Scooter

Just a quick update.

I'm now training, the school is stuffing me full of well trodden advice and fun games. It's good to have it, but we have to write a full lesson plan as a final assignment followed by an exam. That's a bitch.

The upside is the hotel I'm staying at, more commonly known as the Love Hotel. My room has wall to wall mirrors, decor a 70's porn set designer would be proud of, rooms you can rent by the hour and free Asian/American porn on the T.V. The funniest bit though has to be the noises. Asian girls have a tendency to scream loudly during sex, like you would if being poked with a pointy stick while having a temper tantrum. It's a nuisance when you're trying to sleep.

The pollution in Taipei is quite bad, some scooter drivers use face masks. But in the humidity the smog tends to linger around. But of course if you can't beat them, join them. So my next purchase of any importance will be my very own 2nd hand scooter. Cool! I can't wait to bomb round town on it, scaring the locals with my big horn. ;o)

Martin

Neon

Wow, bloody hell. Taiwan rocks!

The other teachers are a great laugh. All have been here for a while and enjoy going out and drinking the beers. Luckily I'm staying with a friend in the mountains at the moment, so I'll be looking for a place to share real soon. Beer is cheap and a good evening can last until 5:00am.

I've been in the country for 5 days and I'm loving the place. The humidity is the most striking thing about the place It's about 33 C with 70% humidity. You walk you sweat, you sit down you sweat some more, you go indoors you shiver because the aircon is on. It's a bit like walking around in a sauna some days. Most the time it's fine, shorts, sandals and a T-Shirt works well.

Another thing is the vast amount of signs written in Chinese in neon colours. Every street looks the same. The first time me and Greg (other newbie) walked to the school from Pascal's house (fellow teacher of 3 years) we spent 2 hours looking for it. Eventually we gave up went to a bank and they rang the school who picked us up.

The food is awesome. You kinda point at meat on the stand and the type of noodle you want and they put it in a big soupy cauldron and it's normally served in a bowl with chopsticks and a spoon. Costs about 40-100 NT dollars (60p - 1.66 pounds) N.B. No symbols here!

Anyway I start training tomorrow morning so need a few hours kip ;)
Martin

P.S. Pete good luck with the interview. (and don't abuse my blog!)

Oh Dear Martin

Martin, just a word to say that i have the magic ability to log into your user page, and I am considering changing a few answers in your profile to something more interesting!!!

Hope Taipei is good, and that the lady boys delight you.

Pete

My first post

I'm about to leave for Taiwan, 6 days to go, very excited and can't wait to start my mini adventure. Teaching alone will be a huge challenge, having never done it before I'm still uncertain as to whether I'll be any good. Time will tell.

Aside from that little issue I'm well up for the craic, getting the chance to experience something unique for a year (or more). Admittedly leaving the comforts and familiarity of home will be tricky.

I love this blogging idea! ;o)

Also have a look at my personal website (mostly for the pictures):
www.mcoyle.co.uk