Wednesday highlights

Honestly, new things do amaze me. I have never been so amazed in one day. We taught English lessons at two schools. Each school at different levels, but there was always those kids that stood out and made our job less hectic. Rita, Chas-e (as he called himself), and Kevin got so into the lesson. They shouted, got into character when asked, and put smiles on all our faces. These three kids, even though it was difficult for them to speak English took the classroom to a whole new level. I will never forget the funny questions they asked me, the way they pronounced my name (WAL-EEEE!!!), and the endless moments we laughed in that classroom. We had fun. They had fun, while they were learning some English vocab and playing games. One mission completed, with a twist of laughs.

We went out to dinner with the wife of the Mayor of Hualien City today, and honestly I have never been stuffed so much in my life. Mr. Barnes said he lost count after 12 dishes. It felt like there was always 5 more dishes coming. The hospitality and comfort that we have been given in Taiwan has made it feel like a home away from home.

Tonight, we are staying in a Lodge in a National park in Taiwan. It is apparently has the largest marble valley in the world. That was not the highlight of the night though. Before we went to our rooms to sleep, we watched a Tribal Dance ceremony. Kids and adults were in it, and different dances were performed and instruments played. The show was entertaining. They did not speak English to the crowd, so we felt kind of clueless of what was going on. At the end of the ceremony, they had a dance in which they brought in people from the audience. A Taiwanese young boy and girl picked Annelise (it was her birthday today also) and me to go dance. Awkward enough, we walked into the line and embarrassed ourselves in front of a whole crowd. As bad as it seemed, it was exhilarating and fun. They taught us the dance, and we mixed in perfectly. It felt like the language barrier was no more a problem, and that we were enjoying ourselves. We took pictures with the dancers, and I will never forget how they gave us comfort in the midst of being different.

Wale.