Embarking on my Taiwan Trip and Unparalleled Generosity

Taiwan Photo Gallery

It was another busy morning as I had plenty to do before my evening flight to Taiwan. Additionally, it was only my second day with my new roommate, a Hong Kong first year business student named Edmund. I suppose it is nice having someone to talk if I am bored, but there were never any boring moments to begin with. All in all, I am afraid I have lost my place of solitude; the people of Hong Kong regularly stay up to 4 or 5am.

By mid-afternoon I finished packing my belongings and made off for the airport. I stopped at an airport bookshop and picked up a Taiwan travel guide. As of that moment, I had no idea what I was going to do in Taiwan! Nevertheless, I was feeling anxious to touch down and begin traveling again. My travels from the summer already feel like a distant memory, and I have hardly had a chance to reflect back on them. Without exception, each new experience makes old ones pale in comparison - leaving no time for dawdling.

Upon boarding the airplane, I immediately struck up a conversation with a man, Albert, sitting next to me. I was curious to know “everything Taiwan”, and he was happy to entertain me. One of the biggest gains from my travels is that I am much more open and willing to take risks in starting conversations.

Originally from Malaysia, Albert studied chemical engineering in Taiwan before entering the world of engineering consulting. At present, he travels extensively and was able to discuss everything from emerging markets to politics for all the Asian countries. The conversation lasted for the entire two hour flight, and eventually he brought up where I was going to stay for the night. Realizing I had not even opened my tour book, I began shuffling through the pages. In the past, I always found a way to make things work, and so I was not too worried about landing without a clue.

Unfortunately, the flight was not scheduled to touch down until after 11pm, meaning there would be no public transportation for the one hour ride to Taipei. After hearing that I was planning on sleeping at the airport for the night, Albert insisted on having his wife drive me to a local motel. I was hesitant to agree because it was not something I planned for, but I eventually gave in.

Albert’s family picked us up at the airport (wife and two young children), and we had a lot of fun talking in the car. At ages of 5 and 9, the children spoke exceptional English. Albert insisted that they attend English schools because it opened so many doors for him - he speaks eight languages.

After a 30 minute drive, Albert and his wife agreed on a hotel for me. I could not believe my eyes as we pulled in! The rooms were all over $100/night, and he insisted on paying for the whole thing. He said he wished he could travel like me when he was young, and was happy to assist me in a time of need. There was a lot of hugging and sharing of smiles as I parted with his family on great terms. I have posted some pictures of the room, but it was basically the equivalent of a suite at a 5-Star U.S. hotel. Truly extraordinary, and I slept like a king that night.