Firsts

On Sunday morning, my first morning in Taiwan, I got up and took my first shower in the little bathroom (more on that later) then I got ready. I went downstairs where the guards were helpful, although they only spoke Chinese. Thus our source of understanding was hand signals. They called a taxi and while waiting for it, I went to a little breakfast shop next door. Time to purchase breakfast for the first time. Only problem: the signs were in Chinese. A gentleman patron pointed to a picture and I mutely nodded my consent. He spoke to the workers and they began making me a breakfast sandwich. I pointed at things to show what I wanted (bread instead of roll and the type of meat). Then I sat down to wait. One worker came over and tried to get me a drink. That was interesting. She said coffee, I said no. She said something tea, I said no. Then both workers tried to tell me another option, but I didn’t get it. A few minutes later the first worker said Cola?, I said Yes! With some relief too. (I didn’t actually want cola for breakfast. But I finally understood them and cola is usually a good option. We were communicating!)

They brought out my sandwich and drink in a little bag. I paid them ($40 NT, about $1.30 US) and then my taxi pulled up. It was now time for my first taxi ride. I was apprehensive as I didn’t know where I was going. And I was alone. Oh and I had no way to get back to my apartment if I had a problem. I had the church address in Chinese and I gave that to the driver. He looked at it, nodded, and I got in. So far, so good. I settled in to eat my breakfast and look (well, stare) out the window. My sandwich was actually good. Egg and a chicken (? I think) patty with some veggies on toasted bread. I didn’t drink the cola as they put ice in it, and I was told not to drink the tap water (or ice made with the water). I actually wasn’t too hungry, but I had to eat to help my body adjust to the new schedule.

During my 20-minute taxi ride, I probably saw 100 scooters. And we stopped for a train. I saw a few 7-Elevens (yeah!) and some Chinese temples. Eventually I saw a nice building & felt relieved. It was clearly a chapel and had the signs in English and Chinese. We had found it with no problems. I paid my taxi driver and stepped out (my ride cost about $8.50 US). I was greeted by Scott and my Dad. We took some pictures (logical if you know my Dad) then stepped inside. I finished eating most of the sandwich, and I drank my cola (Dad gave the go-ahead). We then got into the elevator and went up to the chapel {So weird to have an elevator in church! And it was big. Scott said it fits a coffin. And he was surprised we were surprised by the elevator.} I attended church and added two more firsts to my list: 1-church in Taiwan and 2-church in Chinese.