So, I got to bed really early in the morning on Saturday and had to be up at 7:30am. That gave my body six hours to recuperate. Again, it didn't work and I was pretty sore 
all day, but it didn't stop me, I ran around just as much as I would have if I weren't in pain.
I got up and got ready and headed out to the Temple. It was a really busy day at the Temple. I guess that 3 stakes had appointments to go at the same time. I ended up waiting for quite some time, but it was good. One of the temple workers came over and talked to me. She would go off and do her job, but she would always come back and talk with me. I really appreciated having someone to talk to, especially after being alone for the past 3 days. The mission president's wife came and spoke to me too. Actually, I don't know if she's the mission president's wife or not, but I know she's in the temple all the time. Maybe this is just their mission, to be temple workers or something. Anyway, she came over and told me it was nice to see me again and asked me to remind her where I'm from (meaning Hualien). I told her that I have to go back to school soon and she asked where. It turns out that she has a grandson who goes to BYU and that she has a grandson on a mission who, once he gets back, will be going to BYU also. Both of her grandsons play (the younger one will play) football at BYU. Wow, that's impressive. She had to get back to work, but I thought it was so nice that she remembered me and made the effort to come over and make me feel so welcome.
Eric was supposed to meet me back at my hostel at 10:45am. Normally th
at wouldn't have been a problem, but because the temple was so crowded, I was a little nervous. I made it back just in time, and it's a good thing that he was a couple minutes late. Our first stop was Taipei 101. This was my last chance, regardless of whether the top floor was open or not, I was going up. Yep, the top floor was closed, but I went up to the 89th floor, and that's higher then I've ever been before, so it was good. Taipei 101 has the world's fastest elevator. We went from floor 5 to floor 89 in 36 seconds. (The way back down was a little slower and took 47.) There is a wall that has the world's top 10 tallest buildings on it. It turns out that while I was in Hong Kong, I snapped a picture of the world's 10th largest building and didn't even know it. I just thought it was pretty.
Eric wanted to take me to the North coast and look at some rock formations or something. He was actually kind of excited about it, because he'd never been there. But by time we finished at 101, he figured that we wouldn't have enough time to go, walk around, and make it back in time for my train. So we went back to Taipei Main Station for lunch. We had curry, and it was pretty good. I guess that curry can be found in Taiwan, I just have been looking in the wrong places (namely Hualien).
Our next stop was to the gondola. I really wanted to go to the zoo, but Eric was confused why I would want to go. I asked if not many people went to the zoo and he said that you go, you look, and then you never go back. I got the feeling that he really didn't want to go, so I agreed to go to the gondola instead. We rode the MRT all the way out there, walked to the gondola, waited in line, bought the tickets, got up to the front of the line.... and then they closed it because there was lightening. They made an announcement that they would wait 2 hours before running it again. We didn't have 2 hours to wait and so we got a refund and left. Sad day :o(
We were trying to think of something else to do, but nothing was coming to mind because it was raining so hard and most things are out doors. We passed this little kid amazement park and so we went in just to look around. I saw a photo booth and told Eric that I
wanted to take a picture because I thought it would be funny. He told me that he knew of a place that had a whole store of them and said we should go check it out.
We headed back to the hostel to pick up my bag just in case we didn't have time to come back. I had an umbrella, but regardless, I got absolutely soaked when I walked to the hostel to pick up my bags. Not only did I get soaked, but my bags did too. So when I got home, I had to empty my bag and lay out all of the papers and stuff in my bag so that they could dry.
After picking up my bag we headed out to the place Eric knew of. He kept saying that he wasn't good at the photo booth and I was so confused. Don't you just have to smile? NO! These photo booths are intense. You pose for the pictures, and then in the booth next to where you took the pictures, there is a machine where you crop and decorate your pictures. It was crazy intense. Seeing as Eric and I were both inept at it, we just called over the girls that worked there and they did it for us. They turned out so funny. It's a nice little keepsake.
