When we got back to Fengyuan after Alishan, I got lots of attention when I limped into Berhan. Frances asked me to take off my shoes and socks so that she could examine my injury. She thought my foot might be broken, so she took me on her scooter to a hospital. The first one we went to had no available doctor. So, later she had Uncle take me to a different hospital. Have I ever said that I love Chinese medicine?! There are no unnecessary tests with added costs. The doctor just looked at my foot, then held my foot and asked me to move it different ways. He determined from that that I only had a bad sprain and it was not broken. Thank goodness! The doctor put some green stuff on my ankle that looked like ground-up seaweed mixed with pesto, and then wrapped it up. The green stuff smelled like icy/hot and felt very cold on my skin. He also gave me some medication to help with the swelling. There were four different pills. I also love healthcare in Taiwan. All of this only cost me $200 NT (that's like $7 USD). Not bad. Not bad at all.
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| All wrapped up! |
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| That's a lot of pills for 3 days. |
We had a slumber party in the lounge. I don't know why we didn't do it sooner. It was really fun. Allison, Lien, Libby, Erin, Kristi, Devin and I had grand time. The next morning we had one last hurrah by playing Wacky Six. Erin creamed us! Are we surprised?!
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| Slumber Party in the Lounge! |
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| Taking my bandage off... Ew! |
Libby and Erin were going to the airport with me. Allison, Lien, Devin and Katy were headed up to Taipei for the New Year. It was the same bus as mine. Erin, Libby and I had to change buses 2 hours into our trip. Anyway, Kristi was going to meet up with some friends in Taichung, so she waited with us until our bus arrived. It was really hard to say goodbye to everyone. I love these people!
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At the Ubus station
Allison, Erin, Kristi, Katy, Me, Devin, Libby, Lien |
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| On the Ubus to the airport |
When Erin, Libby and I got to the airport, we parted ways. I needed to check-in at China Airlines, and they at Asia Air. It was the understanding that we would meet up right after security and hang out until I left. My flight was a couple hours earlier than theirs. So, I didn't bother saying goodbye. After through security, I waited for about 90 minutes. They never showed. I had to leave and board my flight. I was sad that I didn't get to say goodbye to them.
I found out later that Asia Air would not let them check-in more than two hours before their flight. So, they couldn't get into the airport.
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| That's a lot of luggage! |
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| We got carts! |
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| About to check-in |
With cane in hand, I was surprised by how much special treatment I got. Airport workers directed me to the handicap lines, so I didn't have to wait. They let me onto the airplane before anyone, well, with all the people in wheelchairs. The stewardess put my bags in the overhead bin for me. And I was offered a drink before the airplane even took off. When I got to America, there was none of that.
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| The Flora World |
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| Hello Kitty Pay Phones |
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| Mango Smoothie and on the airplane by myself |
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| Out my window |
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| Empty airplane |
Although being on a long flight, I had a really good seat mate. He was an older man who grew up in Taiwan, but immigrated to America when he was in college. It was fun to talk to him about all the cool places I visited in Taiwan. I hope that I will have the opportunity to go back to Taiwan someday. I love Taiwan! 我爱台湾! It has become a part of me, always in my heart. The people I met and the experiences I had have changed me forever. And for that, I am very grateful.
