Go With the Flow

I am truly a stranger in a strange land, but it is getting easier with each passing day - and it is an amazing experience. Yesterday, Day 1, was a blurr. Meeting with department heads and the Mayor first thing, talking to each department head individually, a TV introduction from the Mayor, photographs for the newpaper that appeared in the paper today, a huge hot pot lunch, visit to the seashore, and a banquet in the evening. All fine until I learned that I would have to sing Kareoke at the banquet (third time I had a Kareoke microphone in my hand that day!) - definitely not my forte. But, when the Mayor's wife tells you to sing, you sing!!! I have "lovely" photos which I will try to post tomorrow.
Today was library and culture day - very fun, and of course there was more new food!! How these thin women can eat all of this food I do not know! Not sure what tomorrow will bring - my schedule is in Chinese and apparently hard to translate - even for the 17 girl with who I am living. She speaks great English (was an exchange student this past summer in Bellevue), as does the rest of the family, so I am lucky.
Otherwise, I am glad to finally get on a computer. It makes me feel a little less disconnected. Hopefully photos will come soon. Most everything on the computer is in Chinese, so we'll see how the downloading goes.
That's all for now - got to go "home". More soon...

Itinerary

Itinerary:
Depart Seattle-Taipei: Friday, Oct. 24
Arrive Taipei: Saturday, Oct. 25
Caesar Park Hotel
Arrive in Hualien via train: Sunday, Oct. 26
Depart Hualien: Sunday, Nov. 9
Explore Taipei: Nov. 9 - Nov. 12
Caesar Park Hotel
Depart Taipei for Hong Kong: Nov. 12 (my birthday - whoohoo!!!!)
Explore Hong Kong: Nov. 12-18
YMCA Sinclair - Kowloon
Depart Hong Kong-Seattle: Nov. 18
Arrive Seattle: Nov. 18