really not that different from any other Harley Davidson Main office, but I have only toured one other so maybe I am wrong, and Sony was amazing! They gave us a tour of their Show room and did some hands on showing of how some of the high end Professional grade equipment works WHICH WAS AWESOME!! The we had a presentation and Q&A time, I was maybe the only one who asked a question and I threw everyone for a loop, because I asked questions about marketing there professional lines not just their consumer lines, as I am actually more familar with there Professional lines than consumer lines. No one expects that from a 20 year old, only the international Marketing head knew what I was talking about when I explained why I was interested in their work.
After that we came back to the Dorm, and I took a nap. then I woke up and began writing this.. some one is knocking on my door, so I will get up.
Day 6:
Free day. I swear I will write later about today but I am so tired. basically I wanted to tell you that I went drinking with Honul and James after the Knock, it was fun. We wandered around couldn't find the restuarant James wanted us to try so we tried another, I was teased about never eating much and then they talked me into buy this really good tasting Alchoholic fruit beer which was awesome. you couldn't taste the alchohol which is god sent.
basically today I went back to Menji Shrine, and ASukura wander about both places, got lost in both places, and then meant to take a nap then ended up going with Erica and some of the group for dinner and drinks staying out until I was tired and had no money (about 9:30) then rode the Metro back to the Hotel. And am now going to sleep.
The last day:
Its the noon on the last day of the trip and I AM PISSED. Basically my attempt to stay in so I could go with the guys if they got notice that we were going to met the girls from Wednesday to go out and do something ended up getting me left behind. THOUGH i HAVE got a really good nap after that, though my throat is a bit rough I think I have allegeries going on do to the rain today bring down the pollen. I mean to write more about yesterday but there was nothing I feel like writing about or may I just can't describe it. Anyways, I have to go get ready for the tea.
LAter:
The tea was amazing I can't describe it and I need some sleep I am so tired I still have pack. and I can't find some of the stuff I packed up in taiwan and haven't touch since. AHHHHH... Night journal
MONDAY almost home:
Wow this morning was hectic in the slow oh god when will we get there type of way. We were all prepare for things to go wrong and then nothing went wrong so we spent two hours on the train platform waiting for the train we were suppose to ride to arrive. I am writing this on the plane, and I think I will take a nap and wake up later. NIghts.
I am home, and I am tired my folks are being annoying and trying to feed me. I am not sure I want food right now I just want to sleep! Let me Sleep damnit!!!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
MOre to post just have to find them.. Sorry people.
Sorry about the fact I have not posted this stuff. I am working full time, and I have been typing up these thing and then meaning to post them in big batches, because my internet is sketchy.. but then something happened to my document files and everything has been moved to different files so I am hunting them down as I type. Its a bit hard. Sorry for the issues with this.
First day in Japan
ANd we hit Japan running. Our first full day in japan began with a great brakfast. It was the all-you-can eat breakfast at the Olympic center where we were staying. Rice, eggs, salads, fruit, miso soup, and much more. And really good coffee. I love coffee. following Breakfast we had a briefing in the meeting room for the daily schedule and a lecture on being Punctuational and dressing correctly, followed by half the group going back to the room to change because they weren't dressed correctly. After the business is done, we get on the Metro, more difficult than the Taiwan subway though not much to me though I feel I was the only one who thought so, to visit the Meiji Shrine. The Meiji Shrine was erected in commemoration of the Meiji Restoration, a very important part of Japanese history as basically japan opened up trade with the rest of the world and advanced to a world power in a series of few decades what it took most of the West to do in Centuries. This Shrine is absolutely amazing. It is so beautiful. The shrine is surrounded by a large natural "reserve." I say park, but that doesn't really describe it. The area is basically a wooded area with creeks, woods with little to none of that stupid 'care' that people do to make a parks living members 'perfect', and several commemorative and decorative items interspersed. Can you tell I hate the idea of maintaining nature space! Its like having grass you can't walk bare food on. WHY DO that?!? We only got to go to the see the shrine, we didn't have enough time to go in the shrine itself. Either way, I am so glad I got to see it, and I am going to see in on Saturday again on my free day. YAY. I wonder what else I will do then?
Our second main attraction for the day was Gakoshuin University. This college is very very beautiful and with extreme security though I don't think the rest of my group noticed it at all, but it also serves as a high, middle, and elementary school or that the building are close by with a very small wall between them. This is the school where the Imperial families attend, and this college is an all women's college. Our first visit here is to get acquainted with the students as well as observe some of the cultural classes offered in the school. Which I found out is really what the school offers, Japanese culture classes, and a study of Delomatic studies that High ranking members of Japanese society need to know to work within their circles. SOunds Fishily like they are being trained to be the perfect wife for politics to me. Hey I am almost a Femist on this matter. This school has a cirriculum which incorperates a large amount of japanese history and culture. We observed the flower arranging class before for dinner with erica.
