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Published: October 4th 2015
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Central Park
Central Park is always sensational at night. Kristen and Brett particularly enjoyed the colored walkway. On our return from our 19 day holiday trip to China and Northern Thailand, Linda's first day of school was in the new building. How exciting! They didn't get much work done as the students and faculty settled into their new surroundings.
On Tuesday, April 21st, Linda's daughter Kristen and her boyfriend Brett arrived. Brett was to spend 2 weeks, and Kristen was doing a shortened international teaching internship at KAS. She had finished her Education classes and internship by mid April, and took time and opportunity to join Linda at her school for a month before returning to Saskatoon to convocate.
Maurice, Kristen and Brett did some sightseeing in Kaohsiung and visited Linda at school a few times. Then on the weekend, we were off to Hualien, taking a late afternoon train. We went to the wrong train station (lost in translation) and were lucky enough to go on the next train, an hour later than expected. We did not have assigned seating, however, so we ended up playing cards on the floor between the train cars. It turned out better than we expected, and after a few hours we were able to fill vacated seats as a
Love River
One evening, we scootered to Love River to show Brett and Kristen more of the sights that make Kaohsiung such a pretty city. few passengers disembarked at stops along the way.
We toured Brett and Kristen through the scenic area by hiring a taxi for the day. This was our second trip there, and were getting to know the best ways of seeing the most in a short period of time. The taxi driver had some English and took us to the best sights for the entire day. The driver dropped us off at the night market just as the rain began. Brett almost cooked inside his plastic rain cover and decided that an umbrella was much better way to keep dry. We tried various food from the stalls in the market. Then we walked until we found some more places to eat and shop at. After some much needed shoe shopping we made our way back to the hotel. We made sure to be at the station on time for the ride home Sunday afternoon, arriving home around 9PM.
Monday April 27th, Kristen hopped on a scooter with Linda and began her internship. The students loved her! Kristen and Linda proceeded to work together in a classroom. Brett and Maurice spent the week touring the sights in and around Kaohsiung.
The Culinary Delights of Kaohsiung
There are so many wonderful places to dine here in Kaohsiung. Brett quickly became very comfortable on the scooter. Kristen began practicing her scooter driving after school by circling the block a few times every evening.
Saturday morning, May 2nd, Chris and Annie, our good friends, lent us their car for our trip to Kenting and Nanwan Beach. We had an interesting drive as this was the first time Maurice drove and Linda navigated in Taiwan. We spent the day Saturday with Darron and his wife Grace. Darron, formerly from Regina now teaches English at a Taiwanese school in Pingtung while Grace, an aboriginal Taiwanese, works as an EA at Linda's school. As usual, we had a great time with them. On Sunday, we left at noon and visited the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium on our way home. What an incredible facility! Brett and Kristen were very impressed and saw many species of marine life for the first time in their lives.
On Monday, Brett and Maurice went to the school for a farewell and lunch. He caught his 3PM flight for his return back to Saskatoon.
Kristen was able to experience what our lives are like living here in Taiwan, working during the day,
The New School
Everyone is very happy to be in the new facility. This was an art class that made 'gladiator costumes' and then battled for the schools viewing pleasure. homework most evenings, and socializing with friends and colleagues. On the following weekend, the girls attended a writer's workshop sponsored by the school. It turned out to be very educational and beneficial for both of them. Saturday the 16th, we scootered to Dongang an hour away and took the scooters with us on the 30 minute ferry to Liuchiu Island. We spent the day touring around the tiny island, enjoying the sights, then returning to Kaohsiung in the evening. We spent Sunday with our Russian friends, swimming and dining.
Then Kristen was able to spend time in other classrooms at the school. Observing how other teachers worked and broadening her experience in an international school setting. Lulu and her parents took us to her uncle's lychee farm on Saturday morning, and we got to view and experience an authentic Taiwanese orchard farm.
On Monday May 25th, Kristen and Maurice lunched at the school with Linda. Then headed to the airport for the long flight back to Canada.
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