My Time In Taidong

So, for chinese New year, I spent two weeks in Taidong with another family there. It was absolutely amazing.
The weather was splendid. It rained only one day I was there.
My family lent me a bike, so i could go virtually anywhere in the city I wanted at any given time (within curfew of course!).My family was very nice, at mostly vegetarian, and even gave me one of their old phones when dropped mine in the ocean feeding the invisible fish.7 exhcange students were invited to stay in taiwan over Chinese NewYears, and while we were there, we were taught how to make noodles, got to see some of the mountains and flowers, spent a good bit of time at the beach, and even got treated to (my first) visit to a Hot Spring.
It was definitely a great trip, although the actual Chinese New Years wasnt a big event for the family i was staying with.
Even so, this trip really refreshed my love for Taiwan.
The winter season was starting to get to me in Taipei, with the cold rain every day and monotony at school.
I was able to refresh myself, get some vitamin C, and relax.

I hope to be fortunate enough to see Taidong again, and perhaps see the Green Island, which is great for snorkling and wildlife. ^^

As Opposed to Christmas.

Christmas eve....
A Wednsday, so we had all day culture class.
They (meaning the University Staff) put on a mini-chinese opera for us. They also made us lunch.
The afternoon we had caligraphy class, where we made our own stamps. I will admit that my "nube" didn't look superb, but it was a lot of fun.

As most of you know, Christmas is not a big holiday in Taiwan. So, as a kind of "Ode to Home" a group of about 13 of us YEP exchangees (Lara, Carlos, Memito, Jesús, Me, Constantin, Ayaka, Shane, Leo, Freya, Coline, and Thomas) ate a big Christmas dinner together.



Then, on Christmas, I had chinese class in the morning, and regular school in the afternoon. A few of my taiwanese classmates invited me and my friend, Mau, to hang out with them in Danshui. I can honestly say that so far has been my best experience with Taipei students. We walked around by the river and set off fireworks.
I regrettably didnt take any pictures, but it was bunches of funn.