Day 1: Airport Mess and the Countryside

 

I spent my first two hours in Taiwan in total panic. I was expecting to meet up with AIESECers as soon as I arrived, but it turns out there was a misunderstanding with the time of my arrival. They had arranged for me to be picked up at 12:30pm, rather than 12:30am. They lived far from the airport, and they had classes the next day, so picking me up at that time was just not possible.
So I asked around, trying to figure out how to survive for the next 10 hours. Someone suggested that I go to the other terminal where they had nicer chairs I could sleep in(!!!). Another offered me a ride to "anywhere I wanted to go", but I declined because I wasn't sure if he could be trusted. I was so stressed I couldn't speak Chinese coherently. Luckily, an English speaking local was kind enough to lend me his mobile phone. So this guy plus two others were all fussing over the names, addresses and phone numbers I had with me. If I didn't know the language, I would think they were scolding me or plotting something evil. After two long phone calls (and confirming that these people were legit airport personnel) it was decided that I would stay overnight at a nearby hotel.
So the driver brought me to the hotel, and I was able to chat with him along the way since I could suddenly speak proper Chinese again. He told me about the area I was going to stay in and I found out that he has seen Jay Chou, Alan Luo, Rain and other artists because he was always at the airport (yes this is relevant). He also assured me that "Taiwanese people won't do you any harm" and even gave me his name card so I could call him if I had questions about getting around.
So yes, I survived the 10 hours with proper food and accommodation.
At noon, I finally met with David and Sharon (AIESECers) and we took a bus and a cab to get to the tea farm which took roughly 2 hours from the airport.
I'm starting to think that this might be the craziest thing I've ever done in my life. I'm in the middle of nowhere, where grapes grow on tree barks, living with strangers who can only speak my third language and think that certain creatures are cute and eating a rare fruit that might not have an English name and has just been plucked out of a tree (without washing!).
It hasn't even been 24 hours and yet I feel like a lot has happened already!
I also feel that this is the start of an experience I'll never forget.

 

P.S. My Taiwan Number: +886981462203