For dinner we went out with Ericka and some of her friends for a traditional Japanese meal. Ericka is a local who had come to ASU for a brief visit. She is a friend of Dr. Chen and Dr. Fox, basically she was a bit lost on campus and wanted to talk to some one who knew her language culture and got Dr. Fox from what I understood. Several of her friends are graduating soon or have graduated and are lining up big time business and marketing jobs all over the world.
Lastly, we took a stroll through the red light district, guided by Dr. Chen. Let's just say it was interesting, and I taught Dr. Chen the word Sketchy!!! Needless to say, I think that I will avoid such places at night for the rest of the trip because it was bit sketchy just because everyone was trying to get us into their shops.. Now to Bed, I feel so tired which seems stupid because I feel like I have done nothing.,
Our second main attraction for the day was Gakoshuin University. This college is very very beautiful and with extreme security though I don't think the rest of my group noticed it at all, but it also serves as a high, middle, and elementary school or that the building are close by with a very small wall between them. This is the school where the Imperial families attend, and this college is an all women's college. Our first visit here is to get acquainted with the students as well as observe some of the cultural classes offered in the school. Which I found out is really what the school offers, Japanese culture classes, and a study of Delomatic studies that High ranking members of Japanese society need to know to work within their circles. SOunds Fishily like they are being trained to be the perfect wife for politics to me. Hey I am almost a Femist on this matter. This school has a cirriculum which incorperates a large amount of japanese history and culture. We observed the flower arranging class before for dinner with erica.
For dinner we went out with Ericka and some of her friends for a traditional Japanese meal. Ericka is a local who had come to ASU for a brief visit. She is a friend of Dr. Chen and Dr. Fox, basically she was a bit lost on campus and wanted to talk to some one who knew her language culture and got Dr. Fox from what I understood. Several of her friends are graduating soon or have graduated and are lining up big time business and marketing jobs all over the world.
Lastly, we took a stroll through the red light district, guided by Dr. Chen. Let's just say it was interesting, and I taught Dr. Chen the word Sketchy!!! Needless to say, I think that I will avoid such places at night for the rest of the trip because it was bit sketchy just because everyone was trying to get us into their shops.. Now to Bed, I feel so tired which seems stupid because I feel like I have done nothing.,
Day 8 and 9: Taiwan and day of Flight.
Today is the last full day.. . So sad, I am going to my massage soon so this might be short though I didn't do much today so far, basically I went shopping, bought some soverneighs for people, and wander through a four story Dollar store. SERiously, I bought this awesome handband, and pink and white polka doted SARS mask!!! I am so going to be late, I have to find Meghan, and everyone to leave. BYE.
It was off to get our massage, and let me tell you, it was the only massage that I have ever gotten, and it was THAI, though I bet anna will say its not, as I didn't fart at the end of it. That's Anna Somokanay for you. Though I think she might be right but I'm sure that it was the best that money could buy. The massages consisted of various stretches and the massaging of every muscle and joint in my body. <- YAy for reading stuff. Also known as a form of pure body torute that was so pleasant that I can see why some people are into S and M; if its like that. 0.0 ignore that comment, it was a bit weird. The actual massage lasted two hours, but it felt more like 30 minutes. I had never been so relaxed , I honestly almost fell down after it. It started with them washing our feet and feeding us some tea and crackers, it was good. THough I have senstive feet, so I was giggling and trying not to flinch as they washed my feet. YAY no one got pictures of me like that.
I got to have clothes too, I have never got a massage because I don't like the idea of being naked in front of some one, but we were in a thin cotton PJ like pants and tee shirt set. It was amazing.
after that it was dinner!!!!!The dinner was amazing, it was four stars at the least,huge buffet style and was all you could eat and drink. I took advantage of the all you can eat mainly. I ducked out early,with Trey to try to find the nightmarket, we got lost, and got off one stop to early and found the famous food night market that Charlie had talked about. Trey went into an arecade and won himself a sheep, got more lost hoping we were in walking distact of the market, and went back caught the subway and got to the night market we were looking for, Shilin.
