Day 4 - Soaking up so many things
6:00 am - Departing the plane was much easier than boarding it. Jon Ralls told us don't worry about where to go, just follow the crowd. That was easy, and we immediately found some long lines to wait in. Checking into the country as foreigners was much easier than I expected. They checked our passports, and we walked to the baggage claim. I thought Jon would be there to meet us, but apparently visitors aren't allowed to the baggage claim area. So we loaded up the boxes and bags, and followed everyone out. We were asked at the customs desk what was in the boxes and I wondered if they would be unpacked. I figured honesty is the best policy, so I explained that they contained kitchen supplies for a family that is moving here in a few months. No problems, and we were through. The Ralls' were waiting right through the door, and our kids started running around and playing with each other right there in the reception area. They were all talking with each other a mile a minute. We barely stopped them long enough to take this picture (7:00 am Tuesday local, 5:00 p.m. Monday in Missouri):
Jon had brought a van to carry us in, so we loaded up the little Toyota with 9 people and 18 boxes and bags. Amazingly, it all fit. Jon warned us that the traffic is the first culture shock we would experience. Having immediately come from LA, I was slightly prepared. The main part of traffic that surprised me was the thousands of scooters everywhere, weaving in and out of traffic, barely missing pedestrians and busses.
In fact, later as we walked around town, we were regularly within a foot of bikes, cars, and scooters. Apparently, people rarely get hit by scooters, and when they do, it's thought of as no big deal. We warned the kids to stay on the side of the street while walking down the alleys and they did fine.
After lunch at McDonald's, we took a train ride to the north part of the island, some little touristy place. It was about a 30 minute subway ride. Jon spent some time talking to a Buddhist monk on the train. Here's a picture of Joshua and Adam together, with Jon and the Buddhist in the background.
Dan Shway reminded me of the strip in Branson or Lake of the Ozarks, with shops squeezed together offering food, toys, clothes, games, and all kinds of ways to spend your money. Jon talked me into getting a massage. In Taiwan, many who give massages are blind, because they can be trained to do the job. Unfortunately, the camera didn't work, so I can't show you what it looked like, but it felt great (I am on vacation, after all). For $3, I got 10 minutes of a neck and shoulders massage.
It was raining off and on, but then it started to pour. We got soaked waiting to take a boat ride through the harbor. It sort of reminded me of being on Lake Michigan in Chicago. Another trip to McDonald's for coffee and a snack, and then we were on the train back into town. That was about the time Alex konked out on the train. (Notice how I got a picture of Sandy wet, but not me).
We went to supper at Tepinyaka, where they cooked right in front of us. The restaurant was right across the street from where Jon and Amy live. The kids enjoyed the chef's antics, but mainly, they liked the fried eggs with a happy face in soy sauce. Allen and Cherry Messimer joined us with their new baby Kirstie.
Back home, where I was about to fall asleep starting at 7:00 pm. Jon urged us to stay up until 9:00 pm local time in order to get a good night's sleep and not wake up in the middle of the night. Adam fell asleep first at 8:00 pm (and slept until 8:30 the next morning).
We put the other kids to bed at 8:30, then Sandy and I stayed up talking to the Messimers and the Ralls. I made a few phone calls using Skype, which costs only 2 cents a minute to call over the Internet.
We finally went to sleep about 9:00 pm and had a fairly good night's sleep for the first full night in Taiwan.
Reflections on the day: We really just soaked up rain and culture. The traffic was certainly a shock, as was ordering at McDonald's. They really couldn't understand much of what I said, but they did have a picture menu. We tried one unique rice beef burger, but everything else was standard fare for McDonald's. Adam even ordered his own ice cream cone and paid for it himself. The train was just like riding the metrolink in St. Louis. I was amazed at so many conversations Jon could have in Chinese. Only a few times did I find him struggling for a word, and the people he was talking to were so willing to help him find the right word when that happened.
