Taiwan Synopsis
I can't think of a more difficult thing to do than to write up a synopsis of my one year and 8 months I have spent in Taiwan. Taiwan is a place that is bursting at the seams! it's full of people, color, scooters, flowers, greeness, noise, temples. It's on the brink of changes as the old generation fades away and the new generation tries to blend the two together.
I had the preconceived idea that most foreigners do when they arrive to exoitc Taiwan. Tropical island, great beaches, lots of fun in the sun and that pineapples grown on trees. For as long as I live I will never forget how those thoughts were gone in a blink of an eye. I was standing on Jhongshan Loo in the middle of chaos and it took all the courage I had to hold back the tears for America. I had remind myself that I came here to challenge myself and grow into a more worldly person. So I picked up my bags and knew I could handle anything that came my way. And... I would be able to do this because of the most amazing gift Taiwan has given me and that is the people that have come into my life.
When deciding to leave Iowa all I could fantasize about was all the amazing things I would be able to see and do. I never! Not once! thought I would meet some of my most treasured friends. Canadians, Brits, Japanese, Vietnamemese, Israli, South African, Kiwis, Taiwanese and fellow Americans. They have brought millions of smiles across my face, lots of adventures and plenty of shoulders to cry on. It's been the first time since I was 12 years old that I have had connections like this , so natural. As English teachers, we have 3 things in common. 1. is that we can actually understand each other 2. we all have adventurous spirits and 3. for one reason or another we all choose to come to Taiwan. Being surrounded by people with the same innate spirit of discovery is truly a profound experience. We all have the energy, initiative and easy going attitude to hop onto scooters to chase waterfalls, climb about in gorges, eat crazy food, camp and just experience and see what there is to see in a foreign land.
Though I am ready to leave Taiwan, there are many things I will miss. I will miss riding my bike among the rice paddies and up the mountains. I will miss the old pineapple farmers walking along the highway after a long day in the field. I will miss the beauty of Nantou County, Gao Shan Cha, maugie, the woman who hems my pants, the ability to buy fresh fruits and veggies for a week for less than $15 USD, pineapple season, mango season (the list could go on and on with Taiwan snacks!). I will miss my scooter and the freedom it has given me in this life. I will miss the glow of red lanterns, the rainbow Tao temples, and the time I have had to discover myself through hours of painting and listening to music.
I will definiltiy miss the sharing of cultures through class discussions with my students. Through them, I've able to receive the true Taiwan spirit. They've showed me what lies beneath the frustrating traffic, polluted air and the bin laden stains that cover the ground. They've showed me passion towards family, diligence in studies, how to treat a guest like a king, willingness and excitement to learn a second language. They've also taught me how to work hard, how to make a dollar holler and the best way to relax after a long stressful week, by heading to the spa and getting a real long massage!
Taiwan has changed my life forever. I have learned many lessons in my life that I won't discover until years down the road. It's made my life richer, my eyes and mind more open and it has taught me to love in ways I thought were not possible. It is truly "La Isla de Formosa" and Taiwan has truly touched my heart.
I had the preconceived idea that most foreigners do when they arrive to exoitc Taiwan. Tropical island, great beaches, lots of fun in the sun and that pineapples grown on trees. For as long as I live I will never forget how those thoughts were gone in a blink of an eye. I was standing on Jhongshan Loo in the middle of chaos and it took all the courage I had to hold back the tears for America. I had remind myself that I came here to challenge myself and grow into a more worldly person. So I picked up my bags and knew I could handle anything that came my way. And... I would be able to do this because of the most amazing gift Taiwan has given me and that is the people that have come into my life.
When deciding to leave Iowa all I could fantasize about was all the amazing things I would be able to see and do. I never! Not once! thought I would meet some of my most treasured friends. Canadians, Brits, Japanese, Vietnamemese, Israli, South African, Kiwis, Taiwanese and fellow Americans. They have brought millions of smiles across my face, lots of adventures and plenty of shoulders to cry on. It's been the first time since I was 12 years old that I have had connections like this , so natural. As English teachers, we have 3 things in common. 1. is that we can actually understand each other 2. we all have adventurous spirits and 3. for one reason or another we all choose to come to Taiwan. Being surrounded by people with the same innate spirit of discovery is truly a profound experience. We all have the energy, initiative and easy going attitude to hop onto scooters to chase waterfalls, climb about in gorges, eat crazy food, camp and just experience and see what there is to see in a foreign land.
Though I am ready to leave Taiwan, there are many things I will miss. I will miss riding my bike among the rice paddies and up the mountains. I will miss the old pineapple farmers walking along the highway after a long day in the field. I will miss the beauty of Nantou County, Gao Shan Cha, maugie, the woman who hems my pants, the ability to buy fresh fruits and veggies for a week for less than $15 USD, pineapple season, mango season (the list could go on and on with Taiwan snacks!). I will miss my scooter and the freedom it has given me in this life. I will miss the glow of red lanterns, the rainbow Tao temples, and the time I have had to discover myself through hours of painting and listening to music.
I will definiltiy miss the sharing of cultures through class discussions with my students. Through them, I've able to receive the true Taiwan spirit. They've showed me what lies beneath the frustrating traffic, polluted air and the bin laden stains that cover the ground. They've showed me passion towards family, diligence in studies, how to treat a guest like a king, willingness and excitement to learn a second language. They've also taught me how to work hard, how to make a dollar holler and the best way to relax after a long stressful week, by heading to the spa and getting a real long massage!
Taiwan has changed my life forever. I have learned many lessons in my life that I won't discover until years down the road. It's made my life richer, my eyes and mind more open and it has taught me to love in ways I thought were not possible. It is truly "La Isla de Formosa" and Taiwan has truly touched my heart.
