I created a scrapbook of my time living in Taiwan
My first time celebrating Chinese New Year was in Taiwan in 1994, and it was really special. The team owner (aka Big Boss) invited us to the Lai Lai Sheraton hotel in Taipei. The hotel was beautiful, with a dragon painted on its walls.
We ate at the Executive Club restaurant on the 17th floor. Dinner included ten different dishes including shark fin soup, which cost $100 a bowl and takes a week to make!! There was spicy shrimp in a tomato sauce, fried rice, noodles with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and thin pieces of chicken. There was a fruit tray, red wine, orange juice, and other delicious dishes I wish I could remember (why didn’t I take pictures?? If only iPhones existed then!)
My son received two red envelopes with 500 NT & 2000NT = $100 U.S.
Everyone was so kind and generous to us.
Visiting the team house
At the game
The newspapers loved us
More articles we had to get translated 😉
Outside my 1st apartment building in Tianmu, where many nights were spent playing video games until the wee hours
The hilly street where I lived – great workout walking up and down that hill
Helping (or more like watching) Monica make spring rolls
The Rainbow Coalition
In my second year, I met these amazing ex-pats aka “The Rainbow Coalition.” Our coalition represented many races and nationalities. We had monthly potlucks, conversations, birthdays, and lots of laughter! Oh and this isnt even everyone!
Random beautiful stamps
In a weird twist of fate, I met one of my closest friends in Taiwan. We attended the same university in New Orleans at the SAME time but never crossed paths until a basketball game in Taipei. We’ve lived in different countries, states, briefly in the same Cali beach town, and remain friends.
Friendship- Celebrating my birthday in Denver 28 years after meeting in Taiwan.
In conclusion, I didn’t know back then how blessed I was to experience living in different countries. These experiences and especially the people shaped me into who I am today. I’ll treasure these memories in my heart forever.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Peace!