Today we moved to another area so I had to say goodbye to my first host family. They were great and of course had a gift for me. (Alisha just get over it now because yes the gifts are going to keep coming. If you are nice maybe I will share.) I was met at the exchange point by Jill (daughter of my new host family.) Her father is named Adidas because he owns the plant that makes all the Adidas and Nike shoes and gear. He owns a plant in Taiwan and China.
We went to a vocational high school. You are never going to believe what you can take as electives (bar tending, hotel maid prep, culinary, acupuncture, makeup and hair design, etc.) We were greeted by the dragon team. The ones who do the dragon shows - they let us put on the dragon costumes and dance around. Then we checked out the school. One floor of the school has a bunch of hotel rooms and the kids practice changing sheets, vacuuming, etc. In the bartending class the kids learn how to flip bottles and make drinks in an artistic way. (Of course they made drinks for the rest of the team.) While at the school the kids would grab their cameras and have to come and get photos with us and of us. The girls were smitten with Seth.
I am starting to feel like a celebrity. I get shuttled around in new BMWs and Mercedes, get my photo taken every time I turn around by a Rotarian, everyone stares at me and I get a gift everywhere I go. No complaints here.
At lunch of course we had lobster and a new fish item, baby fried fish. (They are smaller than goldfish and you eat them hole. They are little the littlest fish you can buy in the pet store.)
This afternoon we went out to the Cracker Plant. No they don't make crackers - it is the name of a process they use to build up land. It is a land expansion project. The whole campus in on land that used to be water. They have a refinery and a bunch of other stuff. While we were there we met up with the GSE team visiting the south Taiwan rotary district. Come to find out one of their team members got drunk (this is what they believe caused the event) wandered out of the hotel (they are staying in hotels and not homes) and fell of a mountain. He was out there all night and was barely alive when they found him. So they spent a whole day looking for him and in the emergency room. So half of their team is in the hospital on rotations looking out for him and the other half goes on the tours. What is it is team members going to Taiwan and doing preventable things?
We also went to a Rice plant. They grow, harvest and process rice. Of course they gave us some rice to take home. It has to be about 5 lbs. My luggage is getting heavier by the day.
Tonight we gave a presentation and had an interpreter. She would stop and have to tell us little stories about similar things during our presentation. It was rough but at least the people understood as this group seems to have less English speakers.
My host family lives in what I would call a condo complex. They have a 4 story house. The parents do not speak English so Jill is my interpreter. Tomorrow morning we are walking up at 5:30 to "hike" the mountain. I have a feeling it is more like a nice up heel walk but we will see.
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2 comments:
So so so so so so much fun! Yeah you'd better share your gifts! :) After all, I am your number one fan who checks your blog every day, and comments! How cool you are staying with Mr. Adidas! (hey I could use some new running shoes...size 8 or 8 1/2 will work) ;) As far as being a celebrity, maybe you are! Did you bring a whole maybe two extra suitcase just for the gifts? Cool beans going to the rice plant. Everyone loves rice! The cracker plant or whatever it was sounded interesting too! What in the world is up with all the stupid things people are doing? Not having a valid passport, getting drunk and walking off cliffs, I mean come on! Good thing my sis is a smart cookie and won't get into any trouble! I told B's Gram you were in Tawain and she said, oh is she looking for a husband there (totally kidding of course!) and I said yah, he just might be 2 feet shorter than she is..hehe! It sounds like you are SUPER busy but having a blast! I'm sure they will keep you busy but hey...you don't really need time to go siteseeing because they are taking you, and they have given you all the souvenirs so you don't need to buy any! Anyways, have so much fun, and keep posting when you can!
Now I will admit that Alisha is the one posting the comments everyday however she is not the only one reading your blog. I'm interested in hearing about your "hike".
Like Alisha, I too am jealous. Even though I don't think I could do all the "fish" eating remember I have eaten a live beetle. That should count for something. As for the gifts -- don't plan on sharing with me. Just seeing you in May will be present enough. (Share with your younger sister -- she puts up with a lot. Yes, I read her blog too.)
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