Recently I saw this list on Buzzfeed about the 18 different types of travelers. I myself think I fall under the 'go with the flow' category. (And maybe a bit of the 'always right' traveler, but only when I'm with people who are totally incompetent).
With two days in Taipei this style unfortunately lead to a lot of shoulder shrugs and 'yeah, that sounds fines'. Meaning I did a lot of not exactly what I would have chosen. Most of it was genuinely enjoyable but the one major frustration thing, was that I didn't get to MOCA Taipei. I think I woulda seriously enjoyed that. I guess now I have a reason to go back.
Instead I walked around a lot of markets and a few historical museums and the subway (I probably spent about half my time on the subway or MRT as they call it here). Oh, and let's not forget the hospital in which I received my vaccination for yellow fever. I know I needed to get it, but I probably should have just waited until Kaohsiung (pronounced Cow-shung) where I'd have more time.
Rob Monson, a friend who I met in South Africa in 2012 while he was visiting his brother Pete (one of my favorite people of all times), was a great host! He legit met me at the bus station when I arrived, with no prior warning. I got off the bus, grabbed my bag, turned around and there he was! All ready to scooter us back to his apartment (except for the lack of remembering an extra helmet, just a silly blunder). Instead, I got a cab and he met me at his place.
I man cave if I've ever seen one. I walked in and could instantly tell that three guys lived there. Actually I walked in and first thing I noticed was a Brewer doormat, Wisconsin Badger flag, American flag, and his roommate wearing a Packer sweatshirt. Needless to say he was from Milwaukee. Actually went to the same high school (Nicolet) and University (UW-Madison) as my mom, aunts, uncle, and cousins. Coincidence? Yeah, definitely.
It's weird staying with people you don't know all to well. Like, I enjoy it but it's alway a bit uncomfortable. Three days was a good amount of couch crashing and I left just before the excuses for not taking a shower would have had to turn to the truth, I was just terrified (and a little grossed out) by the bathroom in general.
Let me just make it clear, I really had a good time and if it sounds like I am talking smack, I am not!! I 100% enjoy all the quirks and mishaps of these situations. Reflecting on how something was in reality doesn't necessarily capture the moment that it existed in. Because that moment is a unique experience I take it as such, at face value and always find a way to appreciate it.
As someone who is really just in it for the ride, I love all of the wrong steps, errors, and malfunctions as much as the smooth sailing. They all add up to create the really great stories.
Speaking of wrong steps. That hospital visit contained quite a few of those. Luckily, none of them were even close to traumatic, like they easily could be in a hospital, in a foreign country of which I speak none of the language.
For the next week I will be in the lovely presence of one of the most fantastic humans I know. Miss Linnea Johnson will be hosting me. I am sure to eat a ton, talk about important things, and adventure with an extremely well versed guide.
As my soloventure (as I am calling it) actually begins, it is time for me to buckle down and really get into some of the self-realization shit that people tend to go on these trips for. Or perhaps as my true nature seems to be, I'll just enjoy the show and criticize it after the fact without actually evaluating anything about my life and existence.
With two days in Taipei this style unfortunately lead to a lot of shoulder shrugs and 'yeah, that sounds fines'. Meaning I did a lot of not exactly what I would have chosen. Most of it was genuinely enjoyable but the one major frustration thing, was that I didn't get to MOCA Taipei. I think I woulda seriously enjoyed that. I guess now I have a reason to go back.
Instead I walked around a lot of markets and a few historical museums and the subway (I probably spent about half my time on the subway or MRT as they call it here). Oh, and let's not forget the hospital in which I received my vaccination for yellow fever. I know I needed to get it, but I probably should have just waited until Kaohsiung (pronounced Cow-shung) where I'd have more time.
Rob Monson, a friend who I met in South Africa in 2012 while he was visiting his brother Pete (one of my favorite people of all times), was a great host! He legit met me at the bus station when I arrived, with no prior warning. I got off the bus, grabbed my bag, turned around and there he was! All ready to scooter us back to his apartment (except for the lack of remembering an extra helmet, just a silly blunder). Instead, I got a cab and he met me at his place.
I man cave if I've ever seen one. I walked in and could instantly tell that three guys lived there. Actually I walked in and first thing I noticed was a Brewer doormat, Wisconsin Badger flag, American flag, and his roommate wearing a Packer sweatshirt. Needless to say he was from Milwaukee. Actually went to the same high school (Nicolet) and University (UW-Madison) as my mom, aunts, uncle, and cousins. Coincidence? Yeah, definitely.
It's weird staying with people you don't know all to well. Like, I enjoy it but it's alway a bit uncomfortable. Three days was a good amount of couch crashing and I left just before the excuses for not taking a shower would have had to turn to the truth, I was just terrified (and a little grossed out) by the bathroom in general.
Let me just make it clear, I really had a good time and if it sounds like I am talking smack, I am not!! I 100% enjoy all the quirks and mishaps of these situations. Reflecting on how something was in reality doesn't necessarily capture the moment that it existed in. Because that moment is a unique experience I take it as such, at face value and always find a way to appreciate it.
As someone who is really just in it for the ride, I love all of the wrong steps, errors, and malfunctions as much as the smooth sailing. They all add up to create the really great stories.
Speaking of wrong steps. That hospital visit contained quite a few of those. Luckily, none of them were even close to traumatic, like they easily could be in a hospital, in a foreign country of which I speak none of the language.
For the next week I will be in the lovely presence of one of the most fantastic humans I know. Miss Linnea Johnson will be hosting me. I am sure to eat a ton, talk about important things, and adventure with an extremely well versed guide.
As my soloventure (as I am calling it) actually begins, it is time for me to buckle down and really get into some of the self-realization shit that people tend to go on these trips for. Or perhaps as my true nature seems to be, I'll just enjoy the show and criticize it after the fact without actually evaluating anything about my life and existence.
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