Saturday, October 19, 2013

Taipei, Taiwan - My Home

As I finish my eighth week, here in Occidental College, I just started to feel the need to express something.  Also, the photos below, are all mine that I have taken over my years back home.

When people ask where I'm from, I respond:
"Taiwan, you know, the best non-country country in the world!"
Then they proceed to ask me, "well, what do you miss?"
I pause, and think...now, that's a tough question.

I miss the food.
You know, the abundance of white rice, the different flavors, the "interesting parts" like 豬腸.
Or, the unhealthy stuff like fried chicken and stinky tofu and 滷肉飯.

I miss the weather.
You know, the fact that it can change instantly, the sunny humid days, the 颱風's.
Or, the cool dry winters that make you forgot for that one instant that it is humid in like 3 months.

I miss Taipei.
You know, the taxi drivers who don't give a *#&@ about pedestrians, the non-effective police, the 夜市's.
Or, the fact that Taipei is really small and not spread out like freaking LA is.

I miss 711.
You know, the convenience of having everything, the snacks, the "歡迎光臨" and "謝謝光臨".
Or, the fact that I can go anywhere and find one instantly without having to walk forever.

I miss the trash collector songs, effective public transportation, safe neighborhoods.

But most importantly, I miss my family, my friends, my past.  Coming to this new place was and still is, a bit difficult.  Chinese food here (for the most part) is Panda Express.  珍珠奶茶 is called Boba?!

The thing is, it will take time.  While this place will probably not replace Taiwan for me, it will be my home for a couple more years.