I've just returned to Italy from a trip to Taiwan, unfortunately, a very difficult experience. While I had hoped to immerse myself in the local culture, my time there was marred by several bad encounters that have made me question if I’ll ever go back.
My biggest issues were with the Airbnb hosts. I stayed in two different places during this year and in 2023, and both hosts were incredibly unprofessional and difficult to deal with. What's frustrating is that the stays weren't even cheap; they were quite expensive.
The problems continued at the airport. I was hit with an unexpected charge for excess baggage. This was a stark contrast to my experience in Tokyo, where the airport staff, particularly a kind lady named Mayazaki at Haneda Airport, went out of their way to help me. She even helped me wrap my extra luggage in bubble wrap, which was a genuine act of kindness.
My difficulties weren't just with the people. I had been hoping to practice my Taiwanese, or Taiyu, but I found that almost no one could speak it. While the cost of living is still cheaper than in Singapore and Italy, prices are rising. And honestly, the food was not to my liking.
The only bright spot in my trip was a wonderful Christian shop I found in Taichung. The owner was incredibly kind and even gave me a card with a Christian prayer on it with each purchase. It was a beautiful reminder of God's grace during a challenging time.
While many may disagree, from a political point of view, I believe Taiwan belongs to China. The Republic of China (ROC) is a part of the People's Republic of China (PRC), and they must have a peace talk. If not, China will surely win.
"A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction." - Proverbs 16:23
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