Taipei

Well, it's been an intresting two weeks. Much to write, try tokeep as short and succinct as possible. I finally moved out of my sponsored housing yesterday. It was a good move, have my own place to call home and since my two travelmates (Sam and Roisin) the canucks moved out, the large apt was somwhat lonely. My new apt is in a great location, near the Uni, bars, cybercafes, right on top of Taiwans coveted nightmarkets and only a 10 min walk to my school and a 3 min walk to the nearest MRT (subway). Before I proceed I must thank my grandmother Maier and my Uncle Bill Maier for the connection with a businessman here named Liu. Liu has been a literal Godsend. He has taken me out to eat numerous times, driven me from apt to apt in his car, and bought me a few things for my new apt. He lives an hour south of Taipei,so its no easy task.I can say there has been little to no culture shock as of yet. The food has been agreeable (and dirt cheap 5-6 bucks a day suffices) the people overly friendly, the school and students as good as can be expected. My only real qualm is the language barrier and unbelievable humidity. I can't walk more than 10 mins without breaking into a moderate sweat. Taipei is a land of such striking contrasts: the streets and city itself is clean, though shotty dilapatated buildings are ubiquitous, the people are friendly and helpful though only if you try to establish contact. Everywhere you go there are mom andpop shops that literally sell out of the side of a wall, yet most have flat screen TV's and laptops. The weather can go from sunny and cool to humid as hell and windy with driving rain in a matter of seconds. You can pass rows of shops such as Diors, Rolex, Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. all the while walking along with a stray dog and giant hog. Speaking of which, its the year of the dog, therefore apparently there allowed to go anywhere and do anything. Odder things: garbage trucks come into each neighborhood playing Beethovens 5th as women in towels race outside to deposit their trash. Everyone wears shirts w/the most ridiculous English written on them-girl today wore a shirt labeled "Sow for cash"!?!?! Yes I'm the 2nd tallest person in the country, some guy I work with , Hans, from Sweden is taller.School is going well, quickly accruing more hours, kids seem tolike me. They goto school all day then come to English "cram" for 2 hours 3 nights week. Some also come Saturday mornings. I'm doing a 1 on 1 with a Japanese man who is visiting Taipei for a month, but lives in Australia. He wants to make sure his English doesn't get rusty. Slowly learning some Chinese, its tough, not like any other language, it's pictures for God's sake. If your still reading sorry for being superflous, thanks to all those who read and left posts. Feel freeto drop me an email with any questions.