Looking Back on Formosa
Taipei
Having visited Taiwan in 2002 on a college educational trip and spending a couple of months in 2003 serving at an orphanage, it had been 3 years since I had last visited the beautiful island – Formosa. This past July was a great time of reuniting with old friends, meeting new friends, tasting some new flavors, and entering once again into the excitement and fascination of the Chinese culture. Since I studied in Beijing last year, I was able to communicate with many people in Mandarin; so, that definitely made my trip to Taiwan a lot more enjoyable this year. I was able to read signs, talk with people on the street, find my way around Taipei’s winding highways and byways, and talk with taxi drivers about more than just directions. It was also fun to visit with some of my classmates from college, as they are now living in Taiwan and studying the language and culture. God has a great way of bringing friends together in his timing! It was fun to meet some new friends, as my Chinese friend from college introduced me to her brother. He was very kind to pick me up from the airport, show me around Taipei, introduce me to his friends and family, and take me to some of the lesser known - but very tasty - small diners and restaurants around the city.
Ilan County, LoTung
After my week in Taipei, I took a 1.5hr train ride to LoTung, Taiwan. It’s a small city, famous for its dried fruit, cow-tongue shaped cakes, breathtaking scenery, black sand beaches, Turtle Island resting like a sleeping giant on the ocean’s horizon, beautiful mountains, the largest Taoist temple in Taiwan, and a small overlooked orphanage near MeiHua Lake. This is the same orphanage I served at in 2003, during my summer break from college. The founders and directors of the home have been serving there for close to 40years, raising children, helping orphans find a home with adoptive parents, and sharing love with those around them. I have learned much from the people there, and it was such an awesome experience to be there once again. It was great to get back into the daily grind at the home. Feeding babies, changing diapers (I only changed a few this time), eating together during meal times, learning to ride a scooter (which is totally fun and invigorating! I LOVE IT!), and just hanging out and talking about old times and what our Lord is doing in our lives. It was a great experience, and I treasure every moment I can spend with those friends.
Fare Thee Well...
Those last two weeks of July flew by, and before I knew it, I was on the plane to Hong Kong, which is only a 1.5hr flight from Taiwan. Looking down at Taiwan as the plane ascended into the clouds was bittersweet, leaving behind friends and familiar places and preparing for my next adventure in the Fragrant Harbor - Hong Kong...
Having visited Taiwan in 2002 on a college educational trip and spending a couple of months in 2003 serving at an orphanage, it had been 3 years since I had last visited the beautiful island – Formosa. This past July was a great time of reuniting with old friends, meeting new friends, tasting some new flavors, and entering once again into the excitement and fascination of the Chinese culture. Since I studied in Beijing last year, I was able to communicate with many people in Mandarin; so, that definitely made my trip to Taiwan a lot more enjoyable this year. I was able to read signs, talk with people on the street, find my way around Taipei’s winding highways and byways, and talk with taxi drivers about more than just directions. It was also fun to visit with some of my classmates from college, as they are now living in Taiwan and studying the language and culture. God has a great way of bringing friends together in his timing! It was fun to meet some new friends, as my Chinese friend from college introduced me to her brother. He was very kind to pick me up from the airport, show me around Taipei, introduce me to his friends and family, and take me to some of the lesser known - but very tasty - small diners and restaurants around the city.
Ilan County, LoTung
After my week in Taipei, I took a 1.5hr train ride to LoTung, Taiwan. It’s a small city, famous for its dried fruit, cow-tongue shaped cakes, breathtaking scenery, black sand beaches, Turtle Island resting like a sleeping giant on the ocean’s horizon, beautiful mountains, the largest Taoist temple in Taiwan, and a small overlooked orphanage near MeiHua Lake. This is the same orphanage I served at in 2003, during my summer break from college. The founders and directors of the home have been serving there for close to 40years, raising children, helping orphans find a home with adoptive parents, and sharing love with those around them. I have learned much from the people there, and it was such an awesome experience to be there once again. It was great to get back into the daily grind at the home. Feeding babies, changing diapers (I only changed a few this time), eating together during meal times, learning to ride a scooter (which is totally fun and invigorating! I LOVE IT!), and just hanging out and talking about old times and what our Lord is doing in our lives. It was a great experience, and I treasure every moment I can spend with those friends.
Fare Thee Well...
Those last two weeks of July flew by, and before I knew it, I was on the plane to Hong Kong, which is only a 1.5hr flight from Taiwan. Looking down at Taiwan as the plane ascended into the clouds was bittersweet, leaving behind friends and familiar places and preparing for my next adventure in the Fragrant Harbor - Hong Kong...
posted by StudentTeaching at 9:30 PM
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