The interesting thing to note is that there are night markets all over Taipei that open up in the evening and go till about midnight. They sell everything you can think of, but unlike American business you can talk the vendors down in price, though some you can't like the woman selling business card holders that Trey wanted to buy. In America people get annoyed or mad if you do these things, but it is common practice in TaiPei. After I finished my tour of the night market, Trey and I returned to the hotel for the night, double checked that everything was packed for our flights tomorrow. I think that today may have been my favorite day, because I got to do lots of wandering both alone and with another person...
lets see what tomorrow's flight bring, huh?
Well, we flew, got there to the hotel, went and got curry and I want to go to sleep. Night.
It was off to get our massage, and let me tell you, it was the only massage that I have ever gotten, and it was THAI, though I bet anna will say its not, as I didn't fart at the end of it. That's Anna Somokanay for you. Though I think she might be right but I'm sure that it was the best that money could buy. The massages consisted of various stretches and the massaging of every muscle and joint in my body. <- YAy for reading stuff. Also known as a form of pure body torute that was so pleasant that I can see why some people are into S and M; if its like that. 0.0 ignore that comment, it was a bit weird. The actual massage lasted two hours, but it felt more like 30 minutes. I had never been so relaxed , I honestly almost fell down after it. It started with them washing our feet and feeding us some tea and crackers, it was good. THough I have senstive feet, so I was giggling and trying not to flinch as they washed my feet. YAY no one got pictures of me like that.
I got to have clothes too, I have never got a massage because I don't like the idea of being naked in front of some one, but we were in a thin cotton PJ like pants and tee shirt set. It was amazing.
after that it was dinner!!!!!The dinner was amazing, it was four stars at the least,huge buffet style and was all you could eat and drink. I took advantage of the all you can eat mainly. I ducked out early,with Trey to try to find the nightmarket, we got lost, and got off one stop to early and found the famous food night market that Charlie had talked about. Trey went into an arecade and won himself a sheep, got more lost hoping we were in walking distact of the market, and went back caught the subway and got to the night market we were looking for, Shilin.
The interesting thing to note is that there are night markets all over Taipei that open up in the evening and go till about midnight. They sell everything you can think of, but unlike American business you can talk the vendors down in price, though some you can't like the woman selling business card holders that Trey wanted to buy. In America people get annoyed or mad if you do these things, but it is common practice in TaiPei. After I finished my tour of the night market, Trey and I returned to the hotel for the night, double checked that everything was packed for our flights tomorrow. I think that today may have been my favorite day, because I got to do lots of wandering both alone and with another person...
lets see what tomorrow's flight bring, huh?
Well, we flew, got there to the hotel, went and got curry and I want to go to sleep. Night.
TBI and Students
Day 7: Two days left, and weird drinks.
For this leg of the journey, we went on a tour of TBI Industries, which is one of or the largest drink manufacturers in Taiwan. This company makes drinks such as a weight reducing coffee drink, tomato drink with honey, barley tea, etc. All the drinks they make are designed to promote a healthy lifestyle which is pretty cool, and some times a little weird tasting. They also make their bottles with Cold Aseptic production in their bottling process. While not the newest technology in the Western hemisphere (the tech is about ten to twenty years old I think) its a big new deal in Taiwan, TBI being the first in the country to use it and they only got it in the last few years. Also, they automate most of their production and shipping, which creates a sterile environment, and also speeds up the shipping process. They took us on a tour of how the drinks were made, but they wouldn't let us take any pictures which was a shame because some of it was pretty cool.
Our next trip was to Chung Cheng University. This was a basic get to know the other students session. the students who we were suppose to have been having email conversations with, but because we are all to shy to talk we never did. We were introduced to our 'friends' we had been assigned, and then they had the 'tea' which was bascially a late potluck like lunch, which was nice. My Friend, who's name I can't remember, talked very little, and instead did an awesome, giggle at our inability to talk to each other for a bit, before another group of students came and saved us by talking to both of us. I got interesting points for having my own pair of chopsticks in my purse. then I was distracted by Trey not realizing his sushi had plastic wrap on it, and almost choking on it. It definitely broke the ice for his group and I think at the end of the day he had about five emails/numbers. Trey is quite popular with the girls, I don't blame them at all. *-.-* After about 20 minutes, we were told to pay attentionfor an activity. Yes we were told to pay attention by this really geeky kid with interesting English. The activity turned out to be a crafts activity that elementary school kids normally do, seriously when I was a Brownie girl scout sub-leader, I taught something similar. I didn't mind since we were able to spend some more time together and not try to talk.-.-
After the activity was over, I said goodbye to my new friends whose names I can't remember, gave them pecans, got embarrassed that she was embarrassed that she didn't have a gift and didn't know what pecans were, and we went on a quick tour of the campus. The campus was very beautiful and came complete with lake with a sea monsters (Aka evil angry black geese who bit) inside of it, as well as a bridge that ruined relationships. That is the best excuse ever, why your relationship ended. ~ What happened? Why did you break up? Was it because you were cheating with XXX? - NO, I walked across the bridge on XX when I was drunk.~ LOl. Then I slept most of the way home.. I mean hotel... -.-; Don't cry at me mum when you read this.
