Los Angeles to Taipei, taiwan
A last minute decision caught off guard when sitting next to a Taiwanese girl names Kris returning from America. On a long 13 hour flight to Bangkok, with a connecting flight in Taipei, Taiwan, the discussion of adventure and desire to see the beautiful countries around the world led the conversation to appreciating Taiwan in the emergency exit row of a China Air flight from LAX. Over the course of the many hours in the air, the conversation of how beautiful Taiwan is intrigued me to the point that I was excited to make an eventual return to Taiwan for an extended period of time.
The flight to Taipei was delayed, allowing me only 30 minutes after landing to rush to my connecting flight to Bangkok. I gathered Kris’ contact information, and ran my way with the help of China Air employees to my connecting gate to BKK. I arrive with just minutes to spare in which i sat down in my seat, my things stored ahead, but I had a feeling of opportunity (which I never let myself down on). While the remaining passengers boarded their seats I made the last minute decision-
I will stay in Taiwan.
I grabbed my things and rushed out of the plane and contacted Kris, and told her that I wanted to see the country. Surprised, she collected her bags from the baggage claim and when I arrived to the exit gates of the airport, I saw her standing there, waiting for me.
Kris was unlucky enough that the train to her hometown was closed for the night, but lucky enough that her friends in Taipei, where she used to be roommates with, had extra sleeping arrangements in her old apartment. Through hospitality and a drunken return from her friends from the club, I made an introduction of tremendous gratification. For the next few nights, I will have a place to lay my head, and a host that is able and willing to take me across Taipei to try some of the most delectable foods imaginable. Noodles galore, pot stickers, bao, Boba Tea (in which Taiwan is the founder of) and much more. Within the short days I have in Taiwan, I have done so much. Through the invigorating thrill of the city, to the atmosphere of relaxing locals, Taiwan is a place for everyone.
The kindness of those around you make you feel at home, loved, and seen, even if you don’t speak Chinese. I have noticed that most people will try to avoid English as much as possible, but it works when those with a smile and eager to express their love for their culture with a foreigner invites you to conversation, even if it’s short. A smile goes a long way, and an easy “Nihao” is all you need to make someone lower their guard.
The restaurants are bustling and the food is immaculate. Kris has guided me through the menus and been a very helpful translator for my stay- if it wasn’t for her, I’d have a very difficult time I’m sure. The menus are all in Chinese naturally, and the signs and metro stops are not easily distinguishable at all times, but to have a host so gracious in her kindness is beyond what a solo backpacker like myself can ask for.
We have visited cafes, restaurants, pool halls, parks and more. It’s all a kind gesture that I will never forget.
The most exciting part of it all, was the day I rented a scooter in Taipei, and through no use of a GPS, I exited the bustling roads of downtown Taipei and wound my way up the bending roads of the mountainous countryside until I found myself at the gates of a timeless yet cared for Dao temple. As we parked the scooter we made our way up to through the passage ways of the path that led up the mountain. Through prayer statues of the Daoist deities, waterfalls, incredible viewpoints, natural rock and intricately carved markers, the feeling of nature surrounded us with the sense of incredible peace. We gathered ourselves as we reached higher and higher, speaking freely to the few older Taiwanese people working diligently in the hot and humid Taiwan sun to keep the temple in order and beauty. Their sense of belonging and love for their craft was appreciating and inviting to us visitors just passing through to enjoy it. After hiking up a bit, I found what I was looking for, a place for meditation near the top. We rid ourselves of our belongings and shoes and felt one with nature. We stayed to enjoy the peace for some time, taking in the sounds of nature around us.
After we finished becoming one with ourselves, we began making our way up the summit of the mountain. Blissful auras of nature captured our minds and souls throughout the journey.
There was so much to take in and enjoy, and to think that it wasn’t planned, but a destination-less adventure led us to the most peaceful array of possibilities that one could conceive. As we reached the top we saw the Taiwan 101 building and the stretch of the Taipei horizon leading into the distance, disappearing into the mountainsides.
The pictures gathered could only provide so much of its beauty, but to be there for yourself is beyond comparison. Even Kris had said she never knew this was here, and it only took a foreigner two days and a scooter to stumble upon the hidden gems found lying in wait in the beautiful city that is Taipei.
I leave tomorrow morning, and I am resting back at the apartment for now until the night falls, and the night markets begin to rise.
WOW GREAT