Looking Back at Our Experience in Taiwan (our last photos)

Nick and Kristen write:

We are home! We have been back in the States for a bit of time now, and we are very happy to be home. This will be our last blog (until Nick gets sent to some God-forsaken place again, which hopefully won't be for awhile). Looking back at our time in Taiwan and Asia, there were so many good and bad things we experienced. However, we will always be grateful for our time there, and enjoyed the experience very much. Taiwan is one of the most beautiful countries in the world - the natural landscape is unbelievably picturesque and lovely. The culture is interesting and the people are friendly. We would recommend that everyone visit this island at one point in their lives.

The pictures we have posted are from various trips and occasions we experienced before we left, but didn't have time to post (a nearby, formal Japanese tea house; the Dragon Boat Festival at the end of May; a trip to the World Religion Museum; and some dinners & karaoke with friends).

There are many people and places in Taiwan that we will miss very much, as well as many different foods that we regretfully may never be able to try again. The memories will always be with us, and our time together was unforgettable.

Some of the things we will NOT miss are the:
- Crowded streets full of throngs of people (we now appreciate the spaciousness of the USA)
- The crazy washing machine in our apartment with Chinese characters that took all day to do two loads
- The loud recycling & garbage trucks playing Beethoven; often four of them at the same time
- The "unique" style of the Taiwanese youth
- Studying Chinese 24/7 with ruthless (yet knowledgeable) instructors :)
- The complete and utter absence of insulation, which makes Taiwan so cold in the winter
- Stray dogs
- Having our food choices be limited to Asian 90% of the time
- The same three or four channels on TV

However, some of the most beautiful and important things that we have taken away from this experience (and will never forget) are:
- The beauty of the wildlife and the mountains of Taiwan
- The exotic looking birds we would see from time to time
- The friendly nature of the Taiwanese people
- Taipei 101
- Danshui (the beautiful river and mountains and slow pace of life there)
- The interesting and difficult Chinese language
- Mapo Tofu, Gua Bao, pancake-like pastries filled with custard and red beans, and delicious Chinese bakery goods without tons of sugar!
- Inexpensive groceries and food
- Not having to leave a tip (in most cases)
- Recycling (Americans don't recycle anything compared to the Taiwanese. This is a lesson we will always remember and carry forward)
- The ability to explore other corners of Southeast Asia for only a few hundred dollars

As much as we do appreciate Taiwan, however, we are extremely happy to be home. Life back here is so different, but we really appreciate it so much more than before we left. The diversity of the American population, the diversity of food choices, the comfort of being home and not living out of a suitcase, and the wonderful luxury of being within a plane ride so close to family and friends. When Nick came home he said it was like being in a five-star hotel after nine months of relative deprivation!

The first thing we noticed about America when we got back was how expensive things had gotten while we were away. Groceries have become ridiculously expensive (more than before). At the same time, however, it doesn't seem that people have changed their spending habits in extreme ways. People seem to be shopping as much as ever.

We are glad to be home and hope to see some of our friends and family come visit us at home sometime soon! Until next time, happy travels!

Nick and Kristen

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