For this leg of the journey, we went on a tour of TBI Industries, which is one of or the largest drink manufacturers in Taiwan. This company makes drinks such as a weight reducing coffee drink, tomato drink with honey, barley tea, etc. All the drinks they make are designed to promote a healthy lifestyle which is pretty cool, and some times a little weird tasting. They also make their bottles with Cold Aseptic production in their bottling process. While not the newest technology in the Western hemisphere (the tech is about ten to twenty years old I think) its a big new deal in Taiwan, TBI being the first in the country to use it and they only got it in the last few years. Also, they automate most of their production and shipping, which creates a sterile environment, and also speeds up the shipping process. They took us on a tour of how the drinks were made, but they wouldn't let us take any pictures which was a shame because some of it was pretty cool.
Our next trip was to Chung Cheng University. This was a basic get to know the other students session. the students who we were suppose to have been having email conversations with, but because we are all to shy to talk we never did. We were introduced to our 'friends' we had been assigned, and then they had the 'tea' which was bascially a late potluck like lunch, which was nice. My Friend, who's name I can't remember, talked very little, and instead did an awesome, giggle at our inability to talk to each other for a bit, before another group of students came and saved us by talking to both of us. I got interesting points for having my own pair of chopsticks in my purse. then I was distracted by Trey not realizing his sushi had plastic wrap on it, and almost choking on it. It definitely broke the ice for his group and I think at the end of the day he had about five emails/numbers. Trey is quite popular with the girls, I don't blame them at all. *-.-* After about 20 minutes, we were told to pay attentionfor an activity. Yes we were told to pay attention by this really geeky kid with interesting English. The activity turned out to be a crafts activity that elementary school kids normally do, seriously when I was a Brownie girl scout sub-leader, I taught something similar. I didn't mind since we were able to spend some more time together and not try to talk.-.-
After the activity was over, I said goodbye to my new friends whose names I can't remember, gave them pecans, got embarrassed that she was embarrassed that she didn't have a gift and didn't know what pecans were, and we went on a quick tour of the campus. The campus was very beautiful and came complete with lake with a sea monsters (Aka evil angry black geese who bit) inside of it, as well as a bridge that ruined relationships. That is the best excuse ever, why your relationship ended. ~ What happened? Why did you break up? Was it because you were cheating with XXX? - NO, I walked across the bridge on XX when I was drunk.~ LOl. Then I slept most of the way home.. I mean hotel... -.-; Don't cry at me mum when you read this.
Day 6: Taipei Tower and Meeting Students.
Day 6: Students and TAPIE 101...
Well today was another long day. we visited Joy Enterprises. Joy is responsible for providing materials and training teachers for teaching English to the people of all ages in Taiwan. Both native English Speakers and native Chinese Speakers, they have one of each teach each classes. They had us participate in a demonstration as well as the standard speeches to show us how they teach and the ideas behind their business. After wards, we got to talk to the employees of Joy Enterprises, which was fun. They gave us lots of materials that they use and their presentational stuff. It was interesting, and on our way back to the Metro to get back to the hotel to change/ get lunch, we stopped in a Dunkin' Donuts.
After that, we headed to National Taiwan University, or NTU. NTU is the Havard or Yale of college students in Taiwan. This as famous as any of the Ivy league school in America. For this, we broke off into groups and discussed a case study about Quanta computers. Basically, Quanta tried to build a $100 computer to bridge the technological gap in poorer countries, and failed to meet the hundred dollar goal. We were tasked with discussing whether the computer would actually work, and if it would damage sales of normal computers. The discussion between students at least in my group wasn't very aggressive, but the professor was quite aggressive in attacking any Students reasoning. I sparred back.
After that they gave a short Calligraphy lession/demonstration, I have a lovely piece of Art that says Green warm and Fuzzy in Chinese. It was interesting to explain this to both my classmates and the NTU students, why this is important to me.
