I'll tell you, the closer I get to the end of the summer; the more stressed I get. I just feel like I am being dragged away from a beautiful, peaceful, intrinsically nice country to a sweatshop. Literally. And I have to drag myself away kicking and screaming: "But I want stars, and sunsets, and snow angels!"
This rant was motivated by the feeling I get every evening when I walk out of class into a still, pink world. The sunsets here in Halifax are divine, and I didn't see a single sunset my entire time in Taiwan. I find it hard to believe that you can't see a sunset anywhere in Taiwan, I assume it has more to do with the fact that Taipei is in a smog-filled valley, and I am always surrounded by tall buildings. But there's never even a hint of pink in the grey gunk that is the sky in Taipei. No clouds floating through, carrying all shades of lilac and salmon. No soft breeze that smells like the salty sea. *remorseful sigh*
The other thing I was remembering was Millenium's Eve, when Kathy, Jill and I wandered up the hill behind Grammie's house, and laid down in the crunchy thick snow, made snow-angels and stared up at the starriest sky I've ever seen. *remorseful sigh*
3 comments:
You know, Carole (and Kathy, for that matter), you aren't making Taiwan sound very appealing. I lean a little bit more toward S Korea each time you comment on Taiwan. Surely there're some good points that go overlooking, or underemphasized ... ???
Hmmm, good things about Taipei? It's funny you ask because I'm feeling exactly the same as Carole: I'm ready to pack up, rent an apartment in Perth and return to sanity. You have to realize though, that this is a reaction to Asian culture, Asian temperature and Mega-city living. I'm in Singapore and feeling exactly the same way: I hate the heat, I have trouble understanding why people are doing what they're doing and I long for all the "normal" things that I grew up with. You've really caught us at a bad time, I think. I remember when living in Taipei was wonderful: there are alot of trees and great shopping. You can find alot of shops and resturants from home and people are generally very pleasant. Everything is accessible, and there are always more places to explore and discover. And the students are really great: teaching them is very fulfilling. I bet you would feel the same way about Korea if you had been in downtown Seoul: it just gets to you after a while (and you need a break :) Come to Taiwan!
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