This morning I subbed a 50 min class for a coworker. I got off at 10am and I asked the Taiwanese secretaries which subway station I should get off to go to National Taiwan University. I need to go there to take my GRE. They told me it was this subway stop on the blue line. There are five main subway lines: red, blue, green, orange, brown. I got to the subway station and looked at the map to figure out what street I should go to. I walked out and saw a convenience store so I asked where was the university. He told me to go across the street and turn left. I started walking when I saw a sign that looked like it could have been the center. I went in and it was like a church and I asked the lady but she didn't understand me at all and got another person to help me who knew how to speak English. He told me to cross the street and turn left on Xin Sheng Road. He said I will pass two big intersections.
I then was walking when I saw the sign for Xin Sheng Road but there was no intersection. I saw a center where they teach English (like my workplace) so I figured I can ask someone who knew English. The lady didn't know how to speak English ironically but she summoned her coworker who knew little English. He told me I was going the right way and I need to keep going straight and then I will need to turn left when the road splits off. I then kept walking for awhile and I passed a sports arena. I then reached a big intersection and I didn't know if I should cross the street or turn left but I turned left and I saw a security guard relaxing outside on the sidewalk where there were people doing road construction.
I asked the security guard and he asked me the address. I told him and I said I was going to the right direction and I just need to keep going straight. I said thank you and was about to leave when he asks, just one question, where are you from? He had the biggest grin on his face. It was so cute! I go guess! He said "dong ya ren" which I didn't understand so I said no. Then he said American? I said yes! Then I told him my background and he said oh yeah and I asked him what "dong ya ren" was and he said it was like Asian, from another Asian country. I asked him if he could tell I was ABC and he said I didn't look like it but when I started talking he knew I wasn't from Taiwan because of my accent. Then he was so nice and asked me if I was traveling by myself. I said yes and he told me I should be careful especially walking on the sidewalks since there are motorcycles. He said you know how to get home right? I said yes and if anything I can take the taxi. We had a good conversation and he just wanted to know what I was doing in Taipei. He was super sweet and then I left and he goes bye! Be careful lol I then kept walking and finally I saw a gate and I noticed there was a campus map. I was trying to find the LTTC which is the center where I need to take my GRE. I was looking around and trying to read the map when I noticed that the place was right in front of me! Urgh..I go in and I saw the counter. The first thing I usually say to people in Chinese is "Sorry, my Chinese is bad." Then I start talking. When I said that to the guy at the counter he goes yeah I know. I was like geez wow..wasn't expecting that response. I asked to make sure this was the place to take my test and he said yes. Then I needed to go home and I was trying to find a subway station near the place. He gave me a map and showed me the nearest subway station but I need to switch lines.
I left and found the subway station to only find out that it was the brown line. I have to switch two lines from my house. That takes forever especially since my test is this Fri. at 8:30am. It took me about 1 1/2 hrs to find the place! I think I will take a taxi there and then take the subway home after I'm done with the test. Then in my class tonight there was a little bug but my student killed it thank goodness. I'm glad it wasn't a cockroach! After work Drew and I were planning to run on the track but it closed down because of construction work. We ended up running outside on the street though so at least we got a workout!
-Chihchat
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