Lauren's Adventures in Taiwan

I need to re-clarify something. With the forced overnight, I'm now leaving a day sooner...the 16th instead of the 17th. Yay! Korea should be fun for a night...and I'll get a stamp in my passport. Whoohoo!

 :)  Lauren

I recieved an e-mail from our travel agent (he lives in Washington state!) saying that my itinerary has changed. This current itinerary is not set in stone yet. So I'm guessing that means they haven't bought the tickets...just reserved the seats. I was going to fly from St. Louis to Detroit to Osaka, Japan to Taipei ALL on Northwest Airlines. But because of the horrendous gas prices (they are pretty bad!) the airfare price went up $500. So, they switched us all over to Korean Airlines. Now, my flight schedule is something as follows: St. Louis to Chicago to Seoul, Korea. I'm going to have a "forced" overnight in Seoul. My flight gets there at 4:45 pm; they are putting us in a hotel, which I guess will be semi-benificial in getting used to the HUGE time change (12 hours most of the time, 13 hours in the winter). Then I'll wake up the next morning feeling refreshed and excited for the short leg from Seoul to Taipei. And then my family will be awaiting me there and I'll get to my host town! YAY!

I'll keep you updated in these coming weeks of any other changes. I think it'll be crazy to get everything set to go in time. I have to get presents to take to my host families and friends...it is hard (actually NEARLY impossible) to find any good gifts that aren't made in Asia. I also have to get a few more things to round off my wardrobe. :) That's definitely fun...anyways...more in the near future!

 Lauren

This is my first post on my new blog! Yay! I'll be accessing this blog from Taiwan as well and I promise to keep it as up to date as possible with all the info and pictures of my travels.

I spent last weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan with other students attending our Rotary orientation. There were those in the country, returning from other countries, and leaving to other countries that made up the nearly 1500 people that we crammed onto a small college campus. It was a TON of fun - late nights (like 2 am!) and early mornings (between 6:30 and 7am) without air-conditioning in the 90 degree plus weather...but it all turned out well.

So you may be wondering exactly what I did except party at this conference. We had meetings - lots of meetings to attend. They ranged from topics like "Adjusting to culture shock" to "What to pack" and "What to do when you get off the plane." Some of the meetings were really dull...because I have had the experience traveling overseas solo before and I didn't really need to be told how to get on a plane, get off a plane, get my bags, and go through customs. My favorite meetings were those with Taiwan rebounders - several Americans that just returned from their year-long stay in different parts of Taiwan. I also got the opportunity to meet others that are going to Taiwan with me. There are only 2 going to my city of 1 million (or more) people and 14 different Rotary clubs, but I will definitely meet lots of new people. This pretty much sums up my conference experience...if you have any additional questions, just leave a comment!

Now that I'm home, I feel like I'm sprinting to get ready in time. I have to get more gifts to take to my host families and future friends; clothes that fit; and finish some important paperwork that allows me to travel. Then when all that is done, I have to make it all fit into 2 suitcases and (probably) ship the gifts to my host family. In the meantime, I've also been tutoring in Chinese. I'm learning practical words and bits of conversation (as well as reading and writing) at a high rate of speed. So, at least I'll know a little something when I get there!

I look forward to keeping everyone that reads this in the loop with my adventures. Feel free to pass this link on to anyone (well, almost anyone!) that you think would enjoy reading about my adventures in the Far East!

Zai jian! (Goodbye!)
--Lauren