The Allen's Online Blog
Phillip and Jennifer are currently living in Taiwan for a year! Jennifer is working for an international school teaching first grade (yes, this is new!). Phillip will be working on his education and taking good care of his wife..... page down to the bottom of this page to view past posts! Thanks for visiting www.phillipedwardallen.comSaturday, March 8, 2008
Taiwan Things
There are a lot of things about Taiwan that don't stick out as being so different from what we're used to. Actually, the longer you're here, the more everything seems normal. Just to give you an idea of some of the little differences that start to seem normal, here's a list of Taiwanese things:
1. Family vehicle = scooter, fitting Mom, Dad, up to three kids and a dog
2. Stinky tofu
3. Squid on a stick
4. Corn and peas on every pizza
5. Corn on or in everything you order
6. Traffic lights are taken as suggestions
7. 7-11's on every corner, all of which sell tea eggs
8. KTV, or karaoke, is the thing to do on holidays... or any day
9. Bones even in chicken nuggets
10. Squat toilets
11. ALWAYS at least one hair in any meal when eating out
12. Men chewing and spitting betel nut everywhere you go
13. No tipping at restaurants
14. Night markets
15. Packs of dogs roaming the streets
16. Chasing after garbage trucks playing the ice cream truck song
17. Paying higher prices based on the fact we're white
18. The overwhelming smell of...?
19. Eating out every day is normal, and usually cheaper than cooking at home
20. Spending $3 U.S. a week on gas
1. Family vehicle = scooter, fitting Mom, Dad, up to three kids and a dog
2. Stinky tofu
3. Squid on a stick
4. Corn and peas on every pizza
5. Corn on or in everything you order
6. Traffic lights are taken as suggestions
7. 7-11's on every corner, all of which sell tea eggs
8. KTV, or karaoke, is the thing to do on holidays... or any day
9. Bones even in chicken nuggets
10. Squat toilets
11. ALWAYS at least one hair in any meal when eating out
12. Men chewing and spitting betel nut everywhere you go
13. No tipping at restaurants
14. Night markets
15. Packs of dogs roaming the streets
16. Chasing after garbage trucks playing the ice cream truck song
17. Paying higher prices based on the fact we're white
18. The overwhelming smell of...?
19. Eating out every day is normal, and usually cheaper than cooking at home
20. Spending $3 U.S. a week on gas
Labels: Culture
Monday, January 28, 2008
Congratulations David and Yaru!
We attended our first Taiwanese wedding yesterday. Actually, it was a mixed American and Taiwanese wedding -- racially, culturally, and linguistically. Phillip was blessed with the experience of leading worship for the service. The ceremony was in English and Chinese, including the vows of the bride and groom. It was held in a church, and was very similar to a traditional American wedding. The reception, however, was anything but traditional... at least, according to American tradition. The reception was held in a beautiful Chinese restaurant built over waterways and filled with red lanterns. The meal consisted of fourteen courses (including plenty of raw fish and other Chinese dishes that I'm not always the first to eat, but some very tasty dishes as well)and lasted for over three hours. According to Taiwanese tradition, the bride changed three times throughout the reception. Each change was thorough; including coordinating jewelry, hair clips, and shoes. It was an amazing experience.
My mom should be grateful that we're not Taiwanese. She would have had to make me four wedding dresses.
My mom should be grateful that we're not Taiwanese. She would have had to make me four wedding dresses.
Labels: Culture
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