Back to the Motherland

Today, I came back to Shanghai after a whole week in Taipei. The best part of the whole trip was being able to see my family almost everyday and hanging out with them as if I'd never been gone. I'm really sad to go, but I enjoyed the time I had with them!

The whole week we were in Taipei, we went to lectures everyday and an excursion trip after every class. The whole week was educating, but I wish we had more time to explore the city in groups. However, I did manage to learn a lot about Taiwan's history, economy, politics, religion and lifestyle than I had known from previous knowledge.

Our program signed us up to stay at the Holiday Inn near Mao Kong, Mu Zha in Taipei. It was such a nice hotel! We slept three to a room, and I roomed with Laverne and Wendy. The beds were so comfortable that I wish we could have brought the mattresses back to our hard-wood Fudan dorm beds.

My family is doing well, and I got to see my Dad! I also got to see my aunt from the States, which was pretty cool because she'd set up her vacation trip so that we could meet in Taiwan (see pictures below).

I think the whole group consensus of Taiwan was that the societal behavior, culture and people are a whole lot nicer than that of Shanghai's. I couldn't agree more. I don't think I ever seriously made a comparison between Shanghai and Taiwan before, just because I had lived in Taipei and I know that it's my favorite place in the whole wide world. But, ever since living in Shanghai and experiencing the lifestyle of a Chinese person, then going back to Taipei, I saw a visible difference between the two societies. People in Taipei are generally more polite and nicer than people of Shanghai. Taipei is also cleaner (subway systems, buses, the streets, other miscellaneous shops). My friends say that Taipei as a whole, is more Westernized than Shanghai... but this is one trait that I couldn't really see. I guess it's because I have family in Taiwan, and they aren't very Westernized.

But, now, it's back to life in Shanghai. I have 43 days left here before I go back to the States... it makes me really sad to have to leave my friends and experience here, but a part of me can't wait to go home for the holidays. For now, I'll just have to dream about a California winter (it's getting REALLY cold in Shanghai!)... and snuggle up in my blankets! Enjoy my pictures from Taiwan.


Lucho, Phil and I eating lunch in the food court of a mall (delicious-ness!)


Jess, Laverne and I reppin' the TW!


My cousin Cathy's cat, Da Lu To (Big Lotto)


My cousin (Barbie) and I. She's morbidly obese =/


English class at an elementary school near Cheng Chi University


Eli, Abe and Scott at the middle school near Cheng Chi University


Me with my aunt Man Lan in Taipei, eating Shabu Shabu


Walking up the stairs to the National Palace Museum (Gu Gong Museum). It was SO hot that day


Eating at a small eatery that Laverne's aunt took us to


View from the 89th floor of the Taipei 101 at night (much more beautiful at night than during the daytime)


Laverne, me and Wendy on top of the 101


The 101 at night


Laverne, Michele and I at a lecture


My cousin, Cathy and I eating at Mo Mo Paradise


Hanging out at Babe after watching 007: Quantum of Solace


Cheers!


At Jing Gua Shi (a former gold mine)


Dinner with Eli and my family the night before I went back to Shanghai


Me and my Daddy =)