TAIWAN UPDATE

by Ngozi Fuller on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 9:19pm

Ok, I'm not sure if I mentioned it but, imagine a what's it's like to be in a sauna. Now imagine living in one. That is what the weather here is like. Seriously, it's sticky moist heat. So, when you come to visit me bring lots of cool and airy clothes. There is a lot to get use to here, like the random smell of stinky tofu( aged tofu that has a rancid smell, deep fried and eaten). If you are however vegitarian, that may be all there is as the main dish here is MEAT! Everything has meat in it and any other way will cost a little more. That's so far, once I'm here for a while I'm sure finding veggie will be easier so, plan on spending a little more if you are veggie and you want to come for a visit.
Moving on, scooters, everyone rides scooters. There is nearly 1 scooter per person living in Taipei on the road now. It's intersting to watch them line-up at the red lights because they look like mo-ped biker gangs( photos to come). Also the helmets are very trendy and colorful. If you are going to live in Taiwan as a teacher or other, you will want a scooter. So, make sure you come with an international license ir lerners permit. That will make it easier to get a license to drive one once you've taken the scooter test ( see utube for example of Taiwan scooter test).

Taiwan also I'm finding isn't the cheaper shopping city I thought it would be. Prices are very comparable to those in the states. Mostly everything can be bought here just not necessarily cheaper. I find that while a cab is cheap jewlery isn't. I'm paying the same price for toiletries if not a little more for my fav brand. School supplies(highlighters, pens, stickies ect) are about the same so if you can get it at the dollar store and bring it with you.

Housing: apartments are very cheap and right now i am in the stage of getting my apartmen and barganing the price. Rent is cheap but, make sure what ever price you get you bargan a few 1000.00NT (New Taiwan $) down as the price has been inflated for visitors.
All and all I am finding the people here to be very nice and welcoming. I often get a lot of stares and the occassional look of awe but I also get free beer from the guy a the 7:11, (they have them everywhere here), and randomly another guy came up to me in the hotel lobby at 2am in the morning and gave me a bag full of snacks and more beer. Everything is random and that's what is so awesome. You never know what can happen next.

That's all for now. I must go and study my teachers training but I will keep you posted. I've been training since I got here.