A while ago I posted about how I just arrived to Taiwan and how excited I was,
Well I’m starting toget really really bored and somewaht depressed. I did come alone, so almost all the time I am here I am by myself and I have really nothing to do until my classes start at Feng chia University.
All I really do right now is just wander the streets until I get tired, and go inside somewhere to use a computer then go eat then sleep and then repeat everything. What did you guys do on your first days? I know a lot of you came as teachers, but I’m sure some of you came as students?
I feel it hard to make friends and the girls would be impossible to date, but hey whatever, I just really hope it gets better, I really took those trip very optimistically and I don’t want to complain about what’s going on yet, (or complain a lot), but I guess you can say I’m stressin.
The worst thing is that I can’t tell my family how crappy I’m having it here in Taichung, I don’t want them to feel worried or anything.
Any feedback or just plain out thoughts would really make me feel a bit better.
Don’t sweat it - what’s happening to you is completely normal. You just got here. Give yourself some time to get a routine. When I first got here, I spent quite a few afternoons in the air-conditioned comfort of McDonald’s reading, and practicing my characters. Take this downtime as a blessing - you’ll probably never get it back again. If you’re really desperate you can start posting obsessively in the politics forums!
That’s very encouraging Maoman, but let’s keep in mind that he is wherever the hell Fengchia University is–a question that I have been wondering about for almost 15 years now.
Seriously, I think things will get better after you start classes. You will have more to do. In the meantime, can’t you find something you enjoy doing like playing basketball or playing World of Warcraft until 6 in the morning at the wangka? Where is the public library?
Where is Fengchia university (seriously)? Taichung?
I wandered the streets a lot, getting a feel for the city (Taipei, in my case) and building a mental map of it. This has come in handy a lot, as it’s been my experience that asking Taiwanese for directions doesn’t always result in getting the right answer.
And I went to museums. But that’s me.
You should think of places that are normally crowded on weekends and take advantage of your free time to see them now. And don’t worry. It gets better.
I’d suggest heading down to one of the many bars downtown like FM, The Londoner, or La Bodega. They get a good crowd going on most nights. Plenty of people to talk to, both foreign and Chinese.
If you’re not a drinker, maybe you can pick up a Compass magazine. It lists a lot of activities you can take part in throughout the week, including hiking, soccer, amongst other things.
Have you thought about teaching? I’ve met many of my friends through work. I know you’re in class, but even a part time gig at just 5-10 hours a week will get you in an environment to potentially meet some new people.
It took me a while to get accustomed to life over here. It’s a little lonely in the beginning, but once you get a good routine and start meeting some friends, it’ll all be smooth sailing. Good luck to you.
I have my doubts about how many museums there are in Fengchia.
Here’s an idea…why don’t you start practicing your KTV skills? These will be crucial after you start dating. And if what Sandman is saying about Fengchia is correct, I bet there are a ton of coin-operated KTV roadhouse joints around–NT$10 per pop.
Shrimp-fishing is a great time killer for those long afternoons–and they usually have discounts during the week.
And don’t forget your local pool hall. Take some lessons with the house pro–you’ll meet people and improve your game.
I know there’s an enormous night market of quite staggering crappiness at Fengchia. For the bumpkins in the city for the day it’s quite the place to be seen. You can stock up on your flipflops and fake Versace fake silk shirts. Probably could get a nice tight perm, too.
Thre art museum is worth an afternoon, and they have another one in Tizhong i took the family to once, I recall seeing a mummy.
The earthquake museum in Wufeng is also worth a visit, it should be some 20 minutes south-east from Taizhong proper, IE thru Dali and Wufeng.
Apart from that, getting things sorted, IE a scooter or a bike etc. Good for exploring as public transport here is OK in Taipei, and honestly sucks if in existence anywhere else on this island.
The first weeks here I:
Walked a lot.
Ran into a few foreigners at a local hostel. One got me sorted datewise.
Got a GF - hint, you can put up a notice looking for LE patners.
Get a “language exchange” ASAP. Get her to help you get a cell phone and a scooter if you don’t already have those. If you’re only going to be here a semester or a year, I’d just shack up with her and ignore the foreigner pub scene.
[quote=“almas john”]Bored? Lonely? Too much time on your hands?
Time to buy a porno mag. [/quote]
My mum swears I don’t have a brother, but comments like this make me wonder… One handed jazz mags are your friend.
Taichung must be quite a freak out for you, what with it being a shit hole and all.
