Speedo

Back in the saddle again....

I'm still in shock that I suddenly find myself abroad again, it wasn't necessarily in the plans. Within 24 hours of finishing my last final exam, I was in Taiwan.

Political Note: I changed the URL and title of the blog so as not to be making any kind of political statement. Taiwan-China relations are, well, sensitive, to say the least. 

I'd imagined a sunny, tropical location on the south of the island, green, sunny, beachy, with delicious local fruits etc. Well, basically, that's what it's like down here in the south of Taiwan! I was all set to go to the beach, when I found that in the mad rush to pack, I'd forgotten the single most important item: my speedo. I'm therefore doomed to drag through the water like a homeless limpet in, while 'stylish,' aquatically impractical shorts. 

The forgotten speedo represents the hastiness of this journey's beginning. In that vein, I rushed down to the beach, only to find A) a huge government construction project blocking part of part of the beach (for the 'World Games,' I'll keep you posted on that....) and B) that the accessible portion of the beach requires a 70 TWD entry fee! (approx $2.12 US). The lady there said it's a tax that goes to the government.

Well, as a red-blooded American, you can imagine the rage I felt at having to pay a tax to a foreign government for what I consider to be a public good. Even though I was hoping to enjoy said public good, well, it's just inconvenient. I didn't have any cash with me, so I returned home, dejected. I'll let you know how it is when I forgo my pride and fork over the money.

Upcoming Post: A Religious Experience.

PS Please tell you friends about this blog, 謝謝。

PPS I live in the Yancheng district, so close to the water!

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