8 days left and counting until I leave for Taipei!
Packing Status: 90%
Things left to do: More music on Zune, books on ereader, absentee ballot *sigh* , laundry
Monday, August 27, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Countdown
Basically one week and four days left before I get on a plane for the very first time.
Packing suitcases status: 2%
Things left to finish, beyong packing: absentee ballot registration, put books on ereader, music on zune
Packing suitcases status: 2%
Things left to finish, beyong packing: absentee ballot registration, put books on ereader, music on zune
Perceptions
It was recommended to me to write down my possible misconceptions and worries and thoughts about Taiwan before I leave. Basically so I can look back when I return... I say things like, "this was ridiculous, I learned so much, I can't believe I was afraid of...". A learning tool and as a way to fully understand and appreciate my experience.
I guess let's get the worry's out of the way first. I'm going to be out of my comfort zone, this is a fact I am aware of. I will fail a few times at asking for things in Chinese (directions, prices things like that), get yelled at while struggling to bargain. Most of it is just getting things step up when I get leave here and arrive there, like getting on the different flights, arriving at school, getting a cellphone. The in the ground toilets bother me a little... but like all the above just doing it and hitting the ground running.
I know Taiwan has some similarities to China. Some culture and language structure. The way Taipei is in sections reminds me of Tokyo, expect I've been told parts of Taipei are a lot less bit city like. I guess there's all sorts of apps (iphone, ipod etc) of maps with directions and searches for places.... *glare, mumbling about apple* I'm going to be doing it the old fashion way. Questing... .. with maps... *unfolding paper map*. From my understanding the language is a mixture of dialects and uses traditional characters. I'll be learning Mandarin and know a little already (my pronunciation other than a few phrases is pretty atrocious I think).
I want to see Jiufan, the inspiration for Spirited Away. A student from last year said it was beautiful (he said all of Taiwan was though). I also want to see all the area with all the ancient trees that are huge. I hope to get some muisc (Tse Ting Fung, Jay Chou, Jonathan Wong maybe) and maybe one or two of the Young and the Dangerous films (古惑仔, I need to find the pinyin).
I'm not sure what all to expect. I think it will hard sometimes and scary, but fun and definitely worth it.
I guess let's get the worry's out of the way first. I'm going to be out of my comfort zone, this is a fact I am aware of. I will fail a few times at asking for things in Chinese (directions, prices things like that), get yelled at while struggling to bargain. Most of it is just getting things step up when I get leave here and arrive there, like getting on the different flights, arriving at school, getting a cellphone. The in the ground toilets bother me a little... but like all the above just doing it and hitting the ground running.
I know Taiwan has some similarities to China. Some culture and language structure. The way Taipei is in sections reminds me of Tokyo, expect I've been told parts of Taipei are a lot less bit city like. I guess there's all sorts of apps (iphone, ipod etc) of maps with directions and searches for places.... *glare, mumbling about apple* I'm going to be doing it the old fashion way. Questing... .. with maps... *unfolding paper map*. From my understanding the language is a mixture of dialects and uses traditional characters. I'll be learning Mandarin and know a little already (my pronunciation other than a few phrases is pretty atrocious I think).
I want to see Jiufan, the inspiration for Spirited Away. A student from last year said it was beautiful (he said all of Taiwan was though). I also want to see all the area with all the ancient trees that are huge. I hope to get some muisc (Tse Ting Fung, Jay Chou, Jonathan Wong maybe) and maybe one or two of the Young and the Dangerous films (古惑仔, I need to find the pinyin).
I'm not sure what all to expect. I think it will hard sometimes and scary, but fun and definitely worth it.
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