Peter Pan finally grew up.
I met Peter Pan two weeks ago. No kidding! I was in Taiwan two weeks ago and left my luggage with the hostel employee. I asked his name, he gave me a card in Chinese and said “Wo xing Pan” (I am Mr. Pan). He wrote down his English name since I can’t read Chinese: Peter. I asked, “You are Peter Pan?” He said yes. “Really? You are Peter Pan?!” He nodded, without a clue why I was grinning. Ironic still, he is the manager of the China Youth Corps. Haha.
Taiwanese people are the nicest! Nalaos ang Pinoy Hospitality. Walang sinabi ang Thais. Taiwanese people are the most helpful bunch. Strangers go out of their way to help you. It started in the plane, I was seated between two Taiwanese, Muriel and Martin, who drew maps and gave me tips on what buses to ride and how much taxis cost. Muriel even gave me financial advice (”Don’t make the same mistake as me. Save. Invest. Now!” and her number in case I need help in Taiwan.
I also got a free art class. At the YMCA I saw cutesy clay characters made of a different kind of modelling clay. Just my luck, they have on-going classes! But it’s for 8 weekends and I only have one day. So I asked if I can please, please just observe. But the teacher is so nice, she even gave me materials so I can do it too! For free! The adult class was not on, so I attended the kiddie class where my classmates were 4-6 years old. I felt like Will Ferrel in “Elf”.
I went to Taiwan to attend the wedding of my foster sister, Kelly. 14 years ago I stayed at their place for 3 weeks as an exchange student. She mentioned that the next time we’ll meet would probably at a wedding. I said, Noooooo. Then I got an email from her that she’s getting married. So I went. I was excited to meet her again but I wasn’t all that excited about Taiwan because, well, what is there to see in Taiwan? They have boring buildings and politicians who turn congress into a boxing ring. Plus it’s soooo much hassle to get a visa. I have to go to HK to get a visa application as there’s no Taiwan embassy nor consulate in China because, as my Shanghainese officemate said, “Oh course not. It’s not a country.”
But the taiwanese really made my trip worthwhile. Their being friendly and helpful should be highlighted by their tourism advertising. When I was in Hsin Chu City, I couldn’t find the night market and asked directions from restaurant staff by the door. They gave me the name of the place, the same place I’ve been circling around but see nothing but the food market. Then one took his scooter and said, “Wo zai ni qi” (I’ll bring you there.) The salespeople are also very nice, such contrast to Shanghai’s market where they curse you like crazy. They are also very genuine. When I tried on jeans and asked for other designs, the lady said “that’s all that can fit you. You lose weight first and come back.” haahahaha.
(Incidentally, the 2 jeans I bought which fit perfectly in Taiwan was sliding down my butt when I came back. Our taitai officemate Krystie gave this tip: Buy pants half a size smaller when abroad. For some reason, travelling or maybe flying makes us a bit bloated. So pants that feels a tad snug will fit perfectly when you get back. She’s spent her whole life travelling and shopping so I believe her.)
While in Hsin Chu, I also went to the wet market and met the nicest couple who makes fresh lumpia skin. I’ve never seen the wrapper being made before so I was fascinated. I went back the morning before I left and Mr. Wang even taught me how to make the skin! He made it look so easy, but it was tough. After doing 5 totally useless wrappers I just helped him peel and stack the good ones. I bought half a kilo (since there’s none in shanghai) and he accepted my old taiwan money from 14 years ago. It’s useless now unless you change it in the bank, but he said it’s so old he’ll keep it as a remembrance. Then he gave me a pack of ground peanuts for the lumpia. Then he bought me lumpia so I can taste and see what’s inside so I can recreate in shanghai! Then, he bought me papaya shake. I was sooo embarrassed. I felt I had to give something in exchange but I have nothing. Then “Ting! Aha! May idea ako!” I got paper and drew them. Mr. Wang making his lumpia. And Mrs. Wang’s caricature posing like a beauty queen. They seemed happy. I was happy.
Shopping is fab in Hsin Chu. Shoes shoes and shoes galore! Shanghai, HK, Phils all sell China goods. But Taiwan sell Taiwan goods and they look different. And cheap. There are korean and japanese shops too that sell reasonably priced wares. I spent 3x my shopping budget. The street food in taiwan is fab but I didn’t get to try much coz i had to choose whether to use my money to eat or to shop. Of course I chose to shop! I just made do with my biscuits.
Shopping was so good that during the day-long wedding I couldn’t get the shoes out of my head. And the morning before my flight I had to go back to the market and wait for the shoe shop to open. They had an apple green suede from Spain on sale (NT 5000++ to 2500) and a Japanese inverted high heel sandals used to stretch your calves (NT1380). They don’t accept USD nor RMB so I have to run to the bank to have it exchanged. Still, after bringing out all my NT dollars, I was short of NT200 and started to use charm to get me additional discount. They finally relented. And then, the owner said the hotel is so far, he even drove me back!
It wasn’t all that far, maybe 20min walk max. But apparently, taiwanese can’t walk. They drive scooters even if it’s a short distance. So they give me free rides. Cool! The bride was surprised I took rides from strangers, but it was daytime in busy streets and it feels right (like they would be insulted if i didn’t accept it). And if I’m uncomfy at any point I can easily hop out. She said in Hsin Chu everyone’s nice so it’s okay, but in Taipei people are less nice.
I disagree. The taipei people I’ve met are very nice too. Maybe I was lucky. But all I remember from my trip 14 years ago was that taiwanese people are super duper nice. And they reconfirmed it this time. This is definitely not the last time I’m visiting Taiwan.
