Day 60 -- July 23

So I said I wouldn’t update until Wednesday but I felt like writing a blog entry, so here we are. Today was  actually quite fun. I am getting smarted and have started buying bread at night to eat for breakfast. I usually don’t make it out of the room until 11 or so but I am awake no later than 8. The time between meals was beginning to take it’s toll. Eating a bunch of random snacks during the day is no way to live, at least not for me. I tend to eat things that are less healthy, though I am always up for some fresh pineapple. Reid, on of my classmates, suggested I buy some fruit on the way into MTC then save it for one of our breaks. I am very seriously considering this option. Now to find a fruit vendor open at 11am...

    Had a good long talk with Johnny on the 7/11 patio. Sometimes it’s just nice to have chats about life and the way things are. Coming to a different country has helped put my views and ‘truths’ into perspective. We also talked about heading to Taichung for a couple of days that we have off. Just escape the city that is Taipei, to big for my tastes but a necessary place to be. Also I have made a decision about my last two days in Taiwan. I finish school on the 21st and have to be out of the dorms by the 23rd. However, I am not leaving until the 24th in the afternoon. So I have decided to split the difference and get a hotel for two nights the 22nd and 23rd. I think sleeping in a decent bed will prepare me for the 15 hour flight back to Reno. My English friend, Alex, showed me a great site where I will be able to buy my hotel for incredibly cheap, 50 bucks a night cheap. I will keep you posted on that end.

    Something I have noticed is the usual places I frequent, many of the vendors now know my name and they also give me discounted prices. I was talking to Johnny about it, he said it’s Guan Xi, or business relations. This word a little bit difficult to translate, but essentially in this case for my it’s customer loyalty. Like today where I usually get coffee, I walked up said hello. We both complained about how hot it was today (which good lord it was hot). She got my coffee going, I paid, (10 NT less than normal price) and I waited for my number. She never gave it to me so I asked her what my number was. She said to me “your number is your name.” I don’t know why but I really like how she said it. Instead of my order being some random number I’m an actual person that was lovely. Sometimes here, you feel a little bit lie an exotic creature. Ayi and Grannies will come up touch your hair or your skin on the bus occasionally, it was nice to have my name identify me.

    Some food for thought in my case. It’s getting late so I will head off to bed. I’m going to keep posting I think even if it’s only a few words. I’ll try to get pictures of new things as best I can. Good Night!