Asia's best kept secret…

The thought of leaving Taiwan does not fill me with joy. This has been my home for the past 2 years and I’ve built a nice life here. Each day when I walk down the lane, past the temple, past Tonghua street, to Anhe, I’m filled with a deep sense of satisfaction. “So this is what Utopia feels like,” I think. No, life in a foreign country is not without its struggles but, as I see the little shops, and people buying baozi (filled dumplings) at the corner stand, the office workers in their identical “uniforms” (black pants/white shirt for men, black skirt/white shirt for women), the children holding their parent’s hands, people walking their dogs, I feel happy.*

-the sounds of the city, traffic rushing by but steering clear not to hit anyone
-the guy from the sports shop walking his long-haired dachshunds
-the noodle shop guy across the road who always tries to get me to buy his food
-the temple guy missing teeth, who smiles and waves at me as I walk down the hallway to the apartment
-the Thursday morning monks, chanting
-the painted utility cabinets
-how safe it is here
-how friendly and helpful most people are
-delivery/repair people showing up when they say they will
-the adorable Taiwanese children
-how convenient everything is
-incredible customer service
-7-11’s!!
-Chinglish
-guava slices with plum powder
-dragonfruit, rose apples
-Taiwan “ice cream”
-Eslite 24-hour bookstore
-free samples in magazines
-the night markets
-the day markets
-safe, affordable public transportation
-affordable and professional dental work!
-the sight of Taipei 101, lit up, rising up to greet me as I walk home at night
-how “official” photos are photoshopped to make us all look better!
-sheng li, the everything store
-the guangfu flower market
-the jade market
-the public library’s English book section
-people wearing masks when they’re not feeling 100%, so as not to infect anyone
-oolong tea
-plum vinegar from Cama coffee
-working out at NTUE
-Minder’s vegetarian buffet
-Wu Laoshi (he paints rocks)
-Li Laoshi (she has the patience of Job)
-Palmer’s crazy movie nights
-fifteen pizza
-Boite de Bijou
-Whalen’s
-the Dior peeps
-the weddings!
-all the friends I’ve made at work, the Community Services Center, InterNations, and Toastmasters (TMTM, Taipei Metro. Prestige, FEIB)
-my “Taiwande haize”: Raymond, Nick, and Victoria
-Gomer, Vita Lin, the 2013 Welfare Committee
-Volker, Victor, Steven
-Najia, Becky, Sophia, Queen (best tattoo artist in Taipei), Yaya, Sharon, Sue, Kalla

I love you guys and miss you already!

* I have a slew of additional posts to add, so please check back.