Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Food I
The Taiwanese love their food and that's one of the big reasons why I love it here in Taiwan. Anything from extremely affordable night market food to upscale sushi and complex dishes with rare ingredients can be found. While here, I've had many Taiwanese delicacies as well as Japanese, Mexican, Italian and French food, all done with a local 'twist'. I regret not having taken photos of this great live seafood restaurant I was taken to in Danshui by my friend here but I felt it would have been a little too touristy of me! If it wasn't for the extremely hot weather (not so bad as of recent days), I'd certainly be pushing obese no matter how often I went to the gym. I didn't include any photos of the night market food as many examples are in my previous posts (especially in my travel blog).
Monday, November 23, 2009
Healthcare in Taiwan
First off, sorry for the lack of posts - was in China on business for the past week, where I happened to catch a bug which had a whole lot of similar symptoms to H1N1. While, it probably wasn't H1N1 (probably not severe enough), I got some new symptoms starting yesterday which worried me. What better opportunity to explore the Taiwanese health system! So - I went to the hospital that had an English sounding name (Mackay Memorial) figuring my odds of encountering an English speaking doctor would be higher there. I asked the first person with a uniform what I should do if I want to see a doctor and she personally escorted me to the registration desk and then the internal medicine clinic (extremely nice of her, and probably not the typical routine). The clinic was absolutely packed with people for 10:30am - perhaps normal, perhaps due to H1N1/seasonal flu? The system was all number-based and there were about 10 doctors on duty, each with their own room and nurse. Records were kept in the same room as the doctor. When I saw the doctor, he spoke fluent English, and was very thorough in his assessment of me. At no time did I feel rushed. He felt that whatever I had was on its way out and he prescribed 2 medications to deal with cleaning up the aftermath (cough suppressant and mucous thinner). I was then given a slip to take to the cashier.
I was afraid that this was going to cost an arm and a leg because I had seen an internal medicine specialist instead of a GP (assuming things were structured the same way there). It turns out it only cost NT$580, which is just under $20. The next step was to pick up my prescriptions... again, a number system was used although the people queuing were slightly confusing (it turned out the number posted meant anything below that number which is why it jumped 15 at a time). I was afraid that the medications would be similar in cost as in Canada but when I asked about paying, it turned out that $20 included my medications as well!
In summary - very very efficient, very affordable (for a regular visit - not sure about surgery/complex), although extremely crowded and consequently a huge risk for the spread of disease.
Time:
Registration - 5 minutes
Waiting room - 20-30 minutes
Pharmacy - 10 minutes
Quite impressed. Sorry - didn't take photos (no camera).
I was afraid that this was going to cost an arm and a leg because I had seen an internal medicine specialist instead of a GP (assuming things were structured the same way there). It turns out it only cost NT$580, which is just under $20. The next step was to pick up my prescriptions... again, a number system was used although the people queuing were slightly confusing (it turned out the number posted meant anything below that number which is why it jumped 15 at a time). I was afraid that the medications would be similar in cost as in Canada but when I asked about paying, it turned out that $20 included my medications as well!
In summary - very very efficient, very affordable (for a regular visit - not sure about surgery/complex), although extremely crowded and consequently a huge risk for the spread of disease.
Time:
Registration - 5 minutes
Waiting room - 20-30 minutes
Pharmacy - 10 minutes
Quite impressed. Sorry - didn't take photos (no camera).
Sunday, November 8, 2009
First weekend
What a first weekend in Taipei. I decided to play tourist and basically walked around for my entire waking hours. Saturday was spent at the Botanical Gardens, then at the Dadaocheng fireworks festival. The festival started at 3pm, and I got there shortly after... however what I didn't anticipate is the whole of Taipei showing up. After every single spot to sit down was taken by 6pm (fireworks were supposed to start at 9:30pm or so), I decided to give my feet a rest and went home. Unfortunately my cute idea of taking a random bus that happened to be going in the same direction I was walking ended up with me being in a random suburb of Taipei across the Danshui River because I *thought* I saw the Chinese character for station... oops. I found another bus, fortunately. I heard of a place called Snow King - a unique icecream shop serving a myriad of strange flavours and went there, discovering the Clarke's Quay-type place known as Ximen in the process. I have to say, pig feet ice cream was certainly an acquired taste, but the chili pepper flavour wasn't bad. Met a few interesting people along the way, and across the city. The next day was relatively quiet with the highlight of the day being a traditional Chinese ethnic minorities concert at Zhongshan Hall - I wish videography was permitted because the performances were just stunningly beautiful. On the other hand, videos would not have done sufficient justice.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Getting into the groove
It seems I've got a routine. Wake up around 11am, get breakfast from 7-11 (I love 7-11 in Asia.. it's actually convenient and the food is fresh), do errands, find a cafe and work, go to gym, then do something social.
