Taiwan. To me it is an independent country under constant watch of China. But to China it’s another part of their country. The UN does not recognize Taiwan as a country but as part of the republic of China. Whatever governments decide, Taiwan is a lush green island in the South China Sea.
I was here to speak at an international school in the capital city Taipei. The area of the city where I stayed, close to the international school, was more affluent than other areas. People seemed to flaunt their money by driving expensive cars, wearing designer clothes - and not knock-offs.
The streets were crowded. 23 million people call Taiwan home. Like in China, names of everything here are flowery: The Feelings Hotel, The Love Market (just a grocery store), the Easy House restaurant. Even the fish markets have interesting names like The Milk Fish Belly Shop.
The school is gorgeous with very nice students, staff and an incredible PTA. The PTA people, my official hosts, took me to a local restaurant where we ate many scrumptious Taiwanese dishes.
One night, the main PTA lady took me to a massage place to get our feet ‘done’. This was 9 PM and would take 45 minutes. I thought that would just work on a school night… But the place was busy. We had to come back in half an hour. Closer to 10 PM we were soaking our feet in stone tubs, sunken into the floor and getting the best foot massage ever. However, my feet were a sight to be seen by all. They decided I needed a pedicure. I was proud of my tough feet - I always wear Birkenstocks and have climbed mountains on my bare feet. But these ladies were falling over themselves laughing at my cracked heels, calling others to come look! So I relented and was amazed... They worked for close to an hour removing, very gently, all calluses and rough spots. I swear my feet are a size smaller now...
When the school heard that Kees was going to explore Taipei by himself while I worked, they decided that they could not let a guest wander the streets on his own. Not for safety sake but for hospitality. They sent a car and driver to give him the royal tour. He visited the National Museum where guards were thrilled to have someone to show around and crowded around him.
He also went to the top of Taipei 101 which was, at one point, the tallest building in the world with its 101 stories and a height of 1,667 feet (508 metres). The design is meant to reflect a bamboo shoot with its different segments.
The PTA had a Fun Fair on Saturday. This fair was vastly different from fundraisers I helped organize at my kids’ elementary schools… No cupcake sales here. Not only did they sell fancy food but also a Lexus car. Their rummage sale included 150.- used Gucci shoes (1400.- new) and other designer clothes. It was very interesting to observe.
In Taiwan (as in China and other Asian countries) it is custom to hand someone anything with two hands: business cards, the bill, money, etc. Whenever I walked into the hotel lobby, all those behind the counter would rise and bow. Everyone spoke English and I almost never heard 'Nihou' - just ‘hello'.
I spent some time at the Taipei airport, looking at electronics, buying some amazing ethnic clothing and sitting in my favorite massage chair. I was very happy to discover that Cathay had upgraded me to first class on my flight to Manila. I had a cubicle all to myself, with a chair which converts to a bed, top of the line headset, a glass of champagne, dinner on white damask napkins and more. I can travel like this anytime!
In the airline magazine I read a great article about all of the hiking trails Taiwan has to offer. Looking down on the green island I vowed to, one day, return to explore much more of this beautiful place.
Tourist Information: https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/
Hiking in Taiwan: https://www.taiwanhikes.com/