Fili’s world

After two really bad nights at the Happy Family 2 hostel (referred to by some as “Crappy family”) I felt like I had enough. Relying on my Singapore experience I knew I could find better bargains, even if those meant that I go to some dodgy places. My theory worked, as I found myself a great room to finally comfortably take a shower and do my “long business” in for little more money. True, most people come there for “a short 2 hour rest”, the whole room was red, my bed was shaped like a heart with some erotic drawings around it, and the TV offered a good selection of “male entertainment” - but, I had my own clean bath, AC, TV, clean toilet and towels and all that I’ve come to expect in my Vietnam and Thailand stays. I can not understand why anyone would put up with such crappy hostels anywhere. I was amazed to meet some expat ESL (English Second Language) teachers staying there for years!

Well, that was okay for a one get-well overnight stay, but I was looking for something better, and I eventually found it. As it turns out, starting from an hour ago - I’m renting an apartment with Chris from the states at a lovely place about 10 minutes walk from the world famous tallest-building-in-the-world the-101 (floors) Taiwan tower. I have my own big room with AC, a big lounge living room, a big kitchen and an ADSL computer for a cheaper price than Saigon. Only catch is that I paid up in advance for a week, but right-now I feel like I would stay around for a lot longer.

Almost every time I sit down to get something to eat or rest from my long walking tours I’m approached cautiously by a Taiwanese person asking me “are you alone?” followed by “then would you like some company?”. I think they view being alone as something a bit sad, which at times it really is, and they seem to want their visitors to enjoy the stay at their country. It’s so weird - how come no body comes here?