Finally... the Taiwanese Wedding (Part 2 of 5)
Now let's discuss the .
I gotta tell you I was a bit concerned upon arrival, because I was in yet another country where I couldn't speak the language only this time when I couldn't find my envoy, as it were, I had no number to call, no idea how to begin to ask for help, and no clue why no one was there to pick me up. It turned out that FuYung was just a bit late. Apparently, Japan was already starting to get to me back then. With their obsessive punctuality, her just being the littlest bit late made me nervous.
Immediately, I met Wayne, again English name although this one was closer to his Chinese name. He was kind enough to fairy us around town. Taipei was like a city nestled in a rainforest with it thick green foliage, high humidity, and numerous tropical birds fluttering in and out of the mountains. It was probably the most humid any place I've been, but there was a constant breeze passing by. I was thrilled that I still loved it. I've always wanted to see the rainforest but in the back of my mind there was a nagging feeling that I would collapse under the heavy humidity and this was proof that I could handle it and the possibility was still out there.
Anyway, I was only beginning to admire the wilderness before entering the city when FuYung informed me that Helen wanted me as a second bride's maid. I was taken aback by the offer. I saw the request as an honor and she asked as if it was an inconvenience. When I stammered with the answer, both Wayne and FuYung seemed to think that I was reluctant and quickly said that I didn't have to if it was too short of a notice.
I agreed and my day was outlined for me: touring the city until dinner with the family, and right afterwards we would go to the dress store to pick the dresses. As it was explained to me, the Chinese rent their dresses and Helen had gotten a 5 dress package. The bride gets 3 (which will be explained later) FuYung's bride's maid dress was the 4th leaving one extra for a second bride's maid. I was very honored, but I'm sure that if she had another sister they would've gotten the position. Lucky for me, it took the concern of dressing properly for the wedding out of the equation.
Helen's fiance was from the country so that's where the wedding was going to take place. The Wang family didn't seem to thrilled about the trip out of the city. I was happy however at the chance to see both parts of the country. And when I explained that the trip across the entire country was about as long as my frequent trips between Louisville and Murray, the only ones not surprised were Wayne and FuYung, both of who lived briefly in Oklahoma. Taipei was crowded and a bit dirty, a natural grittiness which was a relief to the extreme facade of perfection Japan tried so hard to create all the time. As I've been saying more frequently when the incompetence smacks you in the face, "They try so hard to be efficient, they become extremely inefficient." Plus the stress of it looms over everyone like a depressing anvil about to fall. Taiwan was a nice relief.
I really did enjoy myself. The only thing I did concern myself with were the numerous dogs that wondered the streets. I got a bit used to the idea in Italy where the stray pets were considered a responsibility of the people how frequently gave scraps and the like to the wondering animals. Some even at times kinda took them in. So while we might see them as poor and/or abandoned to a hard life, they were actually quite happy. Anyway, I liked to think of these dogs like that but I didn't want to ask because I was a bit afraid of the answer.
The people seemed to let them lead their own lives. It was a kind of freedom that I don't think they would get in the US, but I imagine that it comes with a cost.
Can't wait until I make it home. I miss everyone and I really want to see Darcy.
To Be Continued...
Trying to be Breezy
I gotta tell you I was a bit concerned upon arrival, because I was in yet another country where I couldn't speak the language only this time when I couldn't find my envoy, as it were, I had no number to call, no idea how to begin to ask for help, and no clue why no one was there to pick me up. It turned out that FuYung was just a bit late. Apparently, Japan was already starting to get to me back then. With their obsessive punctuality, her just being the littlest bit late made me nervous.
Immediately, I met Wayne, again English name although this one was closer to his Chinese name. He was kind enough to fairy us around town. Taipei was like a city nestled in a rainforest with it thick green foliage, high humidity, and numerous tropical birds fluttering in and out of the mountains. It was probably the most humid any place I've been, but there was a constant breeze passing by. I was thrilled that I still loved it. I've always wanted to see the rainforest but in the back of my mind there was a nagging feeling that I would collapse under the heavy humidity and this was proof that I could handle it and the possibility was still out there.
Anyway, I was only beginning to admire the wilderness before entering the city when FuYung informed me that Helen wanted me as a second bride's maid. I was taken aback by the offer. I saw the request as an honor and she asked as if it was an inconvenience. When I stammered with the answer, both Wayne and FuYung seemed to think that I was reluctant and quickly said that I didn't have to if it was too short of a notice.
I agreed and my day was outlined for me: touring the city until dinner with the family, and right afterwards we would go to the dress store to pick the dresses. As it was explained to me, the Chinese rent their dresses and Helen had gotten a 5 dress package. The bride gets 3 (which will be explained later) FuYung's bride's maid dress was the 4th leaving one extra for a second bride's maid. I was very honored, but I'm sure that if she had another sister they would've gotten the position. Lucky for me, it took the concern of dressing properly for the wedding out of the equation.
Helen's fiance was from the country so that's where the wedding was going to take place. The Wang family didn't seem to thrilled about the trip out of the city. I was happy however at the chance to see both parts of the country. And when I explained that the trip across the entire country was about as long as my frequent trips between Louisville and Murray, the only ones not surprised were Wayne and FuYung, both of who lived briefly in Oklahoma. Taipei was crowded and a bit dirty, a natural grittiness which was a relief to the extreme facade of perfection Japan tried so hard to create all the time. As I've been saying more frequently when the incompetence smacks you in the face, "They try so hard to be efficient, they become extremely inefficient." Plus the stress of it looms over everyone like a depressing anvil about to fall. Taiwan was a nice relief.
I really did enjoy myself. The only thing I did concern myself with were the numerous dogs that wondered the streets. I got a bit used to the idea in Italy where the stray pets were considered a responsibility of the people how frequently gave scraps and the like to the wondering animals. Some even at times kinda took them in. So while we might see them as poor and/or abandoned to a hard life, they were actually quite happy. Anyway, I liked to think of these dogs like that but I didn't want to ask because I was a bit afraid of the answer.
The people seemed to let them lead their own lives. It was a kind of freedom that I don't think they would get in the US, but I imagine that it comes with a cost.
Can't wait until I make it home. I miss everyone and I really want to see Darcy.
To Be Continued...
Trying to be Breezy