I agree with the suggestion about the Londoner as a good bar to meet other honkies. Sound Garden is another good bet. I could get a few of my buddies to meet you in a bar somewhere, but to be honest they are filthy creatures, (love 'em) and you’d be better off waiting to meet some fellow students… But if you do fancy a train wreck followed by a punch up just send me a p.m.! (Just kidding, pm me if you want me to try get you in contact with some good folks there.)
Get a copy of compass magazine, go walking in Da Ken, see the fancy art museum in Taichung city, luxuriate in the Gold Class seats at Tiger City, hell have a cheese burger and a mega beer at Chili’s in Tiger City, and masturbate like your life depended on it.
Well thank you all for making me feel more relieved. I just feel… I don’t know, stuck is maybe the word I’m looking for. It’s like im permanently moping around and I can’t seem to stop.
Im going to try your suggestions though and see what happens. I really didnt think I would get culture shock, I thought I would always stay in stage one of culture shock, excitement and fun
By the way Feng chia is in Taichung, it has its own district and its own huge night market where i dont buy anything from. It’s part of my wandering territory.
Well thank you all for making me feel more relieved. I just feel… I don’t know, stuck is maybe the word I’m looking for. It’s like I’m permanently moping around and I can’t seem to stop.
I’m going to try your suggestions though and see what happens. I really didnt think I would get culture shock, I thought I would always stay in stage one of culture shock, excitement and fun
By the way Feng chia is in Taichung, it has its own district and its own huge night market where I don’t buy anything from. It’s part of my wandering territory.[/quote]
I’m in London otherwise I’d take you out for some beers. Try the night market food, experiment with it. See which foods create the most gut wrenching noises. Make a game of it.
Rememebr you changed your whole life. Rome was built in a month. Give yourself that amount of time.
If you have time, why not do some trips around the island as well? Take the HSR to Kaohsiung and then the bus down to kending and hang out there. Lots of young people around to chat up?
Then take a train on to TAitung and Hualien and visit the Taroko Gorge? And make ur way up around the north. Visit TAipei and then back to the chung.
Go and hang out at the local cafes during the daytime. Chances are good that some gal will chat you up. Especially in Taipei.
Taichung girls are shyer and you have to make the first move.
IF your first pass is successful…boom your in. The girl likely will lead your conversation from there.
Anyway do some travelling. Its a great chance to do so now before you get too busy.
And when classes start you will make tons of friends.
*something similar and a nice story. I was taking a bus to the mall a few years ago here in the bay area. And a little boy bout 10 was just hanging around the bus stop. I was the only other person there so he started chatting with me and asked me if I lived around there and if I had a son? When I asked him why? He said he just moved over to the area and had zero friends and was extremely bored and if I had a son his age, he could have a friend? I was moved at his plight and enterprising spirit. But thought hanging out at bus stops is not really safe for a young kid.
Anyway I told him that when school starts (ithis was the the middle of summer at that time) he will have plenty of friends and to hang in there. And also not to hang out at bus stops and talk to strangers !!
This isnt you, of course. But when school starts, friends can be easily made. IN the meantime. Get out there !! Travel around the city and the island. Adventures await you my friend. Usually when you dont expect it, something nice happens.
Well thank you all for making me feel more relieved. I just feel… I don’t know, stuck is maybe the word I’m looking for. It’s like I’m permanently moping around and I can’t seem to stop.
I’m going to try your suggestions though and see what happens. I really didnt think I would get culture shock, I thought I would always stay in stage one of culture shock, excitement and fun
By the way Feng chia is in Taichung, it has its own district and its own huge night market where I don’t buy anything from. It’s part of my wandering territory.[/quote]
I’m in London otherwise I’d take you out for some beers. Try the night market food, experiment with it. See which foods create the most gut wrenching noises. Make a game of it.
Rememebr you changed your whole life. Rome was built in a month. Give yourself that amount of time.[/quote]
good call Tom. Any of you guys out in the Chung…take the brother out man !! HOok him up !!
Yes indeed. Most of it is crammed into a single alleyway and gets unbelievably crowded, to the point that you can barely move. It does have the best tattoo parlor in Taichung, though.
Rabidpie: You are not alone. I live in Taichung, work when I feel like it, and am more than happy to take you out for a game of pool or a beer and shoot the breeze. Shoot me an email: brendonh@gmail.com
And yeah, some disorientation and mood swings are normal, you’ll be fine.
You can stock up on your flipflops and fake Versace fake silk shirts. Probably could get a nice tight perm, too.