After wards, Trey, Charles, and I were shown around Taiwan by one of the students at NTU, Derrik. Derrik is a really cool guy and quite cute. ^.^ He took us out to eat some of the local foods. We went to two different restuarants, I ate at the first one, but was quite full and just watched the other eat at the other. Then Derrick took us to a five story bookstore,yes, I do mean a bookstore that's five stories tall and architurely was quite pretty. It had every book on every subject in half a dozen languages at the very least. Trey and I bought gift wrap for your presents for students we meet tomorrow.
Derrik then took us to Taipei 101 which is the tallest building in the world, counting on who you talk to on what day of the week, at 101 stories tall. We went up to the top floor that they would let us go to, which was the 91st floor I believe. The view was amazing, the fact that we went at night made it all the better because we could see all of the lights in the buildings, though I would have liked to come back up during the day and been able to see some of the nature landmarks of Taipei. After that we parted ways and I came to write this mess. I have really bad handwriting. Seriously, my notes from yesterday are barely readable.
Well today was another long day. we visited Joy Enterprises. Joy is responsible for providing materials and training teachers for teaching English to the people of all ages in Taiwan. Both native English Speakers and native Chinese Speakers, they have one of each teach each classes. They had us participate in a demonstration as well as the standard speeches to show us how they teach and the ideas behind their business. After wards, we got to talk to the employees of Joy Enterprises, which was fun. They gave us lots of materials that they use and their presentational stuff. It was interesting, and on our way back to the Metro to get back to the hotel to change/ get lunch, we stopped in a Dunkin' Donuts.
After that, we headed to National Taiwan University, or NTU. NTU is the Havard or Yale of college students in Taiwan. This as famous as any of the Ivy league school in America. For this, we broke off into groups and discussed a case study about Quanta computers. Basically, Quanta tried to build a $100 computer to bridge the technological gap in poorer countries, and failed to meet the hundred dollar goal. We were tasked with discussing whether the computer would actually work, and if it would damage sales of normal computers. The discussion between students at least in my group wasn't very aggressive, but the professor was quite aggressive in attacking any Students reasoning. I sparred back.
After that they gave a short Calligraphy lession/demonstration, I have a lovely piece of Art that says Green warm and Fuzzy in Chinese. It was interesting to explain this to both my classmates and the NTU students, why this is important to me.
After wards, Trey, Charles, and I were shown around Taiwan by one of the students at NTU, Derrik. Derrik is a really cool guy and quite cute. ^.^ He took us out to eat some of the local foods. We went to two different restuarants, I ate at the first one, but was quite full and just watched the other eat at the other. Then Derrick took us to a five story bookstore,yes, I do mean a bookstore that's five stories tall and architurely was quite pretty. It had every book on every subject in half a dozen languages at the very least. Trey and I bought gift wrap for your presents for students we meet tomorrow.
Derrik then took us to Taipei 101 which is the tallest building in the world, counting on who you talk to on what day of the week, at 101 stories tall. We went up to the top floor that they would let us go to, which was the 91st floor I believe. The view was amazing, the fact that we went at night made it all the better because we could see all of the lights in the buildings, though I would have liked to come back up during the day and been able to see some of the nature landmarks of Taipei. After that we parted ways and I came to write this mess. I have really bad handwriting. Seriously, my notes from yesterday are barely readable.
Day 5: Being a Tourist
Day Five: BEING A tourist
Well today was all about being a tourist. We went to the Presidental Office of Taiwan and had a guide who's had never given the spillin English only in Germany so it was quite hard to understand, and he seemed as though he wasn't fond of his government as many tour guides in the US seemed to be required to be. After that we got lunch on our own, that was fun. I wander about the streets found out which out door stand food looked the best, and smelt good and then like a stalker watched other people order food, before following their leads, and without saying a word ordered my food. I got a paper lunch box with fried rice, some kind of cooked greens, and a fried egg. It was really really good. After that we got, bubble tea. It was quite... I didn't like it, and discussed the Quatnum case that we would talk with students about with tomorrow. That was really eye opening. It was a completely unique way to do reading comprehendion I have never done before.
After that we went to a formal Karoke bar, it wasn't as fun, though everyone not wanting to sing but just drink while I was there wasn't much fun. though once I left with Meredith did the party liven up and people started drinking. Mainly I think because they were drunk. After that I wander off from the hotel to find food, had a great talk with a random woman while being completely lost five miles from the hotel, and then found a park. It was my kind of fun. I love to wander, see everything, talk to random people for a bit about their lives as we walk. I never have cared much for drinking and formal plans. I like to have a plan mainly so I can let the plan to go to Hell, and I swear when you have plans you find interest stuff to distract you more often than if you are plan-less.