Today's errands were going to Guanghua market to pick up a wireless router and a DVI->VGA converter (which the TV doesn't like... boo.. stuck to NTSC). It's not as insane as I remember it from 2 years back - probably because I went during the day.
The social thing of the day was meeting a friend of a friend who is a salsa instructor. I've always wanted to properly learn salsa in the hopes of overcoming my clumsiness. I have the grace of an elephant and the coordination of a drunken mule - is there hope? I have to say.. they're all pros at the club I visited. I didn't even want to step onto the corner of the dance floor let alone actually dance. Where are all the beginners? Hiding in a private studio like future me?
The heat is starting to hit me... I'm sweating 24/7... not much appetite, and felt light headed at the gym today (despite A/C). Keeping hydrated is the only thing I can do. Also feeling very shy.. for once. But, still loving it here! Oh.. and I have a new floormate.. somehow lizards are cute, but cockroaches are not.
Today's errands were going to Guanghua market to pick up a wireless router and a DVI->VGA converter (which the TV doesn't like... boo.. stuck to NTSC). It's not as insane as I remember it from 2 years back - probably because I went during the day.
The social thing of the day was meeting a friend of a friend who is a salsa instructor. I've always wanted to properly learn salsa in the hopes of overcoming my clumsiness. I have the grace of an elephant and the coordination of a drunken mule - is there hope? I have to say.. they're all pros at the club I visited. I didn't even want to step onto the corner of the dance floor let alone actually dance. Where are all the beginners? Hiding in a private studio like future me?
The heat is starting to hit me... I'm sweating 24/7... not much appetite, and felt light headed at the gym today (despite A/C). Keeping hydrated is the only thing I can do. Also feeling very shy.. for once. But, still loving it here! Oh.. and I have a new floormate.. somehow lizards are cute, but cockroaches are not.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Arrival (11/03/2009-11/06/2009)
Welcome to my blog. It's not going to be too fancy, or too lengthy. Posts will come ad hoc. I figured that some of my friends, family and random surfers would find this interesting. I will try to keep it light and rich with anecdotes - except for this post - this one will be long. Will try to keep names and such anonymous when not otherwise extremely confusing. That said, here we go.
Some background:
Q) Why am I in Taiwan?
A) To study Mandarin
Q) Why not China?
A) Many reasons. Keep business and school separate. Weather. Comfort. Food. Have more friends here. NTNU is the oldest Mandarin school in the world and writes many of the textbooks.
So.. what's happened thus far?
I had the great fortune of being picked up at the airport and shown to my place by the head of the Taiwan office of a manufacturing company. This connection was made through his business partner who I had the great fortune of meeting on a flight from Chicago. We had some local food and he has graciously invited me to where he lives in Danshui (end of the river) next week. What a great start!
My place turned out to be pretty much on the dot from the pictures, except all the nice furnishings (i.e. pillows, linen, etc) were not there. Fortunately, I had some help there as well. I had a pen-pal/MSN friend for the past 3 years who I narrowly missed meeting last time in Taiwan due to her being in the USA for a conference. We finally met and although we were both completely exhausted, we managed to go shopping for things at the local night market - picked up a pillow at midnight!
The next day, I got a cell phone, and gym membership - the cell phone I managed to do entirely in Mandarin, but the gym membership was a little complicated for that. I was quite happy to bargain down from a $300 up-front payment, $250 deposit and $125 monthly fee to no up-front, no deposit, and a $75 monthly fee. Still steep compared to Canada, but what a gym! Looks like a night club and brand new equipment. Plus, it's more motivation to go there daily to get best value. The people there are extremely fit and I suspect that people either drop out very quickly or feel enough pressure to work out hard enough to look in top shape - I hope I fall into the latter category!
