Taiwan: An Honest Account of an Evolving Relationship
After seven visits to Taiwan—from a successful toy exhibition to a pivotal job interview—my initial enchantment with the island has deepened into a more complex understanding. The journey has revealed a place that is both intimately familiar and subtly changed.
The Early Enchantment and Practical Wisdom
A Sense of Purpose: My second trip was a great success as I sold my handmade toys at an exhibition, and my third provided a professional opportunity with a job interview in Kaohsiung.
Invaluable Hospitality: During my second and third visits, I was blessed with an incredibly kind Christian host in his 23rd-floor apartment, a truly wonderful and memorable experience.
Smart Strategy: Over time, I learned that staying in a downtown location was key to unlocking the city's secrets, allowing me to avoid long, draining metro rides.
Cultural Riches: The island was a treasure trove of culture, with endless museums and historical sites to explore. Its night markets were a symphony of scents and sounds.
The Fading Magic and Hard-Learned Lessons
Rising Costs: The golden age of affordability has vanished. The cost of food, transport, and even housing rent has become startlingly high.
A Cautionary Tale: My experience with online tickets for Taipei 101 was a hard lesson. I had to cancel due to bad weather but was never refunded. It's a reminder to be cautious and consider buying at the counter or through Klook instead.
Mixed Encounters: The kindness I initially found was not universal. My last two trips were marred by unwelcoming Airbnb hosts, and I noticed a judgmental tone towards my Chinese accent.
The Myth of Friendliness: After staying for a month, I realized that the people of Taipei are not as friendly as they are often perceived to be. My experience was that the people of Kaohsiung were far friendlier, as were the residents of Tamsui, though that area is far from the city. I only met four kind people in Tamsui—a security guard, a chef at a shop, a family-mart young man and the kind hearted worker at the 中華郵政
Monotonous Landscape: The cities, once a place of endless discovery, have begun to feel static and uninspired. The initial wonder has given way to a repetitive landscape, with every corner dominated by the familiar, "cookie-cutter" glow of 7-Eleven and FamilyMart.
