Winter In Taiwan

Six days. Taipei. Kaoshiung. Taichung. The trip to Taiwan with my fiancé was the highlight of my Christmas vacation. This is not to discount the wonderful time I spent with family and the moments I got to bond with my niece and nephews but to emphasize the adventures we had looking for local food shops that sold xiao long baos, taking photos of and with temples, street corners, and geological wonders, and savoring what little time we had together.

Like any large metropolis, the three cities we visited have all the elements you would expect: crowds, towering skyscrapers, and a variety of shops and restaurants. It's interesting though that the traffic wasn't as bad as New York City or Cebu. The holidays may have been a factor but I think it's worth noting. It was winter when we went but the weather was mild for the most part; the temperature ranged from the low 70s during the day, low 60s at night, and it only rained on the last two days of our stay (but nothing crazy).

We planned our itinerary in advance and booked guided tours in chauffeured cars which proved to be quite convenient. Had we relied solely on public transportation, it would've taken us hours to get to the remote areas we visited. A long bus ride is something we'll have to save for another time.

The one admirable thing that best captures the essence of this country, aside from their amazing food, is their service oriented mentality. From the hotel staff to restaurant servers to Uber drivers, everyone aims to please and make things easier for you. It made me nostalgic for Japan a bit because they appear to have the same DNA. Wouldn't it be great if everyone had this disposition?

Interestingly, Taiwan is not one of my must-visit countries. We were looking for a destination that had the cheapest airfare (LOL) and it was the one that came up. After looking at a few Instagram photos and reading Pinterest articles, we thought it was worth a try. Thank God we did! Because aside from discovering its not-so-well-known qualities, I developed a deeper appreciation for my travel buddy (😍).

It has been said that travel gives one the opportunity to know another person in a way you wouldn't otherwise: how they handle last minute changes to the itinerary, flight delays, and lost luggage. It offers insights on how they deal with inclement weather that put a damper on certain plans, when someone is sick, or when someone loses their wallet (or forget where they put their cellphones) due to carelessness. Do they get cranky when they're hungry, tired, or sleepy? Do they allow minor annoyances to ruin the day? Are they willing to try new things? What do they do when the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere? Do they throw a tantrum when they don't get their way? How do they relate with the locals, especially the rude and unkind ones?

This is not the first time we've traveled together. Over the years, we've had glimpses of each other's quirks: how "light" we pack our bags and how fast or how slow it takes us to get ready in the morning. On our 2-week road trip in New Zealand last August I learned how patient this man could be (for which I'm utterly grateful). On this Taiwan escapade, I have noted his ability to be flexible and roll with the punches, how he offers a calming perspective to situations that make me antsy (i.e., the tour  provider not contacting us as expected), how fun he could be, and how much I enjoy his company.

The opportunity to explore a country whose language you don't understand or speak and turns ordering dinner into a creative exercise is something anyone would be privileged to experience. But more importantly, being in places that take you out of your comfort zone is a great way to develop your character. It also allows you to form a bond with your travel companion that you normally won't have under ordinary circumstances. Shared experiences, good and bad, add depth and dimension to any relationship. These I will treasure forever.

I'd go anywhere with you; even in the middle of winter under pouring rain.