FAILED DESTINATION

by Ngozi Fuller on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 7:23pm

Today I began my day very late and fully aware of the fact that a typhoon was headed for this little island of Taiwan. However I was determined to get out of my apartment. I made my breakfast of coffee and toast, turned on the Stuff Your Mom Never told You podcast and began planning my exploration. First stop would be the childrens museum. According to lonely planet it was sure to bring out the child in me. "I could surely use a break from being an adult.". Then the the Story House and the Taipei Astrnomical Museum. I would end this day of cultural exploration with a trip to the night market, which was on the way home. Yes this day would be full of cultural fun. However that was not the case. As planned, I took the train to shillin station asked for directions to my first destination and walked around th corner. I was amazed to see the mountain hovering over the buildings, so close it seemed as if I could touch them. I pulled out my camera and began snapping. Before I knew it I looked up and there was an antique rattan furniture store. After taking a peek around and chatting with the little old lady about the Taiwan president, why she liked Taiwan people better(they are the friendliest in Asia, and I agree), why when someone makes a huge mess of their lives, relationship, house ect. It is called "Bushing"( after the mess BUSH made during his presidency) and, how when she was a child her parents moved to the U.S. in fear of the government at the Time, I walked across the street and into the Chiang Kai-Shek Botanical Gardens. The Gardens are AMAZING. After two hours I strolled along the narrow back streets and wandered into a tiny, quaint book store called "Whose Books" and found PAULO CUELHO's eleven minutes for mere pennies. Later I sat in another tiny space perfect for a hidden coffee house, and enjoyed a bileys coffee, hummus and pesto spread. Now books spread on the table coffee cup empty, I am writting this note. And this my friends is why I love to travel. I never made it to any of my planned destinations but my day of joyful exploration was spontaneously perfect.