Taipei - Hong Kong - Aachen

Taipei City - Taiwan

Why Taipei? Cos I lived there altogether for almost 7 years and there are a lot of stories to tell! I was heading to Taipei, one year after I finished my high school (when I was 19 years old). The first time when I stepped my feet in Taipei City, I was very excited! "Wow totally cool!" That was how I thought. The city never sleeps; party all nite long then grab your breakfast at the closest breakfast shop, go to 7-11 in the middle of the nite when you don't have anything in your fridge. Like a proverb says 'When in Rome, do like the Romans do' kalo bahasa Indonesia berarti Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung....beda jauh yah?!?!?!
Of course I wanted to do what the natives do hehehe. Partying, attending local cultural celebration, taking tea courses, traveling the through the island :D ... It was the craziest time in my life, and the one that I remember the most! But there was the problem : I didn't speak Chinese :O ..... No worries! I took intensive Chinese course at the university, normally people go there only for a couple hours, but I went there from 10 am until 5 pm. But it was worth it. Two years later I went to a famous university in Taipei City to study fashion design. Normally people study there for 4 years, but it took me 4,5 years. Cos I partied 3 times a week; Wednesday (lady's nite), Friday and Saturday. I could go to party until 6 am then grabbed some sandwich at the local bakery and went to my class (I even had make up classes on Saturday and Sunday). One day, I met my teacher at the university. He called my name, smiled at me and said, "The party must have been great." I smiled back and showed my panda eyes and answered, "Totally!"

If you are not white (darker than the Taiwanese) and living in Taiwan, don't be shocked if they disdain you. It is normal in Taiwan...., but as long as you speak better English than them, they don't dare to fool you. And it is also a part of Asian cultures to ask what is not supposed to ask like: how much money you earn? what are your parents do? how many cars/houses do you have? and so on. I was being asked a lot about my parents do and how much money they earn, and I was fed up so I answered them like this,"My dad is a mafia and my mum is a pimp." They looked at me with their incredulity. As a student who likes to go out and hang out with my friends, of course I needed more cash but I don't want to work illegally. So, I taught English and got great payment. If you have a real job, you should go to Taipei City. It is totally fun and crazy!

Hong Kong - HK

Hong Kong is the city that I always want to live. Crowded, convenient, not boring etc.... I just love love love Hong Kong. It is a mixed culture city, the people are very nice. They sound unfriendly, indeed they are not like that. You can get any kinds of food in Hong Kong.




Aachen - Germany

First arrival in Aachen, I was totally amazed by the age of the buildings and the churches. The Dom was built by Karl the Great (Charlemagne in French language). When I told my priest in HK that I was coming to Aachen. He was like, "Wow...Do you know that Aachen has been a very important city for Catholic Church since 500 AD?" I didn't understand what he was talking about until I came to Aachen. When I walk in the city center, I feel like I am living in the 17th century. The cobblestone streets, Aachener Dom, The City Hall haven't changed too much. Every single time when the government reconstructs the streets, they always put the same cobblestones back again.

Germans are very very nice and friendly. At the beginning, I didn't speak German at all, but I don't have any problem to communicate with the people here. Even though I don't speak perfect German, they also can understand that. I've met a lot of people who are really helpful in communication. I took intensive German course for 8 months, then I started my internship. I met a crazy Ir**ian woman. According to her, all of the greatest things are from Persia (LOL Persia doesn't even exist any more. It is Ir**, isn't it?) She inspired me to write my comic called King of Persia. I haven't done anything yet, but it will be coming out as soon as I have time. Three months later, I decided not to see her. Then I had another internship, following a job offer at the same place. Eight monhts later, I also said bubye. Then another job here. It is ok, except for Jacko (She is in my episodes now).

In Germany, especially in Aachen, it is very easy for you to travel. I used to bike almost every week to Holland to shop on Sundays. It takes only 10 minutes. Not like in Taipei City, you can get a lot of Southeast Asian food / seasonings here. There is only one thing: the party sucks in Aachen :'( and the convenient shops close at 8 PM. So, if you work until 7 pm, then run for your food! Or after dinner, it is very quiet every where (not like in HK). At the beginning, I could not get used to it. Actually there is still a lot to share, but I gotta work...bubye.
Maybe next time, Fida!