Hsinchu, Taiwan

Just had my farewell lunch with my coworkers and have spent the morning draining the large international calling card that I bought when I came to Hsinchu two months ago. Taiwan has been good... This psuedo-country (the combination the Bejing Olympic and the US and Taiwanese presidential elections is going to make 2008 an interesting year in Taiwan) is a clash of contrasts between the old world and the modernity. And comparing my East/West life with the East/West life of Taiwan leaves me somewhere between understanding and complete bewilderment. Folks treated me very well while I have been here and learned a thing or two about hospitality. Perhaps related is my gain of weight.

One thing I had not anticipated about traveling is that with every hello towards the people I meet, there is almost always a very permanent good bye. With the exception of my travel mates I have known in a past life, I will just be passing through on the way to somewhere else. I have a hard time coming up with right words for goodbyes and the impotence of not even knowing the language while trying to say farewell leaves... me leaving frustrated and awkward.

Still, I am glad to have met my fellow interns and friends of friends and I do hope to keep in touch. I guess that is why god created the email. You, yes you... please leave me a comment! This trip wouldn't have been possible without the internet. For example, I wouldn't be planning meeting up a girl named Frenchie at a gas station in the middle of Bangkok in about 24 hours without the infrastructure giving you this text. My life goes in strange directions.