Arriving in Taipei
So, I know it’s a bit late but I’m finding myself with tons of time to blog so I’m going to go backwards for a minute.
The following is a video that I took after I arrived in Taipei. The girls pictured were on the same flight out of LAX with me. This is a short video of us checking out the area around our hotel in Taipei. Check it out!
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Americans are rude and arrogant
Of course, I know better. Not all Americans are rude and arrogant, right? Americans get a bad rap overseas as being arrogant, ignorant of other cultures, and frankly just plain rude.
Or do we? Is some of this stereotyping and prejudice actually more close to an accurate perception than a farce?
The other day I went to one of my favorite places to eat in Taichung. It’s near my gym and my branch and they serve healthy American style food. For example, I always order the chicken sub sandwich on wheat. However, I always point to it on the menu and make a point to say “Wo yao zhe ge” or “Ji ro”. The first being, “I want this one” and the second being “Chicken”.
The point is that I’m making an effort to learn Chinese. Although the young Taiwanese man behind the counter might very well understand me if I spoke in English, I find it someone presumptive to force my language on him. It wasn’t very difficult for me to learn a few simple phrases in Chinese so why not use them?
I sat down waited for my “ji ro” when I couldn’t help but notice a very loud and obviously American man sitting next to me.
The sight was somewhat disruptive. He was sitting with a Taiwanese girl and yelling at her in English. Although, to him, he was simply talking.
“Ugh, this song is TERRIBLE! Just horrible. Hey, KILL THE MUSIC! KILL THE MUSIC!”, he screams to the Taiwanese man behind the counter.
The man working behind the counter looks puzzled but eventually changes the station.
“Oh, god that song is awful. It’s a Chinese version of a Linda Ronstadt song from the 1970′s. She sung it with Chris Christopherson. Horrible song and even worse in Chinese”
The waiter then brings him his drink and he says, “Thanks!”… However, when greeted with a blank stare he continues to say, “Thanks!” over and over until the poor waiter finally says “Xie Xie” or thanks in Chinese.
I’m sitting there wondering if I should have gotten my “ji ro” sandwich to go. I really enjoy my quiet times in this restaurant. I watch the news in Chinese and try to pick up some words that I know. I listen to whatever they play on the radio and I make sure to say “Xie xie” when I leave.
I exit and proceed to work where I begin a conversation with a fellow teacher about how he find Americans to be very arrogant, rude, and ignorant to other cultures. I defend America and say that “Well, not everyone is like that… I mean, sure, some are but…”
I find myself thinking about my recent experience with the American at the nearby restaurant and I actually change my opinion mid-conversation.
After relaying my story to my British friend, he replies, “Well, that’s exactly what I’m talking about”.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I make a special point to try my best to use the language of the country that I’m in. I don’t know many words but I will try to utilize the ones that I do and I attempt to learn new ones all the time. It is true that many Taiwanese people can understand and speak some English but honestly, why should they be expected to? The pressure should remain on the foreigner to try to adapt to their current living environment. I hold an American passport and to that I will hold true. However, when does being proud to be an American end? When does it simply become blind arrogance? I’m not sure but I hope that I can change some Taiwanese people’s minds about foreigners and Americans. I know I can’t destroy a stereotype on my own but maybe if I try hard enough then I can change just one person’s mind.
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This might hurt a little.
The sub-title of Michael Moore’s newest film, “SiCKO”, is same as the title of this blog entry. Yes, Mr. Moore, it did hurt a little. The original reason that I waited so long to watch the film was because I knew that it would be depressing. Who wants to hear about the woes of sick, dying, and *gasp* deceased people?
Being that I’m at home with a cold, I finally pushed played on Quicktime and watched my pirated version of Michael Moore’s SiCKO.
The movie was obviously biased as all Michael Moore films are. However, is it truly possible to create an unbiased work of film? Or at least one that would be worth watching? I don’t believe so. Either way, I’m not going to offer a synopsis of the film as many are available with a simple Google search. You can find Moore lovers and haters alike. I’m sure that conservatives already have released an anti-SiCKO movie with the title of “Moore is a Sicko. A dirty commie sicko” or something similar. Seriously, just see the film.
I could sit here and argue about for profit versus non-profit in America. Hey, who likes waiting for hours at the DMV? Or who likes paying hundreds of dollars in speeding tickets to the government? Wow, did you hear how long it took for the fire department to arrive at Mr. Jones’ house last week? These are all painfully trivial concerns.
The truth is that there ARE millions of Americans without health care. The truth is that those with health care are not receiving the coverage that they should be. Often times, people are forced into debt in order to pay for relatively minor procedures. Worse, people end up dying due to improper coverage. The truth is that people that you know are not receiving anywhere near the care that is necessary. The truth is that people are taking drugs that they don’t need and can’t afford the ones that they do.
But we’re talking about America. We’re talking about a place where people will argue until they are blue in the face about the prospect of paying for another person’s health care. “Why should I pay? It’s not my fault they are sick. Why should I have to pay more taxes so some jerk that I don’t know can live a few more years?”
I don’t have the answers to these questions. I do know that I would pay whatever it took for my grandma to go a single day without coughing. I would do whatever necessary to have a few extra days with the ones I love. I know that everyone out there; conservatives, liberals, hippies, and socialists alike would like the same things for their loved ones.
So, what is it really going to take to change the minds of American people? Will we continue to be terrified of a scary socialized medical system? Will be cower in fright over the thought of non-profit health care? Will we get the willies when we consider the idea of the continuation of capitalism by means that don’t KILL us?
