Moving back to Taiwan has gotten my wife and I thinking about all the things we are really looking forward too! I took all the pictures below, these are real experiences I've had! Check out the top 10 things that I love about Taiwan!
1. Night Markets
Night Markets are the best places to find a late night snack, cheap things to buy, and just meet people or hang with friends playing carnival style games. It is generally really crowded but thats part of the fun! You can experience very cultural food here or play it safe with Taiwanese style corndogs and chicken steak.
2. Warm Weather/Beaches
Taiwan has a very warm climate. It passes through the Tropical line of Cancer. In the summer the temperatures will be 78-100 Fahrenheit. In the winter it will get down 55 Fahrenheit.
Taiwan also has some of the best beaches. If the water is calm you'll be able to see 7+ feet below.
3. Learning Chinese
Learning Chinese isn't going to be easy but its exciting. The challenge of it and joy when you start to understand something you could't before is like nothing else! Being able to listen in on a conversation and pick up parts of what they are saying is an awesome part about learning a new language. I can't wait to start studying Chinese again!
4. Beef Noodle
Taiwan has a lot of interesting foods. Lots of them are very terrifying to try. However, there is some foods that I've been craving since the day I left. Mostly Beef Noodle. Its basically just big chunks of beef and noodles, often served with some cooked vegetables in it. It only costs about $2 for a big bowl.
5. Tea Shops
Tea shops are everywhere in Taiwan. Almost every block you will run into at least one tea shop. I am not a big fan of tea but they carry a good selection of fresh fruit drinks. You can choose how cold you want it and how much sugar to put in it. In America these kind of teas would run about $5-8 but in Taiwan you can get it for $1-3.
6. Convenience
Taiwanese are all about convenience. They have special phrases in their language pertaining to how convenient things are. Taiwanese have mastered convenience. You will have any trouble finding a 7-11 or similar shop. There is a 7-11 for almost every other building in Taiwan. You can often find two or three 7-11's within a 1 block radius.
7. Scooters
There dangerous but oh so much fun. Having a scooter will almost guarantee you'll be able to find a place to park in the crowded cities of Taiwan. Without one enjoy driving around for hours trying to find a parking spot. They are an excellent mode of exploration and fun.
8. The City
I love the city! The tall buildings, the traffic, the people everywhere, its the best. Taiwan's cities are mostly all hit with a mountain in the background also. Causing for some beautiful scenery on clear days.
9. National Health Insurance
One of the best things is the cost of health care! Even without health insurance it doesn't cost you that much to go to the hospital. However when you have a Healthcare Card your set. Oh, you feel a little sick? Go to your local health care physician and get pumped with medicine for a total cost of $10 USD.
10. The People
Taiwanese are very unique, creative, and fun people. We do have our cultural differences but that's part of what is so exciting and fun about building friendships with them. There is so much you can learn from living in another culture surrounded by people who grew in another world.
There was a lot of really good singers at the event. Many students who had been in Taiwan for years and had been studying Chinese for a long time competed. Anne Marie was the only one to sing in Taiwanese.
