Basic Introductions

Thursday, 19 February 2009

Today was filled with “crash course on Taiwan” types of activities:  A trip to the grocery store, the acquisition of a sim card (harder than it should be), a cursory walk around the neighborhood to check out restaurants…you know, first day stuff. Most of the travel literature I read before coming said things like ‘Oh don’t worry, most people will speak English! You’ll be fine!”  I am here to tell you that those are LIES.  I’m not one of those ugly American travelers that expect everyone in the world to speak English or anything, but HOLY CRAP am I ever in over my head!  So far, I have resorted to drawing circles on a map and handing said map to the cab driver who in turn looks at me with what can only be described as ‘polite confusion.’  I know ABSOLUTELY NO CHINESE.  None.  Not even a little.  Ok, I take that back, I know the word for ‘thank you’ compliments of the Gilmore Girls.  Starting tomorrow I am on my own to do things like get food and purchase supplies.  Also, I must successfully get from the hospital to Julenna’s flat every night and that makes me more than a little nervous, I’m not going to lie.  The one bright ray of hope is that I have managed to successfully secure a sim card, which as of yesterday, did not look like it was going to be a possibility since one must have residency papers to purchase a phone in this country.  So now, when I get lost, I can call someone and tell him or her that I am lost.  Not that anyone I know will actually be able to help me get unlost, but at least I will be able to communicate just how lost I am and that is something.

On a more positive and hopeful note, I had a very impressive lunch today comprised of a ‘hot pot’ and several raw meaty looking products.  It was sort of like fondue with an Asian twist.  The hot pot consisted of a spicy Thai broth on one side and coconut milk on the other and the raw meaty products could be cooked on either side.  I was also introduced to tofu skins.  They have a texture which I can only describe as rubbery bread, but they taste pretty good. Just to make sure everyone knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am indeed a tourist, I decided to take photos of everything I ate.  I’m breaking my traveling rules, left and right!  So Internet, without further adieu, I introduce you to My Lunch.

**Disclaimer: All photos taken with crappy point-and-shoot

I'm pretty sure that says 'Coke.'

Raw meaty products + veggies. See those bread-like things? Those are tofu skins.


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