Scootah!

Today after church, Whitney offered to give one of us a ride home on her scooter.  I volunteered the quickest.  Yea!  It was so much fun.  I love scooters.  It was also a good opportunity to get to know Whitney better. 

Week 3 Videos

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On the bus, on the way to Taipei.

We encountered this man at the rest-stop.  He is playing a leaf.

A closer view.

At the Taipei Stake Center.  They were practicing for some sort of concert or talent show.

Third time to Taipei

Today, our ward took a bus ride into Taipei to go to the Taipei temple.  On the way there, I sat in between Whitney Sheahan and Kristi Stephensen.  It was nice because I don't feel like I know Whitney very well, and now I know her a little better.  They are both very peaceful people.  I like it.  It's nice to be around them. 

The Taipei temple was beautiful.  I love the Asian inspired paintings and furniture.  I have never been in a smaller temple.  It was pocket-sized; just like Taiwan. 

After the temple, we went to Taipei 101, one of the tallest buildings in the world.  Alex, a girl in my ward, said that it was built like bamboo, in layers.  There are eight sections.  Eight is a lucky number here.  It means wealth and prosperity(?).  We ran out of time to go up to the top.  On another occasion we will.  On the inside it is an upscale shopping mall, with stores like Armani and Tiffany & Co. among others. 

Taipei has a lot more to see and do.  I can't wait to go back. 

Random tidbit: People here stare at us Americans a lot.  But, today I thought, can I blame them.  I do the same thing.  Every time I see an American I stare, because there just aren't very many here.  In fact, when we were standing outside in front of Taipei 101, an asian woman wanted us to stand by her so that he husband could take a video of us with her.  Weird. 

Playing at the Rest stop.

Me and Erin

Can you do the Can Can?

Alex, Me, Libby, Erin and Kristi

Me and beautiful Formosa

Kristi, Erin, Libby and Whitney

That darn squatter

Taipei Taiwan Temple

Laura, Me and Erin

Taipei 101

Libby, Laura, Lien, Erin, Kristi and Me

Inside Taipei 101

Uniform Day

Today was "uniform day."  Berhan gave us each a cotton t-shirt with the Berhan logo on it, which was cool except for the fact that they were all way too big.  It looked like I was wearing a tent.  I was a little embarrassed about it.  When I came downstairs to my first class, I knew that the secretaries were talking about me and my huge shirt.  In Chinese they talked while pointing at me and pointing at their own shirts.  It's not my fault it is the wrong size.  They never asked us what size we wanted.  Well, now I have a new pajama shirt.  I will tell you, I was very comfortable today wearing a "pajama" top.

I look thrilled.

The bench

The most random thing: One of Erin's student's parents gave us an AB bench for the fourth floor.  Apparently she works for an exercize equipment company.  Sometime, we are going to get an eliptical too.  Erin and I had to carry it up the stairs. 

The "Tunnel of Death"

We call this the "Tunnel of Death."  Not sure why.  Other than the fact that this is where I got in my first bike accident.  For my safety while filming this video, I rode through the tunnel much slower than normal. 

A brief account:  "There is an area where the road is really narrow.  At that spot, only the cars are allowed on the road.  The scooters and bikes have to go on a separate sidewalk that goes through a tunnel, the "Tunnel of Death."  The pedestrians have another designated sidewalk.  Anyway, I was riding my bike throught the tunnel and the people in front of me slowed to a stop really fast.  I reacted fast enough, but the people behind me did not.  I was hit from behind, another cyclist.  I was slammed into the wall of hte tunnel.  Erin and Kristi were in front of the me, and heard the crash, but didn't realize it was me.  Remarkably, I came out unscathed.  I can't say the same for my bike.  Now I can check that experience off my list."

For people who get the emails, you can view the video at: http://meg-yancey.blogspot.com/ .

Food

Just got home from grocery shopping, enjoying some chocolate milk.  The milk here tastes really good, however, it is imported.  No cows in Taiwan.

Notice the flavor.  Pineapple flavored cheese!

American brands!

Holy Mangos!  I had no idea there was more than one type of mango.  The one on the bottom is almost twice the size of a mango bought in America.  You can only imagine how big the yellow one's are. 

Candy.  Beware of the Cola flavored Mentos.  I couldn't stomach them. 

Saw these at Carrefour today.  Interesting flavors.