I need some sleep, and I need to make plans about what I want to say to people when I get back to the US. SO much to do. Night ^.^
Well today was all about being a tourist. We went to the Presidental Office of Taiwan and had a guide who's had never given the spillin English only in Germany so it was quite hard to understand, and he seemed as though he wasn't fond of his government as many tour guides in the US seemed to be required to be. After that we got lunch on our own, that was fun. I wander about the streets found out which out door stand food looked the best, and smelt good and then like a stalker watched other people order food, before following their leads, and without saying a word ordered my food. I got a paper lunch box with fried rice, some kind of cooked greens, and a fried egg. It was really really good. After that we got, bubble tea. It was quite... I didn't like it, and discussed the Quatnum case that we would talk with students about with tomorrow. That was really eye opening. It was a completely unique way to do reading comprehendion I have never done before.
After that we went to a formal Karoke bar, it wasn't as fun, though everyone not wanting to sing but just drink while I was there wasn't much fun. though once I left with Meredith did the party liven up and people started drinking. Mainly I think because they were drunk. After that I wander off from the hotel to find food, had a great talk with a random woman while being completely lost five miles from the hotel, and then found a park. It was my kind of fun. I love to wander, see everything, talk to random people for a bit about their lives as we walk. I never have cared much for drinking and formal plans. I like to have a plan mainly so I can let the plan to go to Hell, and I swear when you have plans you find interest stuff to distract you more often than if you are plan-less.
I need some sleep, and I need to make plans about what I want to say to people when I get back to the US. SO much to do. Night ^.^
Day 4 _ Love hotels, and so much more...
Day Four: taiwan
TODAY WAS Super long. Seriously super long. I am drunk right now so I apologize to the me of three days from now trying to read this, the handwriting will suck. Its perfectly legal in Taiwan, and I am not drunk just really tired and having half of a coke and Rum shot down my throat all of twenty minutes ago. I felt bad if I didn't drink it all, so I basically shot it down. YAY for stupid decisions. I should be drunker, but I have a high tolerate. SHHHH don't tell anyone this. It takes a lot to get me drunk and I have to be plastered to get mean. Shhhh...
What happened to day? Well the day started off with a really really long drive to the Gaint Bike company, which was a quite boring event to say the best. They were not really prepared for us to ask intelligent questions, or to have any real knowledge of the biking world. My questions about their marketing for lifestyle (basically bikes meant for daily travel) in the U.S. They seemed confused. They gave me a spill about mountian bikes marketing instead. OH well. The interesting parts of the day occurred after. Starting with Lunch... I really don't know what to say about Lunch. It was amazing, scary, interesting, and both delisous and disgusting all at the same time. OHHH and I had Mochi, strawberry Mochi for the first time. OH my god I love the stuff. There was so much stuff and I can only remember some of it. There was the first course of Six, of which I remember the really yum salad with squid and raw shrimp in it. That was good. I remember the Chicken soup with the chicken spurs in it. turns out Spurs turn black when you cook them, who KNEW? It was quite unappealing and then there was lots and lots of more food, but those where the ones that stood out.
That was followed by stopping off at this Saxaphone/jazz museum in the same town, where the first Taiwanese Saxaphone and one of the most famous Saxaphone companies in the world began. It was pretty cool, we met one of the granddaughters of the maker of the first Taiwanese Saxaphone who is one of four, that are world famous as a quartet. She played with Meghan who as a Music major had learned the Saxaphone last semester. I was much more impressed with Meghan than I was witht the Famous woman. Meghan played for us six plus songs, most of them songs that you don't learn until you have beenplaying for years at school on an instrustment she had learned to play for a few weeks!!!! that is impressive. Though anyone brave enough to teach, much less music has already impressed me. I don't see how you can do it.
This was followed by going to a Winery. I wasn't impressed much by the wine, tastes like a few of the cheap local wines, that just barely created alchohol taste, I have had in the US, maybe a bit sweeter in a weird way, but not very interesting; Though I found the winery and its processi quite interesting. I actually liked the Grape juice they served after the wine tasting much better. It was sweet in that weird way, but very very smooth and had a pleasant lingering favor.
