4:30 PMI’m starting to think there won’t be any dull days. Today was very educational to say the least. The day started with breakfast, followed by a bus ride to the Meining Doll shop, our first company tour. We got to see some interesting dolls. Meining is a company that was formed when Mattel (the company that makes Barbie’s) left Taiwan to find cheaper labor. A good comparison is GM leaving Flint. Meining custom makes outfits for the dolls and does so by bringing the community together. The outfits are very ornate and unique. The community involvement was an interesting business concept and you could tell that the company had a great deal of emotional involvement. I took lots of pictures so try to check out the flicker link below or at http://www.flickr.com/photos/35700781@N06/.
After the lecture (which was given in Chinese, but translated to English), we all walked over to lunch. It was a nice place, but I quickly learned more than I thought I would about culture. I didn’t realize how much food was going to be served, or I should say I should have paid more attention when the professor said that the word ‘no’ was an option. We sat with a group of rowdy Taiwanese men and half our group (the other half were at a different table). I was thinking what a small meal it was when they served us raw salmon, raw swordfish and oysters. Surprise! Here comes course two. I’m glad because I was pretty hungry still. Make that course three…then course four. One of the items was cow intestine…thankfully I managed to duck out of the table in time to miss that one. By now, I was so full I couldn’t breathe, but the guys we sat with kept telling us it was rude not to try some of everything and then they would pile on more food to our plates. By course 8 I wasn’t feeling well, but I didn’t want to offend anyone. I really wish I hadn’t missed the lecture on being able to say no. Course 10 and I’m sure I was an odd shade of green, but staying strong. I finally broke down and asked how much more food there was going to be. He said there can be up to 16 courses in a meal! I couldn’t believe it. They food was good and all, but a person can only eat so much. We also learned important cultural information about drinking and business deals. Interesting story about this, be sure to ask me.
After saying our goodbyes and taking a million more photos I rolled out to the bus. I’m proud to say I made it at least half way home before I was so ill I made everyone stop and get off the bus. Note to self: pay more attention if the professor is lecturing. I’m finally back at the hotel and resting a bit before our group heads out to the night markets tonight. I’ll try to update again tonight.
After saying our goodbyes and taking a million more photos I rolled out to the bus. I’m proud to say I made it at least half way home before I was so ill I made everyone stop and get off the bus. Note to self: pay more attention if the professor is lecturing. I’m finally back at the hotel and resting a bit before our group heads out to the night markets tonight. I’ll try to update again tonight.
9:30 PM
Well the night market was….not what I expected. Imagine the worst smells in the world and mix them all together while you’re looking at food. Then add about a million people in one tiny space. Not good on a normal day, but especially not good when you start out feeling ill. I went with Josh, Ed, and Pat. We didn’t stay very long. The highlight of the night was when Pat brought peanut butter and jelly making stuff back to the rooms. Talk about saving the night!
Well the night market was….not what I expected. Imagine the worst smells in the world and mix them all together while you’re looking at food. Then add about a million people in one tiny space. Not good on a normal day, but especially not good when you start out feeling ill. I went with Josh, Ed, and Pat. We didn’t stay very long. The highlight of the night was when Pat brought peanut butter and jelly making stuff back to the rooms. Talk about saving the night!
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