Meet the Neighbors

I found the easiest way to meet most of my neighbors at one time last night, just go out for trash time. I posted earlier how they pick up trash like everyday here. Last night I heard the now familiar sound of the garbage trucks melody playing, so I rounded up my trash bag and headed downstairs. When I got downstairs I found that I was waiting along with around ten other people for the trashman. I don't know if I have said it before,but Taiwanese people are so nice. Everyone greeted me with a smile and a Ni Hao. I went for a four mile walk yesterday to scout out some places to take pictures this weekend, and to basically get to know my neighborhood. There are a couple of really cool looking temples that I will be posting pictures of this weekend. Well I have to go, much love to you all, and talk to you soon.

Quick Update

Since some have asked I figured I would post on the food here. If you like Chinese food you will be in heaven. Yesterday I went for Chow Mein with beef, pork, shrimp, and squid. It cost me about $1.50 for a huge plate. Last night I walked a block from my apartment and got a bento box with bbq pork, duck, vegetables and rice. That plus my milk tea, total cost for dinner $2.10, talk about a deal. Food here is wonderful and it is so cheap, well I have to jump in the shower and start another day. Talk to you soon

More of the Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival

Ok for all of you wanting pictures, tonight I went to a Lantern Festival and took some so without anymore of my yammering. Blogspot was having major problems with me and the pictures so These are all I loaded. Hope you like them.

Rain Rain Go Away

Well I don't have all that much to add for today due to the rain. I went for a walk this morning to get some breakfast and found a really cool Temple less than a block from my apartment. If the rain lets up I will get some pictures tomorrow. In addition to my taking a chinese class and teaching an english one, I was offered the opportunity to take a beginners french course, so I say what the heck let's go for it. I also found out I will be paid to teach the english course, how cool is that. Here is something really different; they pick up trash here everyday! They come by in this bright yellow garbage truck that blares ice cream truck music. I missed getting a picture of it today, but count on a picture of it tomorrow. Well this will be all for today's installment. Talk to you all soon. By the way here is my attempt at a panorama of the view from my window.

Yenshui Beehive Festival

As the full moon rose above the small village of Yenshui, crowds of one hundred thousand plus swarmed the streets to celebrate the beehive festival. Walking through the streets pushing my way pass the throngs of people, sometimes barely visible due to the copious amounts of acrid smoke billowing from the fireworks. Explosions rock me from all sides as all types of fireworks are ignited, people are running to and fro trying to find a safe haven from the bottle rockets that zip into the crowd. This is one of the most insane and dangerous activities I have ever witnessed, yet it was so much fun. I had planned on sharing a lot of photographs of the festival, but I made the ultimate rookie photographer move, I forgot to load my memory card. I took it out of the camera last night in Kaohsiung to share the photos of my hotel room. All is not lost however due to the diligence of another foreigner here in Taiwan. Here is a link to some pretty cool photos of the festivities. Yenshui Feng Pao
On another note, the University threw a welcome dinner for me tonight, which was wonderful. I was seated at a table with only beautiful Taiwanese Girls. Can I get a woohooo? I am writing this to all of you from the desk in my new apartment in Sinying City. I got here today and found an apartment and moved in. I have to go to the government so I can open a bank account and get a cell phone out here. I will update that little piece of trivia when I get more information. I am currently dead tired, so I am going to end this diatribe and get some shuteye. Just to let everyone know I am 16 hours ahead of Missouri.

One Night in Kaohsiung

Well my plane got in too late to make the night market, but here I am in my hotel and all I can say is wow. Here are some pictures of this splendid establishment. Imagine I had to fly half way around the world to find a shower taller than me. I will try and update with pictures from the beehive festival tomorrow.

I'll Fly Away

So I bid a fond farewell to the grand old US of A as I embark upon my Asian Journey. I hope all of you wonderful readers are doing well. Someone do me a solid and check up on Katie and Jimmy, had a bad dream about the two of them, just wanna be sure they are alright. The next post you will read from me will be in Taiwan or maybe at the airport in Hong Kong if I have time. Keep me in your prayers and I will talk to you all soon.

California Luv

Well and update I am sitting at my Mom's house in Hayward, I was able to run down Dr Fang Friday, he suggested 2 bottles of wine(1 is an unlucky number). I am going to Pier 39 in San Francisco today. Well I am going to get another cup of coffee, talk to you guys later.

Leaving Missouri

So we are waiting for Allie to show up so we can head to the airport. Rapper is leaving to Sacramento to visit his cousin for a week, and I am off to Oakland to spend a few days with my Mom until Tuesday when I fly out to Kaohsiung. I will arrive Wednesday night at 10:30pm, I hope to make it to Liuho night market. So my next post should include some photos.

The Final Countdown

Happy Valentines Day!
Well yesterday I drove up to Kansas City to get my Visa squared away. I also stopped by AAA and picked up an International Drivers Permit, I whole heartedly recommend this for anyone traveling abroad, a small $15 fee and you can drive legally in almost every country. Well thats all for today

Last days in Missouri

Well it looks like the time for me to leave to Taiwan is rapidly approaching. I still need to get my Visa, thanks to a lack of funds for my passport, this is cutting it to the wire. I have my tickets, my passport will arrive today or tomorrow morning, then it is off to Kansas City to get the Visa. I am wondering if I should bring a gift for Mr. Su, he is my contact at NJIT and had graciously opened his home to me for the first few days of my arrival. I'm pretty sure a gift is warranted, just don't know what it should be. Hopefully I can run down Dr. Hou or Dr. Fang and get there opinion. Well there is not much left for me to write today. I will talk to you guys soon...