Just moved to Pingzhen (平鎮) from the US, would like some advice on meeting people

[Incubus]

@Sternfan

@PeiHua-Connie

You like the train, I prefer the ontime Taoyuan METRO and not having wait a long time between trains.

Take the hsr to Taoyuan Station, then hop on the airport line for the last few stops. It’s faster and cheaper than taking the airport line all the way.

It used to be a pleasure to take the airport line, especially the express train, but ever since they introduced the T-Pass, the trains are all packed. The express trains are also suspended on weekends, so you’re left with the very slow commuter train. Yes, take the more efficient HSR if you’re going all the way to Taoyuan.

[afterspivak]

@Incubus

The [Taoyuan MRT] express trains are . . . suspended on weekends, so you’re left with the very slow commuter train.

What?!?!

Guy

[Incubus]

On weekdays they stagger the express and commuter trains, but just yesterday, I was going from Taoyuan HSR toward Taipei, and all the trains appearing on the monitor were commuter. I assume there aren’t any express trains due to low ridership on weekends?

[Taiwan_Luthiers]

You’re going to be standing a lot on express trains, there’s way less seats on them.

[gavmasterflash]

Both of these are night run hashes, so maybe not for everyone. There is also Bear Hash, which runs on Saturdays, and they tend to do a lot of their runs in the Taoyuan area as that is where many of them are from. Officially, they are not a Taoyuan only hash, but in a de facto way, they end up having a lot of runs in Taoyuan County.

[gavmasterflash]

Well, that’s exactly what a hash “run” is. Although running is not at all mandatory, there are plenty of walkers/hikers who join the “runs.” But yeah, we do go through mountains and wilderness and that’s the point. It’s not for everyone and that’s okay. And you have to pay because there are snacks and drinks at the end, which are included for what you pay, so it’s not like you get nothing for your money. And any profit goes toward an end of year Christmas party, at least is the case for Taiwan Hash. If you went to enough runs over the year, you get a free Christmas party. And hash cash is only 250, so it’s not like you’re breaking the bank on a day out. It’s an especially good value if you can drink a lot of beer, lol…

[kaiqie]

i always forget about bear hash

[bz]

That’s an interesting article, I only knew it as an informal thing done primarily by the British diplomatic corp.

[CTaitung]

@henn

Well for now I just work construction with my aunts boyfriend. They’re currently building an “air bnb” type resort up in the mountains of Fuxing from scratch. I make some money through that and I have a bit of money saved from the states over the years. I guess I’m just waiting for them to contact me to serve in the military which is they told me is probably gonna be in January next year. So I have a bit of free time on my hands. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back and I’ve never understood this place. I think I should since I was born here. I currently don’t really have plans to head back to the states in the future. I just think it might be a little less stressful to ease in to my stay here starting with some English speaking friends than to jump straight into trying to meet Taiwanese friends since I can’t read or write at all. I am planning on learning how to though.

Pingzhen still fun or already lost its charm?

Still working, or already started your military duty?
If the latter, then quite a few people would be interested in how it is going as they may soon do it themselves, or have children who will eventually have to do.

[afterspivak]

Yes. @henn it’s be interesting to hear how things turned out for you.

Guy