That was followed by a love hotel, yes we went to a love hotel. That was... interesting? We had a private under the room garage so we would have ultimate privatice, we got the largest room they had, with a pool, spa, hot tub and large screen TV, a King sized bed, a number of chaises, and massage chair. Very interesting. We were all there by the way, nothing sketchy. Some of us did Karoke, we swam and general hung out for three hours, then head back to the hotel, and then some of us, maybe sixteen of us(?) went out to go clubbing. That failed, because you have to have real shoes (not flipflops) and had to have long pants and or skirts on. NO shorts allowed, so we ended up at a empty bar save us and playing pool and talking. It was fun. Danny and ANdrea started making out and left quite early. ^.- I hope it doesn't haunt her or us later. They both seemed a bit drunk. I think it will be alright though
and then I rode back to the hotel with some people... and am writing this, its four am now, damn it. I need some sleep. NIGHt ^.^
TODAY WAS Super long. Seriously super long. I am drunk right now so I apologize to the me of three days from now trying to read this, the handwriting will suck. Its perfectly legal in Taiwan, and I am not drunk just really tired and having half of a coke and Rum shot down my throat all of twenty minutes ago. I felt bad if I didn't drink it all, so I basically shot it down. YAY for stupid decisions. I should be drunker, but I have a high tolerate. SHHHH don't tell anyone this. It takes a lot to get me drunk and I have to be plastered to get mean. Shhhh...
What happened to day? Well the day started off with a really really long drive to the Gaint Bike company, which was a quite boring event to say the best. They were not really prepared for us to ask intelligent questions, or to have any real knowledge of the biking world. My questions about their marketing for lifestyle (basically bikes meant for daily travel) in the U.S. They seemed confused. They gave me a spill about mountian bikes marketing instead. OH well. The interesting parts of the day occurred after. Starting with Lunch... I really don't know what to say about Lunch. It was amazing, scary, interesting, and both delisous and disgusting all at the same time. OHHH and I had Mochi, strawberry Mochi for the first time. OH my god I love the stuff. There was so much stuff and I can only remember some of it. There was the first course of Six, of which I remember the really yum salad with squid and raw shrimp in it. That was good. I remember the Chicken soup with the chicken spurs in it. turns out Spurs turn black when you cook them, who KNEW? It was quite unappealing and then there was lots and lots of more food, but those where the ones that stood out.
That was followed by stopping off at this Saxaphone/jazz museum in the same town, where the first Taiwanese Saxaphone and one of the most famous Saxaphone companies in the world began. It was pretty cool, we met one of the granddaughters of the maker of the first Taiwanese Saxaphone who is one of four, that are world famous as a quartet. She played with Meghan who as a Music major had learned the Saxaphone last semester. I was much more impressed with Meghan than I was witht the Famous woman. Meghan played for us six plus songs, most of them songs that you don't learn until you have beenplaying for years at school on an instrustment she had learned to play for a few weeks!!!! that is impressive. Though anyone brave enough to teach, much less music has already impressed me. I don't see how you can do it.
This was followed by going to a Winery. I wasn't impressed much by the wine, tastes like a few of the cheap local wines, that just barely created alchohol taste, I have had in the US, maybe a bit sweeter in a weird way, but not very interesting; Though I found the winery and its processi quite interesting. I actually liked the Grape juice they served after the wine tasting much better. It was sweet in that weird way, but very very smooth and had a pleasant lingering favor.
That was followed by a love hotel, yes we went to a love hotel. That was... interesting? We had a private under the room garage so we would have ultimate privatice, we got the largest room they had, with a pool, spa, hot tub and large screen TV, a King sized bed, a number of chaises, and massage chair. Very interesting. We were all there by the way, nothing sketchy. Some of us did Karoke, we swam and general hung out for three hours, then head back to the hotel, and then some of us, maybe sixteen of us(?) went out to go clubbing. That failed, because you have to have real shoes (not flipflops) and had to have long pants and or skirts on. NO shorts allowed, so we ended up at a empty bar save us and playing pool and talking. It was fun. Danny and ANdrea started making out and left quite early. ^.- I hope it doesn't haunt her or us later. They both seemed a bit drunk. I think it will be alright though
and then I rode back to the hotel with some people... and am writing this, its four am now, damn it. I need some sleep. NIGHt ^.^
Day 3 Taiwan - The Spa
Day Three: Taiwan
WE WENT TO THE SPA!!! Actually it was a Hot Springs.. but still it was amazing.
