Taiwan at its finest.

Week one. There is so much to talk about that I don’t even know where to begin. I guess that’s what I get for not blogging since I’ve been here. It has been a crazy week filled with new smells -good and bad, new and unique food, green landscape at every turn, enough humidity to make you want to pass out, and the best fruit I have ever had. The best part about it is that it’s been sunny everyday we’ve been here. I am even sunburned. I think I had this fear before we came that it was going to be raining (the humid kind) 24/7 all summer long but it hasn’t… and it’s been great thus far.The 14-hour flight was a bit of a challenge since B and I both took sleeping pills but couldn’t fall asleep, it was miserable… we were like zombies. But when we got to Taiwan, we checked into our amazing apartment, which seems as if it was a 4 star hotel with all of its cool amenities. We have a gym, rooftop garden with an amazing view, natural springs spas, bike rentals, and a swimming pool! A swimming pool might be common to Arizonans but people will buy an apartment here just to use the pool. It’s pretty humid here, I don’t blame em’. 

All of our days here so far have seemed like a blur because they have been jammed packed with going around Taipei and doing things that Britton did on his mission.  The other day we biked to a city called Dan Shui and it was the cutest town ever! I loved it. We got mango smoothies, walked around, and looked around at some antique shops. Another day, the four of us headed to the BEACH! Yes, they have a beach here. It was perfect for the weather but it was about a 45 min. bus ride away so I don’t know how often we will go but that is how I got sun burnt. I didn’t think to pack sunscreen when going to Taiwan but I am sure my sister-in-laws won’t be surprised! Yesterday, we had a super fun day at the Taipei Zoo. The Phoenix Zoo got nothing on it! Not only did admission cost us a whopping 2 bucks but also it was so much better! Not only were we in the middle of a jungle but the animals that were active and very amusing. Afterwards we took a “gondola”, otherwise known as a tram that went up to a small town on top of a hillside/mountain. We got a good view of the city as well as Taipei 101, which used to be the tallest building in the world.

Here are some pictures of what we have been up to starting with our little apartment...

A few insights so far about Taiwan:

The Taiwanese are the kindest people ever. They are so polite and giving, no wonder Britton feel in love with these people on his mission.

America is a rip off. Although I love USA with all my heart, food and most of everything else is so cheap here. We can eat dinner for the both of us for under $4. The only thing in America for that price is fast food. No thank you. We went to a restaurant the other night and I caught myself saying that our meal was dang expensive when the total came out to $5. I am a changed woman.

The Humidity. That has been my numero uno struggle. Everyone who knows me knows I hate to be hot! With a high of 95 degrees and 73% humidity, it will make me think twice before ever moving to the south just so I can have a house with a wrap-around-porch.

The Taiwanese are crazy drivers. We thought about getting scooters while we are here but I am not too sure if I want to risk my life.  It is scooters galore on the streets and sometimes they will even drive in the sidewalks if they’re trying to get around others. We’ve had a few near death experiences so far so I may just want to stick to bikes. Better safe than sorry right?