While we consider these grave issues, I hope everyone can take comfort in the fact that Kaiser Permanente continues to get richer, the CEOs of Blue Shield will all get their bonus this Christmas, and that I will relieve my cold with Taiwanese medicine for 80 cents.
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How to reach Heidi
I think that some people are wondering how they can best contact me while I’m in Taiwan.
The number one BEST way is to use Skype.
Skype is a multi-functional program. First, you can contact me for free by simply downloading the application and sending a call to “heidibriones”. It’s as simple as that. I’m usually online if I’m at home. This is the best way to talk to me because it’s free for both of us. Second, you can buy some Skype minutes and call my international phone number. It’s really really cheap to make these calls. I mean 3 cents a minute cheap. Third, I may eventually get a Skype-in account where you can call a U.S. number which will forward to my cell phone.
Electronically, you can e-mail me at heidibriones@gmail.com. You can comment on my blog (which I really appreciate! Keep them coming). You could even join my forum at heidibriones.com/forum.
Please check my blog for frequent updates. They will be more frequent as I’m getting used to my schedule and becoming more comfortable teaching. I love being a teacher and I love living in Taiwan!
P.S. – Will someone PLEASE help Grandma set-up her Skype account? I left her a headset and everything. Uncle Leo? Dad? Aaron? Someone?
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Chinese medicine
So, I had to make my first visit to the clinic as I have a slight cold. Luckily, I just got my National Health Insurance card. Funny that it took me moving to Taiwan to actually have health insurance. Anyway, I go to the doctor and somehow communicate everything that was wrong with me with the help of my Hess phrasebook.
The following is what my prescription looked like:
Yes, Christ. Apparently, Heidi Christina Briones becomes “Christ” in Taiwan.
This is all the medicine that they gave me.
It seems to be some kind of herbal concoction that I am supposed to take with water.
So, I guess I take these herbs for five days and then I’m cured. We will see what happens. The absolute best part is that the visit to the doctor was only $150 NT (New Taiwan Dollars). Which converts to about $4.50 USD. My medicine? Only $20 NT or about 80 cents. I love Taiwan.
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Taiwan is beautiful
It truly is. Although the streets are crowded, noisy and polluted. Although the betel nut grin of the local can be too much to bear at times. Although the stares of the elderly are daunting at 7:00 am. Although there seems to be a overwhelming feeling of solitude for the foreigner.
A trip not too far outside the city of Taichung can remind you of the beauty that exists without trying. While your city days are filled with minor frustrations, screaming children, and the occasional scooter dodge, the great outdoors continue to exist in peace.
In this, I remind you to escape from the grind today. Even if you only visit a local park or pause to look at a bird nesting in a tree, take that moment. Take that moment and know that I am sharing the beauty of life with you. Take it now before life continues to pass by at such a rapid rate. Take it now and realize that somewhere, right now, there is a beautiful waterfall in a tropical forest that continues to flow whether you take this time or not.
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The Three R’s and America
So, I’ve been teaching a massive unit on recycling to my mid-level kids. Their ages are 11-14.
Some highlights:
Reading the Conversation Comic and acting out the superhero “The Recycler” with the kids.
“Hey guys! What’s the matter?”
“We wanted to go to the park but there is this big trash heap in the way!”
“Hmmm… Sounds like the Litter Bug…. This looks like a job for…..”
I dramatically exit the room at this point and come back in as I say….
“The RECYCLER! REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!”
Then all the kids exclaim….
“WOW! It’s the recycler!”
I also get to sing The Recycle Song with actions.
“R-E-C-Y-C-L-E! Earth is home to you and me! R-E-C-Y-C-L-E! Pick it up! Use it again”
I guarantee that many of you would pay money to see me to do this. And if you would, please come to Taiwan immediately.
I also asked my kids to brainstorm some things that could make out of old bottles, string, paper, etc. One kid named Peter was so excited to tell me what he thought of making from some old paper.
“TEACHER! TEACHER! I KNOW!”
“What Peter?”
“AN ANT! HAHAHAHA! So small!”
One of my other classes is doing a unit on America. Their reading book is about a Taiwanese boy who goes to live in Seattle with an American family. I have to ask them reading comprehension questions.
“What is different about America and Taiwan? How are the people different?”
“EYES!”
I open my eyes really wide and say, “LIKE THIS?”
“No, no! They are blue!”
“Well, some of them are but many people have eyes that are brown or black just like yours. American has many different kinds of pe… ”
*Blank stares*
“Nevermind… So, how is the food different?”
Anyway, overall, teaching is pretty great. It’s getting easier but I still spend a huge amount of time grading homework and quizzes. Oh, and I finally received my A.R.C. and I’m an official resident of Taiwan. I’ll get my national health insurance card soon as well. But that is all terribly boring. I will write again when I have something to say.
Picture Time!
The following are some random pictures that I’ve been taking lately… Enjoy:
A plant from a park near my apartment.
There is supposed to be a typhoon coming in this shot…
So, I taped my windows.
Uh, oh… Now it looks like a storm is actually coming… it turned out to be a normal storm and not typhoon worthy.
We went to a hot springs where people cook their eggs next to the springs.
This is the group that went on the adventure.
We went for a hike afterwards.. Be careful monkey!
A shot of the start of our trail.
Stephen is taking fancy pictures on his camera
Here I am at the top of the hill that we hiked.
We found some weird toy and played on it.
Bollywood! Note the Native Americans in front of the Indian restaurant. Hilarious.
