New Plan

In the span of the three months since I last updated, my travel plans in Taiwan have changed. A lot.

The most noticeable of which is the reduction of my previously 3 month-stay in Taiwan to a 1-month, no, make that a 2-week backpacking stint in Taiwan. Still, this blog will do its best to highlight the heat and chaos of the Taipei night markets and the lush, tropical jewels in the forests of Yangmingshan from the perspective of yet another, Taiwanese-American returned to Taiwan. I can't wait to taste a freshly fried oyster omelet and soak my jet-lagged body into a geo-thermal hot spring. Mmm...

But there is another update worth noting. I've been accepted, now with significantly less relish, to the A.I.D Summer Program. For two weeks, I, with a few other American students, will be "teaching" English to Taiwanese schoolchildren. However, whether or not this is a program aimed at benefiting underprivileged Taiwanese schoolchildren or if it is a glorified "resume-friendly" volunteer vacation for underqualified American high schoolers and college students is a question I'm very skeptical about.

Regardless, I am going, I am packing, and I will be leaving from the SEA airport boarding a China Airlines plane on June 30th due to arrive at TPE at the ungodly hour of 5:20 AM on July 1st...jetlagged and wearily fumbling my way to the nearest hostel.

Planning for the Trip

Taiwan. 3 months. Solo.

From mid-May to mid-August, I'll be slurping beef noodle soup, relaxing in the hot springs, climbing Jade Mountain, and hopefully, teaching English for four weeks in the small, tropical island of Taiwan. The new year has barely been broken in, but with January waning to a close, all I can think about is getting in shape mentally and physically for this trip.

Starting from the TPE airport in the capital city Taipei, the plan is to circle the island counter-clockwise.

But because Taiwan still doesn't have ultra-efficient public transportation, I will need to not only rent a scooter, but learn how to ride one. And this is pretty big news to me, as a girl who can't even ride a bike in the burbs let alone a motorized 2-wheeler in crazy Asian traffic.

I will also need to brush up on my Mandarin, which have spent years toeing the line between 'hick' Chinese and Chingrish. Despite that Chinese was technically my first language...

Hiking and swimming are key as well. Jade Mountain, or 'Yu Shan' is nearly 4,000 m (13,000 ft). It is the highest peak in East Asia. If I do anything right in Taiwan, it'll be getting to the top of this mountain at dawn. As for swimming, tropical Taiwan has beautiful beaches, with southern Taiwan serving as a reputable surfing spot.

The plane tickets haven't even been bought yet, my backpack isn't purchased, and my 2008 AID program application isn't even half filled out yet. I'm a highly-caffeinated, stressed out, strung out mess right now, but I can't shake Taiwan from my exam-heavy life and I'm so excited!!