Fall Break

 

Yep, you read it right. Fall break.... just what it sounds like- it's fall and we are taking a break. In fact, today (10/10) is a national holiday- Double Ten. It is equivalent to America's July 4. But before you get too jealous, my teacher friends, remember we started school August 13!

 Morrison teachers are taking advantage of this week long holiday. Several are with the swim team in the Philippines while others have traveled to other Asian destinations- Malaysia and Indonesia. Most, however, are traveling within Taiwan.. The most popular destination by far is Kenting- the beach town on the most southern tip of the island. Owning a car is a practical necessity of traveling that far south.

Since we own a scooter, not a car, Kenting was not a feasible choice.  I have seen families of four on one scooter but the children are usually young and still small, unlike our family of three teenagers and one preteen. But I will admit sitting on a sun-kissed beach would have helped my hyperactive stress levels.

Another factor dominated our travel decisions- an expiring passport. So instead of going south, we went north, north to the largest city in Taiwan- Taipei.

Early Monday morning, five of us (Nick decided to stay home) left our apartment and walked a mile to the closest bus station. We boarded the bus and traveled about two hours to the main bus station in Taipei. And how, you ask, do you do that in a foreign country where you have a minimal understanding on the language? Well, you first thank Jesus that the Chinese schools start teachimg English before their students become teens. Then you pick the brains of those who have lived here longer, or even better yet, those who were born here. And when all else fails, you stop and ask a stranger.

Carl mainly relies on the second of the above listed. I, on the other hand, largely rely on the second. which only works, may I add, due to the first.

A friend, Ling-En, helped us buy our tickets Saturday afternoon from the closest 7-11 (yeah, they're everywhere). The kiosk was all in Chinese so her help was a necessity! Scott and Jennifer Finch, Morrison teachers at the Taipei campus and great friends, met us at the end of our bus trip. The MRT (subway) carried us closer to our overnight accomendations- the Southern Baptist Guest House.

                                         There were many options on how to spend the day!                      

 Our first stop was at the Taiwan equivalent to the Washington Memorial. We just happened to arrive ten minutes before the combined forces of the Army, Navy, and Air Force began their dress rehearsal for the Double Ten celebration. Perfect timing!

 Next stop- Taipei 101. Once the tallest building in the world, it now proudly holds second place. For this short country girl, even though my eyes beheld it, it still seems quite impossible that such a tall building could actually remain standing! Although we would have loved to, we didn't go to the top. 

We did, however, partake of another marvel. Along with Tim and Grace Heebner (long time friends, also newly hired at Morrison), and the Finches (new in time but old in heart friends), we experienced a tantalizing taste bud extravaganza! Which by the way, may be the world's tallest dessert!

Three scoops vanilla ice cream sprinkled with a handful of chopped pecans, topped with a mountain of fluffy cotton candy.... wait, I'm not done yet.....

followed by, after the chorus of ooohs and aaaahs, a cup of espresso  drizzled over it all. Sounds odd, weird, off beat....

                                               But your tastebuds will have a different opinion!

 Just ask Abbi! All the other teens were left behind at a food court. She was the only one who chose to try the adult choice of dessert! Lucky girl. Lucky,  that is, that her mother didn't snatch the bowl away and scream, "It's Mine" !

The next morning was spent drowning in govermental hoop jumping! By the way, if you ever need passport pictures, do NOT get them taken in Taiwan. Someone (the goverment? the photographers?) has an obsession with ears. Your ears MUST be showing in any official photo. As a result, I am stuck with the all time worse passport photo, ever, for the next ten years!

After our American experience on Taiwan soil, back to sightseeing! This time we traveled on an above ground train to the Maokong Gondolas. This inexpensive but quite amazing trip took us up and over several mountain tops. At the end was a village of tea farms.

                                         Jacob laying down on the clear floor of our gondola!

                                                     The view from the restaurant.

                                            Scott made us traditional tea among the tea fields.
                                                    (Ann, if you ever visit, we got to do this!)

 

Pizza for supper. A subway ride, a long underground walk, and finally back to a bus station- just in time to catch the sold out 10pm bus. At midnight, we made the mile long walk back to our apartment!Two days, 48 hours--- it was good to be back in Taichung. Home sweet home!