Did I mention that I like water? I don't really know how to describe it, beyond it was amazing, out doors. Actually I do, and will describe it. YAY for contradicting sentences! It was far out from the city of Taipei but not as far as the beach, and we stopped on the way at a shopping area with lots of pottery, did some shopping and made potter, but I will talk about that later, so I am not sure how long it took us to get there. we changed into our bathing suits, and then walked out to the outdoor spas.We only went into one 'set' of 'springs' which were pools with different types of water each with 'special' properties that are suppose to help the body in one way. There was salt water, different temperature ones, ones with high 03 contents and ones with jets meant to massage you. Charlie said we will get massages at the end of the week. I am excited. back on topic we go. My personal masochist favorite was the ice cold water one, at a mere two degrees Celsius it was killer, you couldn't breath, then you had a little pain, and finally you went numb. It was amazing. And you could feel your blood flowing better after that, and you felt like you could run forever and not feel pain for the first five minutes after it.That was tons of fun and I also broke half out of my little, the world is safer if you don't know or care about any one else shell.
On to the earlier events of the day before the spa. we stopped at first at a pottery museum that would let you make pottery but Charlie must have got some information wrong, because they were closed on Mondays. wow its Monday only? It still hurts my head, I feel so comfy in Taiwan that I feel like I have been here longer... So then we hopped back on the bus and headed to a long street with lots of handcraft stores, most being pottery, and or woodcraft stores. I bought two tea cups and another food bowl. I think I am beginning to hit the point were I have a collection of the them. I got all three in the is dark green with a rusty/earthy red undertone, with some tree fruit on them. Its really pretty, while Charlie was looking for a place that might allow customers to make their own pottery if they wished. Charlie being Charlie found one, and we went off to do that. we each got to make two pieces, one on the pottery wheels, and one on the tables, and we got to keep one of them, the company was going to fire and glaze them and we will get them later. I made a bowl or I should say the guy who was helping made the bowl after he decided my bowl was too crooked and I wouldn't want it. I was a bit annoyed. I also made a frog. I kept the frog, its not really really pretty but I like it a lot.
I woke up late, and apologized to jake for being an evil bitch the night before. I was a little sun burned but a lot of sun poisoned it seemed. Didn't have breakfast. So life failed a bit this morning.
Well, I am going off to find food and see what there is to do, I wrote this up while I was drying my hair. I really wished I could find an adapter for my computer plug so I can charge it. If anything so I can type this all up, because I am not sure if I will have time when I get back to do so.
WE WENT TO THE SPA!!! Actually it was a Hot Springs.. but still it was amazing.
Did I mention that I like water? I don't really know how to describe it, beyond it was amazing, out doors. Actually I do, and will describe it. YAY for contradicting sentences! It was far out from the city of Taipei but not as far as the beach, and we stopped on the way at a shopping area with lots of pottery, did some shopping and made potter, but I will talk about that later, so I am not sure how long it took us to get there. we changed into our bathing suits, and then walked out to the outdoor spas.We only went into one 'set' of 'springs' which were pools with different types of water each with 'special' properties that are suppose to help the body in one way. There was salt water, different temperature ones, ones with high 03 contents and ones with jets meant to massage you. Charlie said we will get massages at the end of the week. I am excited. back on topic we go. My personal masochist favorite was the ice cold water one, at a mere two degrees Celsius it was killer, you couldn't breath, then you had a little pain, and finally you went numb. It was amazing. And you could feel your blood flowing better after that, and you felt like you could run forever and not feel pain for the first five minutes after it.That was tons of fun and I also broke half out of my little, the world is safer if you don't know or care about any one else shell.
On to the earlier events of the day before the spa. we stopped at first at a pottery museum that would let you make pottery but Charlie must have got some information wrong, because they were closed on Mondays. wow its Monday only? It still hurts my head, I feel so comfy in Taiwan that I feel like I have been here longer... So then we hopped back on the bus and headed to a long street with lots of handcraft stores, most being pottery, and or woodcraft stores. I bought two tea cups and another food bowl. I think I am beginning to hit the point were I have a collection of the them. I got all three in the is dark green with a rusty/earthy red undertone, with some tree fruit on them. Its really pretty, while Charlie was looking for a place that might allow customers to make their own pottery if they wished. Charlie being Charlie found one, and we went off to do that. we each got to make two pieces, one on the pottery wheels, and one on the tables, and we got to keep one of them, the company was going to fire and glaze them and we will get them later. I made a bowl or I should say the guy who was helping made the bowl after he decided my bowl was too crooked and I wouldn't want it. I was a bit annoyed. I also made a frog. I kept the frog, its not really really pretty but I like it a lot.
I woke up late, and apologized to jake for being an evil bitch the night before. I was a little sun burned but a lot of sun poisoned it seemed. Didn't have breakfast. So life failed a bit this morning.
Well, I am going off to find food and see what there is to do, I wrote this up while I was drying my hair. I really wished I could find an adapter for my computer plug so I can charge it. If anything so I can type this all up, because I am not sure if I will have time when I get back to do so.
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