Well, I didn't have a watch, and Eric was supposed to be keeping track of time for us. He's not very good at that, I guess because once the girls were done with our photos, we honestly RAN back to the MRT station. We had 22 minutes until my train left and the MRT didn't come for 4 minutes, then we were 5 stops away, with each stop taking 2 minutes. Once we got off the MRT, we again RAN to the TRA line (the train). The whole time we were waiting for the MRT and riding the MRT, I was praying that we would make it. I also prayed that it would be late. I figured that if I made it and it was late, that at least I didn't miss it. I did make it in time (I got there 2 minutes before it was time to leave) AND it was late. Wow, prayer is intense. And, I just told myself again, because it's late, I really didn't miss it. The train ended up being 30 minutes late. It was okay though. Eric bought some type of ticket that would allow him to come to the platform but not get on the train. He waited with me. He wanted to make sure that I knew the train was late (I guess so that I didn't start freaking out that I had missed it w
hen it didn't show up). He is honestly THE sweetest guy! I told him that I would be okay waiting by myself and that he could go home, but he told me it was okay and he waited the whole time. He is such the little gentleman. When I pulled out my umbrella, he took it and held it over both of us (more over me then him), when we went back and got my bag, he insisted on carrying it everywhere, and when his MRT card ran out of money and he had to start buying the tokens, he bought mine for me too. No wonder his girlfriend begged him to marry her, she doesn't want to lose this one.
Speaking of MRT tokens.... we were in such a hurry to get up to the train, that Eric ran through MRT exit right behind someone else. He had tried to put his token in, but it didn't take. I told him I wanted it as a souvenir. So, even though you're REALLY not supposed to have one, I most definitely have a Taipei MRT token :o)
Okay, back to the train ride. The train finally came, Eric left, and I got on. I was still soaking wet from the rain and it was not very comfortable, but whatever. I made it back without a problem. I got to the train station and rode my bike back home. The other two bikes were gone and so I was able to unpack in peace. Actually, first thing I did was take a shower. Then I laid out all my stuff to dry. I was so worn out that I was hoping that I could get everything done before the girls got back so that I could be in bed and not have to talk to them. I know, I'm terrible, but you have to realize that I've been going almost non-stop for 4 days. I was SERIOUSLY tired. Well, my hopes didn't come true. Beth and Natalie came home and asked how my trip went. I gave them minimal answers and told them I'd talk more in the morning when I was less worn out. They agreed. Except, later as I was still laying things out to dry I called Beth over (Natalie had run out to pick up stuff for dinner) to my room so I could show her the stuff I bought. We ended up talking for a while. I was torn. I was so tired, but then again, I wanted to talk to someone and tell them about my trip. We compromised- we talked for a little while, but didn't go into intensive detail. That way I didn't s
tay up too late, but I also got some socializing in.
And that was my Saturday. Not too shabby :o)
all day, but it didn't stop me, I ran around just as much as I would have if I weren't in pain.I got up and got ready and headed out to the Temple. It was a really busy day at the Temple. I guess that 3 stakes had appointments to go at the same time. I ended up waiting for quite some time, but it was good. One of the temple workers came over and talked to me. She would go off and do her job, but she would always come back and talk with me. I really appreciated having someone to talk to, especially after being alone for the past 3 days. The mission president's wife came and spoke to me too. Actually, I don't know if she's the mission president's wife or not, but I know she's in the temple all the time. Maybe this is just their mission, to be temple workers or something. Anyway, she came over and told me it was nice to see me again and asked me to remind her where I'm from (meaning Hualien). I told her that I have to go back to school soon and she asked where. It turns out that she has a grandson who goes to BYU and that she has a grandson on a mission who, once he gets back, will be going to BYU also. Both of her grandsons play (the younger one will play) football at BYU. Wow, that's impressive. She had to get back to work, but I thought it was so nice that she remembered me and made the effort to come over and make me feel so welcome.
Eric was supposed to meet me back at my hostel at 10:45am. Normally th
at wouldn't have been a problem, but because the temple was so crowded, I was a little nervous. I made it back just in time, and it's a good thing that he was a couple minutes late. Our first stop was Taipei 101. This was my last chance, regardless of whether the top floor was open or not, I was going up. Yep, the top floor was closed, but I went up to the 89th floor, and that's higher then I've ever been before, so it was good. Taipei 101 has the world's fastest elevator. We went from floor 5 to floor 89 in 36 seconds. (The way back down was a little slower and took 47.) There is a wall that has the world's top 10 tallest buildings on it. It turns out that while I was in Hong Kong, I snapped a picture of the world's 10th largest building and didn't even know it. I just thought it was pretty.Eric wanted to take me to the North coast and look at some rock formations or something. He was actually kind of excited about it, because he'd never been there. But by time we finished at 101, he figured that we wouldn't have enough time to go, walk around, and make it back in time for my train. So we went back to Taipei Main Station for lunch. We had curry, and it was pretty good. I guess that curry can be found in Taiwan, I just have been looking in the wrong places (namely Hualien).
