Exploring the world I live in

Each passing day seems to be filled with new adventures. It seems very odd to me to be writing about each day we spend here, and perhaps in our near future it will get quite boring (probably more for those of you who actually ready this than for me in writing it!). But, for right now, our days are so rich in experience that I find it difficult to condense it in such a way so as not to scare people away!

Being jet-lagged, our days start very early for Taipei standards. We were out the door by about 8am and were looking forward to discovering a local market-place which is very well known for its farm-to-you goods. What we found was that most stalls had barely opened when we arrived (around 8:10 or so) and the alley was lined with small trucks waiting for their turn to deliver that day’s merchandise to the appropriate stall. It seems a very short day indeed for the market as we were told that while the market operates every day, it closes for business around noon.

The best way to compare the local market is to a typical ‘Farmer’s Market’ in the US…on steroids. It’s about 5-7 blocks of all kinds of locally-grown veggies and fruits; freshly butchered meats; fresh fish; housewares; kitchenwares…just about everything (including the kitchen sink!). I LOVED the variety and even found many comfort fruits and veggies, so thankfully I can still prepare many foods I am accustomed to, which will be helpful for when the girls are feeling picky! All was going well until we passed by the fresh poultry section. Let’s just say that the girls became uncomfortable with the sight of not only whole chickens hanging to dry and soaking in large vats, but more importantly, the rows and rows of live chickens in cages in each stall waiting to be selected for the night’s dinner. We didn’t linger very much to say the least! On a personal note, I view the experience as one of life’s lessons that our meat does not come in yellow and pink packages but actually comes from live, breathing beings. I am hoping it makes them more in touch and aware of the world they live in.

We wrapped up our morning trip to a local breakfast place we stopped at on a whim. We were all sooo glad we did! We ordered our favorite breakfast food, which consisted of a Chinese doughnut (not sweet), rice ball with bafu and the doughnut inside, some kind of pastry with an egg in the middle, and something new…a curry dumpling. Yummy! What was most encouraging about the trip was that Brianna has taken a special interest in breakfast. She’s quite comfortable with the names of the food that we like now (for breakfast anyway). Terry has given each girl a carrot…each person who can order a full meal for our whole family in Mandarin, may choose any restaurant they desire the next time we eat. Brianna is well aware that Taipei has a famous Hello Kitty restaurant (http://hungryintaipei.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-in-towndesserts-hello-kitty-sweets.html). She has been really upset with us as we were hoping to take the girls there as a treat before school started…but, alas time has not allowed. So, Brianna sees this as her guaranteed way of having us PROMISE to take her there. She sat at breakfast with a pad and pen in hand and quizzed Terry on each item and how to say it, as well as how to order (‘I would please like 2 of these’). I’ll keep you posted on her progress…I think she has high hopes of making tomorrow the day!

After breakfast, we made it to the girls’ school to choose their uniforms. While there, the girls got to meet their teachers, a few classmates, and take a tour of the school. I’m pleased to report that they are both rather excited about starting on Thursday. All was going splendidly until I realized that I did not bring an abundance of cash and apparently the uniform shop doesn’t accept credit cards. Ay ay ay…all that time spent and I now have to go back tomorrow (although I am truly ecstatic about going out by myself tomorrow)! I’m still amazed at how much cash is exchanged here…it doesn’t seem to me that credit or debit cards are in abundance here, but perhaps that is because most of the businesses seem to be rather small, run mostly by individuals and families. In fact, as we walk to the subway station, one person with a vat of oil, a butane tank and a small griddle constitutes a business…and people will line up 10-deep for the fabulous food. It’s amazing to me how business is conducted, and how efficient it is.

It seems that with everything so close, many people never travel farther than a 2 block radius. Travelling 5-6 miles here in Taipei (using public transportation OR private car/taxi) seems just as far as someone driving from one end of the Bay Area to the other. After these past 3 days I am beginning to understand why. With everything you need here, why travel farther? It seems that those with restless spirits don’t stay too long and it’s not uncommon to find people working at food stands which have been in the family for 3-4 generations.

I am finding it an adjustment to remember to bring my shopping bags with me everywhere I go. Taipei, contrary to popular beliefs, has become amazingly clean and efficient in its recycling and waste management. When I purchase an item, I am asked if I would like to purchase a bag in which to bring my items home, or if I have one of my own. I wonder what would happen in the US if everyone had to buy a bag before checking out? Granted, the bags are the equivalent of $0.01; however, I find the concept of paying for the bag refreshing…but something to get used to as I have now learned. Also, I am learning to be cautious of what I buy. For those of you who have recently moved, you feel my pain in settling in to the new apartment. It seems we need EVERYTHING from silly trays to hold our toothbrushes to a phone so that people may call us. I discovered that buying everything I need is going to be a slow process as I found that our purchases are quite heavy! Either that or I will quickly have muscles of steel!

For that reason, most places in Taipei deliver (above a certain $ amount). We went to Ikea (yes, that's Terry and the girls in crazy hats which Ikea gives out!) and discovered that, for a fee, will not only deliver our furniture (and miscellaneous household items we purchased), but will also assemble it for us! We also found that McDonald’s (which is 3 doors down from us) will make deliveries as well…when was the last time you saw fast food get even faster!!

I am finding that with every passing day, I am getting braver with my Mandarin and am no longer afraid to purchase something on my own, or try to communicate. Yesterday, I took the girls to get their nails painted. After the past few days traipsing around behind us, I thought they needed a ‘win’. The women who helped us spoke about as much English as I speak Mandarin, which isn’t saying much. Yet, after trial and error, I was able to communicate that we just moved to Taipei and that my husband is working here. I also was able to ask them where a decent beef-noodle soup place is (one of Taipei’s more famous dishes). Believe it or not, I was able to understand where I needed to go to find it. This evening, I asked Terry to go with us to find it, as I feared that I couldn’t read the Mandarin to find which stall served this dish. Lucky me, my memory served me well, and their directions were spot on. We found the place with no trouble and the soup was quite good (although not as good as Terry’s mom, who makes the best beef noodle soup!). Best of all was the amazing look of pride on Terry’s face when he realized that I was able to do all of this without him by my side.

Given that Terry is starting work in 2 days, it was important to me that I somehow give him the confidence that the girls and I will be ok while he’s away. I continue to discover that the Taiwanese people, for the most part, are VERY friendly and truly want to be helpful. They seem so appreciative at my attempts at Mandarin. This gives me a stronger desire to learn more. Each day I am learning new phrases, and the numbers which were so scary for me at first (e.g. ‘the cost of your purchase is $475NT’) are a bit less so. I recognize how far the journey is going to be; however, I am so comforted that I know I can find my way there.