2012.08.08 - Swans and Masks
Our three day trip has officially begun!
Today, we got on the bus at around 6:30 AM (sigh) and drove about 2 hours to Taoyuan.
There, we went to look at some of Chiang Kai Shek's statues. It was interesting, but way too unbearably hot to actually enjoy. It was only around 9 AM and I could feel the sweat rolling down my back. Ugh.
Military-bred swans... I found it interesting. They were really pretty, though.
The plaza outside Chiang Kai Shek's coffin.
We actually got to see his coffin, which was... interesting. I didn't know that we were even going to see his coffin, so I didn't know what I was in line for until I actually saw it. The walk and the glance was so short that I just shrugged it off and moved on.
(Chiang Kai Shek moved to Taiwan from China and helped form the Republic of China [A.K.A Taiwan]).
Afterwards, we took about another hour to go to a LaoJie (Old Street), but not the one in Danshui. This one was closer to Nantou, which is located in the middle of Taiwan, whereas Danshui is near the very top of Taiwan.
The walk was brutal.
There was a lot of cool architecture, especially by the temples.
There were birds, as well.
Peace Old Street.
Sadly, I couldn't fully enjoy today because I had a lot of problems. I got another mosquito bite on the back of my leg (the other one this time) and it's swelling up. I went to the doctor yesterday to get medicine and so I hope I'll be okay for this trip, but I'm still uncertain about my condition. I also had some... Mother Nature problems visiting me today, so I had stomach and back pains all day, accompanied with some digestion problems. If I wasn't sitting on the bus and sleeping, I was in pain. So, I couldn't take in too much of the scenery because all I wanted to do was get over it and get on the bus to sleep.
(Despite the pain, I got ice cream. It was too hot, I couldn't help myself.)
(It was 40 NT and melting as I was taking the picture, but worth it!)
Afterwards was lunch! As you can imagine, I didn't eat much. The food that was mass-produced for over 200 students wasn't the best, and was covered in oil and was just unappetizing. The pain kept hitting me and going away, so every time I felt better, it was only a matter of time before I was hurting again.
Anyways, after dinner, we went to go paint some wooden masks. I made my own design and didn't have much time to pain it, so it looks a bit plain because I didn't add much detail. I'm prouder of it than my other mask that I painted a few weeks ago, though! That counts for something.
After the painting, we went to a place well known for its wood carvings. It's a cute little town with tourist attraction shops, but nothing special. I had some good ice cream, but that didn't cooperate with my stomach, so I just kind of... stood there in pain. Oh yeah, my skin reacted to something as well and I got hives on my face. Not a pretty look.
Got pictures, though!
After that, we went to a really popular and big night market in Taichung/Taizhong. I think it's called 豐原廟東夜市? It was pretty fun, Nelly and I got some earrings and I got a denim jacket that has to do with mustaches (I have a thing for novelty moustaches) and some long pants (finally.. though they're not jeans). I wish we could go back; I'm almost used to how Shilin looks so this new night market was pretty fun. We weren't giving much time, either... next time, I want to make a stop at Taizhong!
Then, we went to our hotel called 正豪大飯店. It's not the best hotel room ever, but alright. I'm staying with Michelle and two other girls from A1. I'm not used to giving translations, I'm more used to receiving them, but I could get used to the change.
Haha, ignore my sleeping roommates.
Tomorrow, we have to wake up pretty early (not as early as today though, thank God) to eat breakfast and get our luggages packed. Hopefully, my pain will be gone by tomorrow and I can fully enjoy the day. I really, really hope so. Wish me luck!
