The thing that everyone should know about Taiwan

The thing everyone should know about Taiwan is that Taiwanese people are proud of their food! “proud” is not enough to describe. They eat and eat and eat, like never get enough. Yesterday I went with some Taiwanese guys to Keelung, than to Jiuofen – they ate about 5 times? Not only fast sandwich but full lunch. Weather was nasty so instead of visiting we were eating. And actually Taiwanese admit that they love food and they are always hungry. BTW - Taiwan has so many beautiful places that now I’m not sure if I can make it to see all of them!!!

and of course food! snales, crabs and oysters

Hamburger with crab? Why not!

Still exploring Taiwan - and the point is that prices are so different from European. You can buy a meal for 1,5-3eur! So you don’t cook. And you buy some brand stuff so cheaply – today I bought Puma backpack for 15eur! But if you want to go to a coffee shop – you pay about 4 eur for a coffee! So it’s a little bit confusing – but anyway Taipei is totally a  “coffee shop” city. You go, you buy a cap of a beverage and you grab the book from the shelf, sit, read, work, do something else for (even) 5 hours! Before I did not understand what’s the “coffee shop” culture and why I pay 4eur a cup (even Starbucks is cheaper). Well now I understand! So it’s tricky, cause you save while buying Puma, but then you spend for a coffee…

Hamburger with crab! 

I miss our European cuisine!!!

I miss it so much – the most “placki ziemniaczane” and “kluski śląskie”. But the most I miss dairy products in here!!! Milk price is 70NT$ which means 7 zł (1,75EUR)! Yoghurts have a different taste! Awww, and the thing that bothers me is that I love cereals with a milk for my breakfast or toast with a yoghurt! But I wish I could have my favorite Russian borscht! The one that my mom can prepare.  :) 

Duty free man – or duty freer

When I was in Vienna I took classes treated about managing in globalized world. In one of the readings (we had to read some Harvard Business papers which was quite interesting) I have read about “duty freer” – it was the first time I actually saw this name. In this paper author described not the pure globalization but people who caught the flow of globalization. They started to find themselves in exploring the world – literally – travelling everywhere, working everywhere. I am wondering how amazing it should be to spend one or two (maximum 5 years) in one place and when you get bored just move out. I remember author mentioned that  those people “21^st century nomads” are not alone – they have many friends worldwide, they meet a partner who is the same duty freer then travel together, and they describe themselves as a happy generation. And I started to wonder if it’s the best way to spend my lifetime – what really scares me is that I actually do!  I do want to spend my life travelling.

And I don’t think it’s crazy (as my friends told me) it’s coded in our brains since we were primitive man – people were migrating all the time. When a tribe was run out of  resources they moved. In the time of internationalization people do exactly the same – when we don’t feel satisfied we change the place. From village to the city, from smaller city to bigger city, than to capital, and in the end we move abroad.

For those who want to explore two totally different  cultures - China-Russia are the best places to start! I took this photo in Beijing Airport!!! :D

There are so many places to visit and so many people to meet, that I just feel sad when I think that I could  be bound to one place! No way!  

My Ukraine – childhood

As I live in Poland I can’t explain to my friends, how it was to live in Ukraine. My father sent me a picture from Mohyliv (village in Dnepropetrovsk) where I spent my careless childhood. Everyone has place like this. When you just sit and memories cross your mind and you feel distracted, sad and happy at the same time. For those who see the picture below, it can looks creepy, for me it’s the most amazing place in the whole world. As my father told me – don’t forget who you are and where are you from!

Sometimes I get angry about what is happening in Ukraine (politics are even worse than during Soviet Union!!!), but still it’s my home and I can’t deny it. I think when you’re surrounded by loving and doting parents or grandparents, even the creepy old cottage can be your definition of happiness!

Old garage where my grandfather used to keep all his paintings.

I don't remember the name of the flower but I know that I loved them as they grew everywhere! 

Taipei - why it is worth to come!

Food! Is amazing, delicious and really cheap!

Another tasty dinner (I think we paid 1,5EUR)

Park 228 - Pagoda

Local studenst - very helpful and always 

Everyone cycling in Taipei - us, as well - I bought my own bike

Animals are loved very much in Taiwan! As I can see they are  wearing clothes, have  manicure etc.

TAIPEI - I love this place

Beitou Hot Springs!!! Amazing place – I want to go back there! Located in Beitou district in Taipei – Taiwan. If anyone decides to go to Taiwan I can say – GO! It’s the mmost amazing place in the whole world! Or at least my favorite! J

Beitou district was originally dwelled by the Ketagalan tribe. The name of the tribe changed to Pataauw in Ching Dynasty when the Hans came. Most of the hot spring facilities and manmade attractions in Beitou area were established during the Japanese occupation. (taken from http://sinotour.com/tourguide/taipei/beitou-hot-spring.html )

Actually I don't have any pictures of us taking a bath in a spring - it was forbidden. But I can tell that 45 Celcius is much too much! 

Kids in a local student school - it used to be a catholic church! The teacher was amazing telling the story of this church, and of course kids were awesome :D

Buddhist Temple at Beitou