Fili’s world

Tainan and NCKU it is, then. There’s something about Tainan that I like and the people at the NCKU management school were extremely friendly and welcoming although I came in out of nowhere, and so I went along with my instinct and decided to stay. I confirmed my studies at NCKU, and I’ll be staying in Tainan.

The first mission was to get the hell out of those cheap dodgy accommodation places and find somewhere more decent to stay. With the help of two wonderful girls that have gone way beyond any codes of hospitality I’ve experienced before I was able to find an ensuite room just next to the NCKU hospital, 3 minutes walk from the main campus. One of the girls actually took me to the owner’s wife’s workplace to get the key, then brought me to see the room, explained how everything worked in great detail (and there is alot to explain), then when she saw I was still confused - she took me back to the owner’s wife and negotiated a trial month for me before I need to sign a one year contract. Then, later on that day, she took me back to the room to meet the friendly owner, translated the whole contract for me to see that it meets my expectations, and after I paid the month’s rent and signed the one month contract she took me shopping for basics that were missing in the room. Honestly, I am still completely overwhelmed - I’ve never seen anything like that before. So, now I can rest for a month till I get to know Tainan and figure out how things work over here. The room’s a 170US$ and has all the basics - a study desk, TV/fridge, bed, closet, aircon and a shiny toilet/shower. Down the hall I have hot/cold drinking water and on the floor below I do my laundry. Very convenient.

It’s after 10pm and I just came back from a small find-some-dinner tour around the neighborhood. I love it how I can find great food at any hour - day or night, and that no matter where I go there are endless options to choose from. I entered the first place I saw, something called "God of Cookery" and was welcomed with great smiles and friendly laughter. Walking just around the block, I counted around 8 street food stalls, 3 7-11s, 4 karaoke places (some dodgy, some not), 6 gaming-machines/Internet-gaming places, 3 high-end restaurants, 5 nice-looking coffee places, 1 bakery, 4 tea/drink stalls, 3 pubs and that’s just the ones that were open. Amazing.

My building is located at a small quiet side street just off a bigger road combining 6 lanes for cars, 2 lanes for bicycles, and trees all along the avenue.

I like this area…