Today (day 3) I really needed to get my ticket to Beijing, so my aforementioned friend recommended ezTravel by Zhongxiao Dunhua station. According to Google Maps there was also a Mr. Brown's coffee there, that offered free WiFi (which I need given my lack of a desk here, rendering working/studying at home quite uncomfortable). Getting the plane ticket took a little longer than desired (no English), but the staff were extremely patient and friendly... I only hope I'm this lucky in other areas. I spent an hour looking for Mr. Brown, and kept walking up and down the street like a fool. I finally swallowed my pride and asked for directions, only to find that Mr. Brown's was on the 5th floor of a department store - didn't think to look up. While at Mr. Brown's, two things happened. First, an earthquake hit. It was small -- 5.9 and epicenter was in central Taiwan, however, Taiwan is a very small island. I never had motion sickness before, but this actually made me feel queasy. Second, because I had a funny looking webcam, I met the former director of sales of Cisco Asia, and will be meeting him in Beijing. How random!
Observations thus far:
1) Taiwanese people are very nice and polite
2) Night markets are probably the best place to get anything
3) 7/11s do not sell toilet paper
4) The sweet travelling music you hear at night does not come from ice cream trucks - they come from garbage trucks and people rush out to drop off their garbage, not eat ice cream
5) It either sucks or is very fun to be illiterate - everything I eat (and papers I sign) are complete mysteries
6) Taipei is small enough with sufficient diversity that very interesting people can be found in high concentrations and knowing where to go can make a real difference in networking
Ok - this was long. No more of this.
Some background:
Q) Why am I in Taiwan?
A) To study Mandarin
Q) Why not China?
A) Many reasons. Keep business and school separate. Weather. Comfort. Food. Have more friends here. NTNU is the oldest Mandarin school in the world and writes many of the textbooks.
So.. what's happened thus far?
I had the great fortune of being picked up at the airport and shown to my place by the head of the Taiwan office of a manufacturing company. This connection was made through his business partner who I had the great fortune of meeting on a flight from Chicago. We had some local food and he has graciously invited me to where he lives in Danshui (end of the river) next week. What a great start!
My place turned out to be pretty much on the dot from the pictures, except all the nice furnishings (i.e. pillows, linen, etc) were not there. Fortunately, I had some help there as well. I had a pen-pal/MSN friend for the past 3 years who I narrowly missed meeting last time in Taiwan due to her being in the USA for a conference. We finally met and although we were both completely exhausted, we managed to go shopping for things at the local night market - picked up a pillow at midnight!
The next day, I got a cell phone, and gym membership - the cell phone I managed to do entirely in Mandarin, but the gym membership was a little complicated for that. I was quite happy to bargain down from a $300 up-front payment, $250 deposit and $125 monthly fee to no up-front, no deposit, and a $75 monthly fee. Still steep compared to Canada, but what a gym! Looks like a night club and brand new equipment. Plus, it's more motivation to go there daily to get best value. The people there are extremely fit and I suspect that people either drop out very quickly or feel enough pressure to work out hard enough to look in top shape - I hope I fall into the latter category!
Today (day 3) I really needed to get my ticket to Beijing, so my aforementioned friend recommended ezTravel by Zhongxiao Dunhua station. According to Google Maps there was also a Mr. Brown's coffee there, that offered free WiFi (which I need given my lack of a desk here, rendering working/studying at home quite uncomfortable). Getting the plane ticket took a little longer than desired (no English), but the staff were extremely patient and friendly... I only hope I'm this lucky in other areas. I spent an hour looking for Mr. Brown, and kept walking up and down the street like a fool. I finally swallowed my pride and asked for directions, only to find that Mr. Brown's was on the 5th floor of a department store - didn't think to look up. While at Mr. Brown's, two things happened. First, an earthquake hit. It was small -- 5.9 and epicenter was in central Taiwan, however, Taiwan is a very small island. I never had motion sickness before, but this actually made me feel queasy. Second, because I had a funny looking webcam, I met the former director of sales of Cisco Asia, and will be meeting him in Beijing. How random!
Observations thus far:
1) Taiwanese people are very nice and polite
2) Night markets are probably the best place to get anything
3) 7/11s do not sell toilet paper
4) The sweet travelling music you hear at night does not come from ice cream trucks - they come from garbage trucks and people rush out to drop off their garbage, not eat ice cream
5) It either sucks or is very fun to be illiterate - everything I eat (and papers I sign) are complete mysteries
6) Taipei is small enough with sufficient diversity that very interesting people can be found in high concentrations and knowing where to go can make a real difference in networking
Ok - this was long. No more of this.
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