Arrival

"Glistening clean. Paint thinner." The first words in my journal to capture my initial impressions of Taiwan. At least the terminal we arrived at. The airport was by far the cleanest I've ever seen. The floors sparkled. The amount of cleansers needed to keep it that away definitely did not escape the senses. The airport felt small; we moved efficiently through customs, baggage claim, and with a little assitance found the bus terminal. If the 13 plus hour flight hadn't been enough, we next had to take a bus two or so hours to Taichung where we were picked up by Gerald, the director of the English school at Berhan. Another 30 minute van ride, with our bags as our seats, we reached the school in Feng Yuan. It was a little after 1 AM local time.

"Stiff but good." The description of my mattress on the room inspection forms we filled out the next day. Stiff is an understatement. I love it! It reminds me of being in Fiji, sleeping on the floor. I just need my wood pillow again! Wednesday morning, from the roof of the four-story school building, I took in my new surroundings for the first time under the light of day. Cramped, dirty buildings of cement and cinder block. Cacophonous cicadas. Oppressive heat and a mugginess you can mold. Further into town and the stores and businesses become dressed in a sea of chinese characters, rendering the entire scene utterly alien. Every corner appears the same. Every other corner offers a pugnant smell you'd rather not be offered. Bikes and pedestrians compete with scooters, motorcycles, and cars for space on the streets. My first impressions of Taiwan.