Well, it is safe to say that the last few days have been a little crazy. I had my going away party and that was really fun but also overwhelming. I am use to going to a party and sitting in the corner with some of the other introverts. This one everyone was there for me so it was exhausting to go around and make sure everyone had time to chat with me. It's not that I didn't love seeing everyone, but the next day I had half the day to myself which was much needed.
To anyone who came to my party, this message is for you:
Thank you so much for coming out to see me and spend any time you could with me. It really meant a lot to me to know that you care enough to hang out all day or even just a few minutes. Thank you for the kind and encouraging words. The notes I read on the plane really helped and were very dear to me. I love you all and know that I have a great support system.
I didn't sleep very well at all the night before I left. I had an emotional good bye to my family and friends so when it was time to go to bed I laid in my bed wide awake with a puffy face and swollen eyes. I got maybe four hours of sleep before I had to get up to go to the airport. I didn't fly out of Seatac Airport like normal because it was about $100 cheaper to go to Vancouver BC's airport and fly out of there (the perks of living near the Canadian border). I had 4 friends who were kind enough to dive me up there and see me off. Lots of tears but that was to be expected.
I generally like airports, but I haven't been to the Vancouver airport before so it was definitely different. After being disoriented for a bit I found my way and had a couple of very helpful employees help me out. When I went through security it was so much easier than going through TSA let me tell you! First of all I didn't have to take my shoes off, and all they wanted me to take out was my laptop. My carry on did get pulled aside to get inspected though...but it looks like they did that to a lot of other people's bags. Turns out when I was furiously packing I forgot to pack my sewing kit with my checked bags instead of my carry on because I left my fabric scissors in there...oops! I gladly parted with them...they weren't that good of a pair anyway.
When I got onto the plane the guy who was on the aisle seat was very kind and put my carry on into the overhead compartment for me and the whole flight did not mind getting up for me when I had to use the restroom. He was nice. 10/10 would sit with him again. The woman who was sitting in the middle got up and changed seats to sit with her boyfriend (?) about an hour into the flight so basically I didn't have anyone sitting next to me. It was sweeeeeeeeeeeet. I also got 2 hot meals, snacks, drinks, and a cold sandwich. Everything was pretty good. I watched 3 movies that were very airplane worthy. Daddy's Home 2 (not as funny as the first), Ready Player One (disappointing to someone who read the book), and Jumanji (the new one. Fun to watch but isn't comparable to the first). Overall the flight was actually pretty quick for being about 12 hours.
After I cleared through customs there was a man waiting for me with my name and he got me into a car that was waiting for me. He then took me to my hotel. The last time I flew into Taiwan it was dark so I didn't get to see the drive into the city. It was so beautiful! Very lush and green so that made me happy. I got dropped off at my hotel which is on a very busy street. It is humid and hot...no surprise. My hotel room is literally the length of my bed and double it's width. The bathroom is then half that size. Everything is quite nice though...however there is no window as the hotel is sandwiched between two other buildings. Pretty typical. I took a lie down but had to convince myself that I need to get up and go look for food at around 5pm.
After all the travel I really wasn't in the mood to go wandering around a city I didn't know to find food I didn't recognize and deal with people I couldn't communicate with. However the struggle of hunger and dehydration quickly convinced me that I needed to get out. I wandered around within 2 blocks for a bit and found a really pretty park. On the way back I found a meat pie vendor (of which I used the magic that is pointing to get my food) and a 7 Eleven to get some food. I ate everything in my hotel room, took a shower, and then couldn't stay up any longer. I went to bed at 7pm.
I woke up at midnight and again at 4a, then finally gave up and got up officially at 6a. I had a pounding headache and my eyes ached so much. I had to wait until 8a for the hotel breakfast to open, but once it did I pulled myself together and went to figure that stuff out. All I got to say is this...America, figure out your deal with complimentary breakfasts, because Taiwan has it figured out. I got dim sum, fruit, a little chocolate pastry thing, and green tea. It was great! I got to sit at the window and people watch. Afterwards I wandered around some more and found many bakerys and coffee shops. I got a savory pastry and sat in the park I found yesterday. I attempted to do an instagram live video but i was told it was choppy and gross so...eh. That may not work in the future.
At this point I have been sitting in my hotel room writing this and skyping with a few people. If you would like to skype with me hit me up and I'll give you that info. Now I need to find something to eat...I am wondering that because the hotel's "breakfast" goes until 2pm if that means I can go there for lunch too. We will find out...or I'll get too embarrassed and just go find a small place to eat. I wish I had a kitchen so I can just make something...but no. Taipei is a very eat out kind of city. Luckily everything is pretty cheap unless you want to get more western style foods. There is a Starbucks across the street but I am not that desperate. After lunch I have to meet up with my school and learn about what is going to happen in the next couple of days. Wish me luck!
