day one in taipei

i'm going to make this short. i arrived safely, got here around midnight last night. i woke around 6am and headed out to walk around while it was a bit empty. i had an egg mcmuffin for lunch bc there was nothing else open. great first meal, right? i have already gotten lost a few times but i've worked out the metro system for the most part.
with little mandarin, the people are still very very friendly and helpful. it's amazing how far a smile, a how are you, lots of pointing, and a thank you can go. i am determined to learn more of the language. i had an unbelieveable sushi lunch. i thought i was getting your average two plates of sushi with a bowl of miso soup. oh no, they kept bringing more and more food out. i had to bring it back to the hostel, and i'm going to TRY to eat it. i don't want it to go to waste.
i was given the DL on where to go new year's eve. it's called taipei 101, which until this year was the largest building in the world. they have a food court that was featured on bizzare foods that i can't wait to try. the elevator alone goes 37 miles per hour, and 400,000 people will be there to watch the fireworks. pretty exciting!

anyway, i have this hostel for 5 days, and it's fine. it's a run of the mill hostel, but at least they speak english.

the taiwanese people i have met are very curious about me. i stand out like a sore thumb with my hair and my obvious foreignness. i didn't think i would be as open to the culture as i have been the past day. i have heard so many stories of people blowing snot rockets and pushing you out of the way. so far, i think this is one of the CLEANEST cities i have ever been to!! no one throws trash or cigarettes on the street. not at all. surprisingly, there are very few trash cans. i obviously haven't seen the gritty parts of the city. the people are well dressed (mostly in black) and they like their markets with food i've never seen.

if today is any indication of what i have yet to experience, this is going to be a great trip!