Reflections from a first time trip leader.
Steps…delicious food…rain…humidity…bubble tea…dumplings….fried chicken…hot pot…god mine museum…tea…palace arts…temple… squat toilets…exchange…mosquitos…foot massages…majestic monuments…hills, mountains and bodies of water…hospitality … amazing fellow travelers and coplanner…2 more days
That’s the short hand version.
It’s hard to write cohesively because of all the experiences I’ve had so far. I am impressed at how thoughtfully each student has expressed themselves in their blogposts: not just a testament to their skills at writing but also how much they share about who they are through what they write. I confess my own post may pale in comparison.
It’s has been a busy and amazing 9 days and I am so grateful for my fellow trip leaders, Adam and Alex and our contact here is Taiwan, Patrick. Our students have been amazing and it’s been a pleasure to see their excitement, their sense of adventure and to get to know them as fellow travelers. Some students want to climb everything (and even found a gym to climb!), some who want to eat new foods, explore the arts, tea, shop and try out familiar franchises in a different country. Students who are practicing their Chinese and being treated like rock stars. I am so proud to witness their engagement and interaction with students from our partner schools and how they are bringing their best selves on this trip.
Taiwan is a city that has juxtaposed all of its history everywhere you look. Modern building design and outdoor art interspersed with old city buildings, temples and storefronts. There is food aplenty, not just Taiwanese, to try and bubble tea and fresh fruit juices everywhere you look. 7-11’s with food and snacks and even more temples to worship and pray for good luck and fortune. There are parks and greenery everywhere. I’ve also been practicing the little Mandarin and Fukien I remember and the irony is not lost on me that our most excellent speaker is a White Caucasian male 😉
As I’m winding down for the second to the last night here in Taiwan, I’m gearing up for another packed day as we make our way to Sun Moon Lake. Here are some pictures that help to give a sense of what has caught my eye here in Taiwan
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