Day 1

We began our day early this morning at 8:30 visiting a temple and various governmental buildings. We were able to go where few people are normally allowed to go, the first floor of where the Taiwanese Legislative meets. A large room with President Ma Ying Jeow’s overseeing the action, there are several video cameras scattered around carefully positioned so as to best record the action that occurs. While normally this action is limited to speeches and voting, this room has been known to host violent fights. In fact, the room is no longer able to be locked by the inside so as to be better able to stop fights should they occur again.

After an action packed morning with various Taiwan governmental agencies such as the Legislative and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the groups went on their separate ways. Our group headed to National Taiwan University, NTU, the most prestigious university in Taiwan and the alma matter of our counselor, Roxy! Before walking through the gates of NTU though, we stopped to get some “Frog’s Egg Milk.” While the original place we were going to go was closed, the alternate was still delicious. As we strolled down Coconut Lane (a lovely wide avenue lined with coconut trees), we saw the infamous clock that rings 21 times to remind NTU students to study for 21 hours and to spend the remaining 3 in deep thought.

NTU has its own farms and at its other locations raises cows which it milks to make its famous ice cream. After sampling NTU’s frozen confectionaries, we strolled back to the outdoor market lined with food stalls. It was once again time for more food, but this time, dinner. We went to a charming restaurant that serves aboriginal Taiwanese cuisine—and also happens to have a stage and karaoke setup. As we enjoyed our food, we were also able to be entertained by the singing of our fellow group members. Chinese songs were most popular but two English songs were chosen. Unfortuantely, the musical stylings of Vincent and Lynelle weren’t properly highlighted as the “Love Story” that they assumed was by Taylor Swift turned out to be something rather different.

After dinner and karaoke, the group headed back to the hotel with most of its members falling asleep on the long subway trip back. Everyone had an amazing but exhausting time today and I’m sure they eagerly await tomorrow’s events, but before then, bed.