Banking, unpacking, and walking a lot.

The day started pretty early, around 8am. I tried to get all my monies changed into Taiwanese cash, and here is one nugget of FACT that I can now impose onto you guys: When coming to Taiwan, DO NOT bring Traveler's Checks. No one here knows they are, and when they do, they charge an extravagant fee. One bank charged a 10% service fee. That's 10$ for every 100$ you wanted to change into Taiwanese dollars. Other places refuse to change more than 200 or 300$. Basically Traveler's Checks are a huge pain in the ass so do not bring them here.

Afterwards I spent a few hours moving into my swank new pad:


Check it out. I know you're jealous. It's not a bad place to be, really. There's air conditioning, which is a HUGE plus. However, the mattresses are only about an inch thick (I'm going to have back pains tonight, hoo yeah) and I had to go through four different cables to get my internet to work. I never thought cables were so difficult to make but, apparently they are. Also, that sign hangs in front of our bathroom and in every stall. Why that sign even has to be there kind of worries me, to be honest.

I ate lunch in this alleyway next to school. It's famous for having lots of good food and I had an pretty awesome chicken katsu for 150 NT. That's 5$ for katsu, salad, rice, soup, and some mini tempura. Woot. I have a feeling I will be frequenting this alleyway often, as NTU does not provide meals, and the cafeteria downstairs looks sha-dy.

Proof that no country can hide from Starbucks.

That night we went to the Shi Da night market. One of my favorite things about Taiwan from the last time I came was the night markets. So many different types of food, people, things to see in such a small, concentrated spot. You walk around, yummy orange lemon juice in one hand, some sort of dumpling or Chinese fajita dripping in your other, taking in the sights with a few new people and having a good time. Can't get much more Taiwanese culture than in the night market.


Is it weird that there is a 7-11 in this picture? Yeah, sort of. One thing about night markets: there are no public trash cans ANYWHERE. So whatever you buy on the streets to eat or drink, you will be carrying it with you until you leave the night market. Same goes with if you go into a convenience store. They DO NOT provide bags to carry your stuff out, and charge extra to use a bag. So bring your own, or prepare to walk three blocks with a huge mosquito net in your arms.

A few oddities from the night market:

Yes this place is called Dr. Pasta. Apparently the pasta here isn't very good and is actually quite watery. Safe to say I haven't and probably will never try Dr. Pasta.

This is a sweet cafe. The main draw of this cafe is that the owner has all of his cats just sort of chillin' in and around his cafe. So basically you sit down at a table with your drink and this cat is just sorta there, sleeping next to you. Apparently there is usually an average of 10 cats lounging in the cafe.

Alright, my legs are KILLING me from all the walking. So until next time, zai jian!

-Justin