I'm getting lazier and lazier with these blogs. It's just that we have so much packed during the day and so we don't really have time to ourselves until 9pm or so. The weather is also ridiculously humid. It's worse than Korea was last summer and I was there during monsoon season.
Today we had a discussion and then a lecture, and then complementary visits to the American Institute of Taiwan and the Mainland Affairs Council, all of which revolved around Cross-Strait Relations between China and Taiwan and then the US's role in everything. It was interesting to basically go over the historical facts and then to listen to government officials from both sides discuss the status quo and their expectations and desires. The people of Taiwan identify themselves differently from those in mainland China, but since Taiwan isn't a sovereign state, most have just settled for no change in the status quo. If everyone is content, then I suppose the system works.
After the visits we went to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. That place was huge. There were also two giant halls across from each other in this massive courtyard - one was for musicals and one was a concert hall. It would be their equivalent of our Broadway except they only have those two venues whereas Broadway has many.
After that, none of us were hungry because we had a late lunch [fusion food basically] so we went to the Taipei 101 skyscraper before dinner. I definitely bought a few souvenirs. It's apparently the fastest elevator ever - it went over 1000 m/minute and the elevator goes straight from the 5th floor to the 89th.
After that we had dinner at the amazing dumpling place. It was funny watching everyone try to use chopsticks. It was a good experience and good practice for them though. Afterward, some of us got off at the Night Market and did some shopping. I bought a watch for myself and a couple other souvenirs. I'm forcing myself to be picky since I have luggage weight restrictions and I want to save money for the rest of my trip. Plus I'm going to want to spend the rest of my remaining cash tomorrow night ;).
Alrighty it's so bedtime.
Sweet dreams,
Jen.
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