Our next stop was to the gondola. I really wanted to go to the zoo, but Eric was confused why I would want to go. I asked if not many people went to the zoo and he said that you go, you look, and then you never go back. I got the feeling that he really didn't want to go, so I agreed to go to the gondola instead. We rode the MRT all the way out there, walked to the gondola, waited in line, bought the tickets, got up to the front of the line.... and then they closed it because there was lightening. They made an announcement that they would wait 2 hours before running it again. We didn't have 2 hours to wait and so we got a refund and left. Sad day :o(
We were trying to think of something else to do, but nothing was coming to mind because it was raining so hard and most things are out doors. We passed this little kid amazement park and so we went in just to look around. I saw a photo booth and told Eric that I
wanted to take a picture because I thought it would be funny. He told me that he knew of a place that had a whole store of them and said we should go check it out.We headed back to the hostel to pick up my bag just in case we didn't have time to come back. I had an umbrella, but regardless, I got absolutely soaked when I walked to the hostel to pick up my bags. Not only did I get soaked, but my bags did too. So when I got home, I had to empty my bag and lay out all of the papers and stuff in my bag so that they could dry.
After picking up my bag we headed out to the place Eric knew of. He kept saying that he wasn't good at the photo booth and I was so confused. Don't you just have to smile? NO! These photo booths are intense. You pose for the pictures, and then in the booth next to where you took the pictures, there is a machine where you crop and decorate your pictures. It was crazy intense. Seeing as Eric and I were both inept at it, we just called over the girls that worked there and they did it for us. They turned out so funny. It's a nice little keepsake.
Well, I didn't have a watch, and Eric was supposed to be keeping track of time for us. He's not very good at that, I guess because once the girls were done with our photos, we honestly RAN back to the MRT station. We had 22 minutes until my train left and the MRT didn't come for 4 minutes, then we were 5 stops away, with each stop taking 2 minutes. Once we got off the MRT, we again RAN to the TRA line (the train). The whole time we were waiting for the MRT and riding the MRT, I was praying that we would make it. I also prayed that it would be late. I figured that if I made it and it was late, that at least I didn't miss it. I did make it in time (I got there 2 minutes before it was time to leave) AND it was late. Wow, prayer is intense. And, I just told myself again, because it's late, I really didn't miss it. The train ended up being 30 minutes late. It was okay though. Eric bought some type of ticket that would allow him to come to the platform but not get on the train. He waited with me. He wanted to make sure that I knew the train was late (I guess so that I didn't start freaking out that I had missed it w
hen it didn't show up). He is honestly THE sweetest guy! I told him that I would be okay waiting by myself and that he could go home, but he told me it was okay and he waited the whole time. He is such the little gentleman. When I pulled out my umbrella, he took it and held it over both of us (more over me then him), when we went back and got my bag, he insisted on carrying it everywhere, and when his MRT card ran out of money and he had to start buying the tokens, he bought mine for me too. No wonder his girlfriend begged him to marry her, she doesn't want to lose this one.Speaking of MRT tokens.... we were in such a hurry to get up to the train, that Eric ran through MRT exit right behind someone else. He had tried to put his token in, but it didn't take. I told him I wanted it as a souvenir. So, even though you're REALLY not supposed to have one, I most definitely have a Taipei MRT token :o)
Okay, back to the train ride. The train finally came, Eric left, and I got on. I was still soaking wet from the rain and it was not very comfortable, but whatever. I made it back without a problem. I got to the train station and rode my bike back home. The other two bikes were gone and so I was able to unpack in peace. Actually, first thing I did was take a shower. Then I laid out all my stuff to dry. I was so worn out that I was hoping that I could get everything done before the girls got back so that I could be in bed and not have to talk to them. I know, I'm terrible, but you have to realize that I've been going almost non-stop for 4 days. I was SERIOUSLY tired. Well, my hopes didn't come true. Beth and Natalie came home and asked how my trip went. I gave them minimal answers and told them I'd talk more in the morning when I was less worn out. They agreed. Except, later as I was still laying things out to dry I called Beth over (Natalie had run out to pick up stuff for dinner) to my room so I could show her the stuff I bought. We ended up talking for a while. I was torn. I was so tired, but then again, I wanted to talk to someone and tell them about my trip. We compromised- we talked for a little while, but didn't go into intensive detail. That way I didn't s
tay up too late, but I also got some socializing in.And that was my Saturday. Not too shabby :o)
2 comments:
I do believe that when you said you rode your bike home from the train station that you meant my bike :D
You just Amaze me!
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