Every corner has a Seven-Eleven for shopping, and a McDonald's or Starbucks about every block. Even though it was rainy, we enjoyed walking around and soaking it in. One observation: As I pushed Alex around in the stroller, I was constantly getting smiles and pointing from the Chinese people. I think they were in awe of Alex. One place we walked in front of, a lady said, "Oh, you have five children!" in an excited voice. Jon says that if he takes Joshua with him some place, he can literally talk to people about Christ as long as he wants, because they ask him questions constantly and Joshua always brings up Jesus. We're hoping to gain that kind of heart and perspective on this trip.
Next time: Day 5 - The world's tallest building
Jon had brought a van to carry us in, so we loaded up the little Toyota with 9 people and 18 boxes and bags. Amazingly, it all fit. Jon warned us that the traffic is the first culture shock we would experience. Having immediately come from LA, I was slightly prepared. The main part of traffic that surprised me was the thousands of scooters everywhere, weaving in and out of traffic, barely missing pedestrians and busses.
In fact, later as we walked around town, we were regularly within a foot of bikes, cars, and scooters. Apparently, people rarely get hit by scooters, and when they do, it's thought of as no big deal. We warned the kids to stay on the side of the street while walking down the alleys and they did fine.
After lunch at McDonald's, we took a train ride to the north part of the island, some little touristy place. It was about a 30 minute subway ride. Jon spent some time talking to a Buddhist monk on the train. Here's a picture of Joshua and Adam together, with Jon and the Buddhist in the background.
Dan Shway reminded me of the strip in Branson or Lake of the Ozarks, with shops squeezed together offering food, toys, clothes, games, and all kinds of ways to spend your money. Jon talked me into getting a massage. In Taiwan, many who give massages are blind, because they can be trained to do the job. Unfortunately, the camera didn't work, so I can't show you what it looked like, but it felt great (I am on vacation, after all). For $3, I got 10 minutes of a neck and shoulders massage.
It was raining off and on, but then it started to pour. We got soaked waiting to take a boat ride through the harbor. It sort of reminded me of being on Lake Michigan in Chicago. Another trip to McDonald's for coffee and a snack, and then we were on the train back into town. That was about the time Alex konked out on the train. (Notice how I got a picture of Sandy wet, but not me).
We went to supper at Tepinyaka, where they cooked right in front of us. The restaurant was right across the street from where Jon and Amy live. The kids enjoyed the chef's antics, but mainly, they liked the fried eggs with a happy face in soy sauce. Allen and Cherry Messimer joined us with their new baby Kirstie.
Back home, where I was about to fall asleep starting at 7:00 pm. Jon urged us to stay up until 9:00 pm local time in order to get a good night's sleep and not wake up in the middle of the night. Adam fell asleep first at 8:00 pm (and slept until 8:30 the next morning).
We put the other kids to bed at 8:30, then Sandy and I stayed up talking to the Messimers and the Ralls. I made a few phone calls using Skype, which costs only 2 cents a minute to call over the Internet.
We finally went to sleep about 9:00 pm and had a fairly good night's sleep for the first full night in Taiwan.
Reflections on the day: We really just soaked up rain and culture. The traffic was certainly a shock, as was ordering at McDonald's. They really couldn't understand much of what I said, but they did have a picture menu. We tried one unique rice beef burger, but everything else was standard fare for McDonald's. Adam even ordered his own ice cream cone and paid for it himself. The train was just like riding the metrolink in St. Louis. I was amazed at so many conversations Jon could have in Chinese. Only a few times did I find him struggling for a word, and the people he was talking to were so willing to help him find the right word when that happened.
Every corner has a Seven-Eleven for shopping, and a McDonald's or Starbucks about every block. Even though it was rainy, we enjoyed walking around and soaking it in. One observation: As I pushed Alex around in the stroller, I was constantly getting smiles and pointing from the Chinese people. I think they were in awe of Alex. One place we walked in front of, a lady said, "Oh, you have five children!" in an excited voice. Jon says that if he takes Joshua with him some place, he can literally talk to people about Christ as long as he wants, because they ask him questions constantly and Joshua always brings up Jesus. We're hoping to gain that kind of heart and perspective on this trip.
Next time: Day 5 - The world's tallest building
posted by Central Christian College of the Bible at
8:21 PM
