Saturday, I decided to try and find this recreation center that is near my apartment. I passed by it before and couldn't remember in what direction it was located. So, I took my normal route and expanded it a little (so I thought). I saw the TV series crew again, but didn't bother trying to get in the background. I saw many people and lots of stores. I stopped at a nice sized high school to look around. They had archery going on and some people were playing basketball. I rebounded for a kid that was shooting free throws. We spoke a little as he shot, but not a lot. It was cool to be around something athletic for a change. So, I bought me a volleyball! After buying my ball, I continued on my journey of finding a gym. I wanted to take a picture of the Kingdom Hall for this couple that will be visiting Taiwan soon. So, I took a picture of the Kingdom Hall and the street sign so that they can find it. There is a bridge near the Kingdom Hall. I always wondered where it would lead me to; so, I took it! And that's when I began to get lost! Lol! I saw parks and fire stations, other foreigners, Costco, Home, and Taipei 101 continued to get closer. I say this because from my apartment, I can see Taipei 101. It is across the river. I didn't know that the bridge that I crossed would take me in that direction. (Oh, yeah! I left my map at home on the table) I took a break near Costco and sat on a bench. There were lots of people around. They were shopping and enjoying the sunshine (it has been raining for a week). They were very nice! The people walking by me smiled and said hello. I was wearing an Arkansas T-shirt so that helped them recognized that I was a foreigner if they didn't know already. It was a good thing that I did too! It gave them a red flag that I was lost. Lol! I started walking in the direction of Taipei 101 because I knew that I would find a MRT near by. All the other railings that I saw in the distance and walked towards just happened to be highways (got more lost because of them). I turned down one street and saw about 5 stray dogs. Of course, I turned left and avoided them all together. Most of the dogs here are very nice, but those are the ones with owners. I have ran across some strays that just sit there and watch you walk by or that look like they are on their own mission. These dogs were big and I didn't want to take any chances. I just continued to take pictures as I walked blindly around. I turn down another street and I could tell that the people there were not used to foreigners. Their mouths dropped open wide, but they still managed to be nice and speak a simple hello. There was an old man sitting at the park across the street. I heard someone speaking (as usual), but realized it was in English. He was yelling to me (rather talking as loudly as he could in his weak voice) Hello, How are you? It made my heart smile! I yelled back to him that I was fine and asked how he was doing. I guess that was all the English he knew because he just smiled back (or he couldn't hear me). It was still nice. Everyone on that street said Hello and didn't just stare. I don't even know the street name, but when I find it I will make sure to go back to speak again. A little further down the street was a family that spoke and ask something about my travels. I wasn't sure if it was where are you from or where are you going. I pulled out my Chinese book, but before I could respond he said station. I assumed that he meant MRT station. Silly me! He walked me down the street and around the corner (very fast paced; like power walking). Of course, I have been walking since 1:11pm (it was 5pm) so my feet are killing me and I'm having a hard time keeping up with him. He takes me to this bridge and we go up in the elevator. On the deck leading to the bridge is a nice view of the river and a bike trail. There are people there taking pictures and sitting down relaxing and talking with friends. As I cross, I see some people sitting down and they have a camera. They were going to take a picture of me as I walked by. I stopped and motioned to them that I would take their picture and this got the ball rolling. We took several pictures and of course they tried to talk to me in Chinese (darn language barrier, lol). They were asking me about my hair and where I was from. Very nice! Out of nowhere, this older lady walks up behind me and looks at me in my eyes and then touches my hair. She is very curious! She says something in Chinese and I apologize for not being able to communicate with her. I guess I better dive into my book more often if I plan on taking more adventures. After I leave this group, I continue walking in the direction the man gave me when we were in the elevator. I like how he said "Good Luck!" He was very optimistic. Lol! I found the station that he was referring to, but it wasn't a MRT. It was a train station. Close, but not cigar! I walked out of the station and walked thru some kind of market (it was mainly vendors). I passed a temple and walked thru a night market. The stinky tofu smell almost knocked me out. It was very strong!! I ended up on some main street and I stopped in at a Family Mart to ask for directions to the nearest MRT (of course with my Chinese Book). The customer that was leaving spoke English. Her directions were "go straight and turn right." That was it! I said thank you and kept going straight in the direction that I was already going. She ended up walking with me because she was going in the same direction. She told me to cross at the bridge and then left me. It was funny because she didn't tell me if it was right or left after the bridge. As, I was crossing the bridge, I saw some graffiti. It was an advertisement for mayor of Taipei City. Creative, free, and easy to read! (it was in English, lol!) After crossing this four way bridge that is over a busy intersection (something the U of A needs to consider), I keep straight and cross a couple of streets and pass several stores. And there to my right, is a MRT. I am so anxious to see the map inside so that I can figure out where I am. I live on the brown line at Xihu and I was standing in Yongchun MRT, which is on the blue line. Basically, I walked in a diagonal south from where I live. In all, I walked at least 3-5 miles. After getting on the MRT and making it back to Xihu, I still had a 10 minute walk home. I know I looked and felt worn out! Today, I will have to go to the grocery store. I'm going to Jason's. It is an American store in the basement of Taipei 101. I won't get lost this time, but I will still take pictures. Enjoy!
