Run Run Run

Last Sunday I found myself on the starting line of a marathon looking across at two men from Kenya. I decided a little earlier in the year that studying abroad wasn't hard enough. So I convinced my friend that we should run a marathon. In all honesty our training was rather poorly planned and had to be changed around all the duties required by us as exchange students. In between nasty weather, sickness, and trips, we were able to get a few two hour runs and a couple 20 mile runs. 

The marathon was....well it was a lot of running. There really aren't any big hits or last minute goals in marathons. There were plenty of rest stations, that included water, sponges, sports drinks, bananas, and crackers which are known as cookies here. Needless to say I was severely disappointed after I discovered my marathon energy fuel was salty and not sweet but sweat has to be replaced.  At the start of the Marathon my friend Dan and I claimed to be having the most fun and believe me when I say we were. We didn't have a time goal, and in fact our main objective was to finish. After about 10 miles the race "stopped being so much fun" however it still wasn't challenging or torture. At the 18 mile mark things started to look a little ruff and thats when we hit our wall. Legs started to cramp and energy levels dropped. Luckily the race had started early in the day because the sun decided to make a surprise appearance that day. Unfortunately Dan and I both forgot sunscreen. We both ended up with red arm sleeves and pink cheeks the next day. 

Upon reaching the last mile of our marathon it became clear that we were going to finish. Ending in high spirits we both raced across the finish line giving out hoots and hollers. After finishing our we received our  medals, towel, and lunch box. Lunch was good and ending in with a time of 4 hours and 50 minutes wasn't reason for disappointment but rather a reason to celebrate.  Watching and running with world class marathoners was a pleasure and a thrill. The man who finished first ran a 2 hour 18 minute marathon! 

All that running and sun tired me out, and after hobbling home and rising in the shower, I passed out on my bed for several hours without moving an inch. I woke up and cooked some fried rice for dinner, which was delicious. With a full belly and tired legs I was ready for a good nights sleep however that never came, and for some odd reason I had my first night of poor sleep in Taipei. 

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runnin

My friend Dan da Man and me after the marathon. 

On the Road Again

The weather in Taipei has cleared up and today it was actually hot. It felt wonderful, and recently life has taken some more turns. A little less than a week ago I found myself changing families again. I knew it was coming yet I didn't want it to happen. I had grown into a great relationship with my second host family. Memories of my time spent at the  何's house are many and none of them spoiled. 

In between the hectic school weeks and travels I would often sit at home with my host mother and just read and talk to her. At breakfast we would start with coffee, as the day moved on we would change our drinks to different cups of tea, each new beverage brought about a new conversation and in the silent spaces the words in our books would keep us company. Towards the end of my stay I realized I hadn't learned how to cook a single dish my host mom prepared and this devastated me because, she is the best cook I know. I'm not exaggerating, she could cook and I loved it all. So towards the end of my stay she taught me how to cook green veggies, tofu, and some pork dishes. I should have learned more and I find it hard to believe that I now prefer my lettuce cooked and my pork with an inch of fat surrounding it.

My host father would wake me up everyday and so kindly make me breakfast. To start it was odd, and I was really uncomfortable because I think the last time somebody made me breakfast on a regular basis was when I was in the third grade. On the sunny weekends he would take me out to the country side for bike rides, letting me blow of some steam while taking in the more scenic side of Taiwan at the same time. For my bike trip, he was the one who made sure my bike was in order and the one who lent me biking shorts. 

After packing all my belongings we took some family pictures outside by the blooming cherry blossom trees. My new host family is nice and my living quarters are great too. My new host parents are busy people and put in a lot of work. I usually share my dinners with my new host grandmother who loves to watch me eat, and reminds me that the food here is better than it is in America. There's no fooling her either, when I caught a cold this weekend she wanted me to take medicine. I generally put of taking medicine but she insisted and she knew I was going to try and skirt out of it. 

I would like to thank the  何 family for all that they have done for me. They didn't just house me and feed me, they took me in as their own and gave me a family. I hope one day I can give them as much as they gave me. Thank you  何 family. 

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Green Island

The past weeks have brought some surprises including a glimpse at the sun. I still find myself in class day dreaming of my days in Taidong for Chinese New Year. The last weekend I was there seven of my friends and one of their host mom's took us out to the Green Island.  The coral reefs and tranquil blue water surrounding Green Island that usually attracts tourists seemed to have a paradoxical affect. The island was devoid of hoards of tourists and tourist shops, which meant it was my kind of island. Still rugged around the edges the only mode of transportation on Green Island is motor scooters. Without hesitation my friends and I all claimed to be skilled scooter drivers. Unfortunately my scooter lacked brakes, a tragic fault that latter led to one of my fine memories on the island. The island itself is relatively small and only takes an hour to get around.

The one hour boat trip to the island left the only foreigners hysterical and ready to be sick. Nestled in the middle of the enclosed seating area my friends and I witnessed the first casualty be escorted to the back of the boat with a bag over her mouth. That was just the beginning and soon everyone to our left and right were getting sick which included a dog that happened to spill his treats on his owners foot. With poor air circulation the boat started to smell worse than any farm I've been on. After that terrifying hour we were ready to get started since our time was short. 

Our day started off with a tour to all the sightseeing spots which included a prison used during Taiwan's White Terror. After touring the island, soaking in sunlight and enjoying our new freedom of motor scooters we started to prepare for the coral reef. Even a wet-suit couldn't keep me from freezing while I was in the mild Pacific Ocean. The reef was incredible and the colors of the fish eye-popping. A short ride on the motor-scooters left us back where we started. A photo-shoot with a lonely goat sounded like a great idea at the time until it turned out it didn't appreciate me or the camera and chose to pursue the closer of the two. Escaping any scrapes or bruises then, my luck would soon run out. 

On a scooter ride my friend was at the wheel and about to pull out from the parking position. Instead of heading for the road he was directed to hit a tree. Mistaking the gas for the gas for the breaks we increased our speed towards our undesirable definition while I screamed his name at increasingly high and loud intervals. 

Seconds later we were both of the motor scooter and the road, frazzled my friend attempted to pull the unwilling scooter onto the road only to give it a rush of gas and send it out into the middle. Spilled oranges from under our scooter's seat spilled everywhere adding effect. 

This was the first of several attacks on my well being by this certain friend of mine.  After some kicks to the stomach and kicking in a bathroom door he was kind enough to wake me up with his drool for our early morning outing. At four in the morning I found myself rubbing my eyes wondering why I didn't sleep more. My friend from Ecuador nervously paces as we try to find the missing scooter keys which are found in the Texan's cowboy boots. Our band of exchange students and single host mom venture out to the other side of the island under the banner of stars that are never present in Taipei. Our eastward destination places in perfect position to view the rising sun, and I couldn't be more comfortable in the toasty warm hot springs with my friends from around the world. 

For now though I sit in class and dream of stars and sun while I watch Taipei's constant rain drip down the classroom windows. 

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