Hi, let me introduce myself. My name is Josh Chen and I have recently moved in with my grandmother here (2 weeks ago) in Kaohsiung near the chengching lake. I am 20 years old and am taking a 2hour/day introductory class to learn chinese. Aside from that, there isn’t much I have been able to find to do with the rest of my day.
My question is obvious, what is there to do here in Kaohsiung? I’v been reading the boards over and see many people boasting of the activities available in Taipei, but nobody really says much about Kaohsiung (from what I gather). Maybe there is another board or website based primarily on Kaohsiung somebody could direct me too?
Perhaps somebody (English speaking preferably) could show me around a bit? I must admit, I really don’t have any friends here in Taiwan aside from my classmates but I really want to try and have a good time while I’m here (till the end of the year).
What kind of activities would be available for someone like me in Kaohsiung?
What would be a good way to meet new people and make new friends here?
My cellular phone number here is 0952235039. Feel free to contact me or respond to this thread if you have ideas specific to Kaohsiung, or just want somebody to hang out with.
I agree, this board is Taipei oriented. There was an earlier posing on that topic. As I also live in Gaoxiong, I wish there were postings here relevant to life in Gaoxiong.
Having said that, here are some suggestions.
Get out of the Cheng Ching Lake area. There’s nothing happening there. (Except for a couple excellent pubs.)
There is a place worth checking out if you’d like to learn some martial arts, performing arts, or just hang out and do some healthy things, and that is Mindful Phoenix Arts located at Zhong Zheng 2nd Rd., # 165 (near AIT, if you know where that is.) tel. 223-0581. You will encounter a friendly and fun mix of foreigners and locals. It does cost a bit to join, but not much.
Hop on a bus, any bus, and see where it takes you.
Do some hiking around Zhong Shan University. Just aim for the ‘mountain’ and keep going. Be sure to get down to the coast. NOBODY goes there. (exploring required)
Also, you might be a good candidate to come and speak to a class I’ll be teaching in the fall at a college in Pingtung. It’s a class on cultural differences (focusing on those between Taiwan and the US), and my students are exactly your age. It might be fun to have someone their age come in and talk about their (your) impressions of Taiwan and how it differs from your home. Where are you from?
I’m a boring, middle-aged, married guy, so I don’t think I’d be a good candidate for hanging out, but maybe we could get something going on a more focused level.
If you are interested in Aikido, come September I’m planning to be a uchi deshi which means “full time student”. Would you be interested in something like that?