One Night on a Mountain Top Near Wulai
“So this one night on a mountain top near Wulai…” is not something I thought I’d ever say, much less do. But I can, because I did. It was a night that had my inner biologist geek jumping up and down in excitement. As much as one can jump at 3am, while resting on a…
A Piece of My Heart Lives in Taiwan
I’ve tried writing this particular piece many times since returning from my adventure on the other side of the world. Why has it been so hard to nail word to page? Why have I avoided it? If I’m honest, it’s because a piece of my heart now lives in Taiwan. I struggle with the fact…
To Walk In Someone Else’s Shoes
One of my purposes in coming to Taiwan is to walk in someone else’s shoes. More particular, in the shoes of international students. What’s it like to live in a country different from the one in which you grew up? What are the struggles? What’s it like to be a minority? So my month stay…
Taiwan’s Urban Wilderness
One thing that amazes me about Taipei and New Taipei City is how closely urban and wilderness coexist with one another. I’ve started calling it Taiwan’s Urban Wilderness. These cities sit in a bowl formation ringed by mountains on the north end of the island. The transition from relatively buildable ground to the steep side…
East Asian Beauty
I have always thought East Asians are one of the most beautiful ethnic groups. In my opinion, the shape of their eyes, lift of their cheekbones, smoothness of their skin, and darkness of their hair make them easy to look at. A Random Act of Kindness Today I was witness to how beautiful they can…
Welcome to Taiwan
Two days ago I unfolded myself from a 13 hour flight and walked into the humid heat that is summer in Taiwan. At 7:30 pm, and with the sun having set an hour prior, my exit from the airport still felt like walking into a sauna. Welcome to Taiwan! Welcome to Taiwan, Little Raccoon! And…
Taiwandering to Taiwan
Taiwan or Bust Taiwan. The other side of the planet. The flip side. The opposite side. The converse, inverse, and obverse of my little universe. Said little universe is about to get a lot bigger, because Taiwan is where Chloe and I are heading. I was hoping that typing it out made it less surreal,…