First trip to YZU

Candace and I took our first trip to visit Yuan Ze University. It is located in Neili south of Taipei. We took a taxi to the MRT station, stopping just short of our destination. We paid the taxi, then had to hop back in to finish the first leg of our journey. The FF had given me a smart card with NT $400 (US$13) on it, and C bought a token for NT$25...about 75 cents for the ride to the Taipei City main station. The MRT is VERY nice, a lovely way to travel locally. I then bought two round trip tickets for Neili ("Naylee") on the "local small train" that cost about US$3 each. I didn't have the city spelled correctly, nor did I say it correctly, but a kind Taiwanese women translated for me.

We climbed to the assigned platform and had absolutely no idea which train or side of the platform we were supposed to use...great electronic signs, no English. A young man, who believe it or not told us he was a Boy Scout, told us the direction and correct time for boarding...otherwise we would have gotten on the "big train" and ended up in the wrong place. The women who helped us at the window also came to find us to make sure we did not get lost, and told us "7 stops." We were on our way at 11:52.

We counted our seven stops and were relieved to find we were in the right city! We exited and jumped into a taxi for a 3 minute ride to YZU. Neili is very large, very gray, and very dirty...not surprising. The campus had a lovely entry...not the "wave," but very nice. A tree-lined two block ride left us at Building 6, which houses the College of International Business. We first met Stephanie Wang, the WONDERFUL admin assistant that has never failed to answer my endless questions politely and efficiently. I presented her the Salt and Pepper shakers from Sur La Table that I picked up in Austin for her wedding gift. She had another pile of official looking papers for me to fill out that I will mail back to her on Monday. She sits in the middle of an office honey-combed with individual stations where everyone can watch and listen...no need for the office grapevine! She called Dr. Jane Lai, my chair, down from the 6th floor where my office will also be housed. We visited in a small office behind the the honeycomb, and were given hot tea. I really like Dr. Jane, and we had visited on the telephone early on. She is the one who obtained the National Science Council's funds that enabled me to support myself after the FF gave me the minuscule award. I gave her Lamb's Longhorns for helping me, clearly not enough but symbolic after all.

We visited about my assignment, and she said my classes were very small...UGs are usually 100 strong, but mine is only 31 at the present time. I have 33 in my elective MBA strategy class, but she said it is because I will be teaching in English and they all want to have the practice. They are still enrolling, so that may change also. She says most of her staff are junior professors, and have not had much teacher training. She is hoping I will give some seminars to help them. It will be interesting! I asked about Mandarin classes , and she said YZU offers free classes to their international students. I am starting my card file this week-end, but my tones are TERRIBLE. Christian is trying to help me get an early start. Dr. Jane had no idea about Tai Chi lessons, but knows a professor who practices Tai Chi who might be able to help me.

Stephanie had a meeting, but a student named Kingsley escorted us to the dormitory. We walked back out through the front gate and around an alley to the guard gate at the teacher dormitory (emphasis on teacher...no students). Walking past a high wall embedded with glass shards, we were allowed to enter the front door into a completely empty foyer that was utilitarian if none the less bare. We used the elevator to get to the second floor where my room will be. It is still being used until February 1.

The room is typical of any college dorm. The bath to the right of the entry held a pedestal sink, a western toilet (no hole in the floor, thank god), and a shower curtain that closed off the shower that flows directly into the floor drain. The left wall held a single bed, a desk, chair, and table lamp, and a round looking wooden chair. Directly opposite the door is a large window with vertical blinds that opens onto a very small balcony that holds the air con. The right side held another chair, a tiny dorm fridge (it might hold 3 water bottles), a table with a TV (an opportunity to practice my Mandarin!), and a white built-in "closet cum storage wall" that will hold most everything I brought. I will still need to buy another clothes hanger to place between the closet and the room door. All is in basic white, including the tile floors. The current renter had a mop and cleaning supplies on his balcony. I got mixed answers as to any potential cleaning service they may "offer." Candace and I are literally making lists in our heads of what I will need to live there for the next 6 months. I believe the "rent" is around US$67...not confirmed as yet.

We continued our tour to the wash room...absolutely filthy, but "free" and I will probably be using the washer and dryer. Our next stop was the shared cooking space...a filthy large refrigerator and two even filthier cook tops. I will NOT be cooking in the dorm space...add electric tea kettle and possible a dorm fridge and microwave to the "need" list. The hallways were dark and grim...basic gray cement...and the lights were off to save electricity. I will be turning on the lights.

The tour continued through the game rooms and other shared spaces. They offer dance classes on Friday nights for NT$10 (very cheap, lah). The little chubby, bossy guard finally talked and smiled about that opportunity! He showed us the back door short cut, and we walked back to the office in Building 6. Dr. Jane and the entire office waited anxiously to hear my comments about the dorm...I hesitated, but said it was "very basic" and would serve my needs. Actually it is fairly grim, but after teaching and working in other Asian locations, it was not a surprise. Candace and I both woke up this morning making lists of things to get before my move in date. Thank goodness, she knows where to go...even if we do have to make multiple stops. I think Ikea will be our first major stop, although there are a couple of places in the 'hood that may have basic cleaning tools, posters, picture frames, etc.

Dr. Jane said there was a Wellcome Supermarket "across from the train station" and a local food market a block behind that. She encouraged us to walk back to the train station..."only a 10 minute walk." The walk was over the railroad track, around the motor cycles and trucks, and into the busy, dirty streets...10 minutes, but I probably will be using taxis much of the time!

We reversed our travel, and made it back home again. The entire trip door to door is about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Call it a 2 hour journey to Tien Mu and the K apartment.

My move in day is February 2, also the day I pick up my ARC. I will probably stay for about a week getting everything set up to my liking. It will give me a chance to visit my teaching rooms, set up my office, and visit the library. Kingsley said there was a hamburger/hotdog stand, an Italian "restaurant," and a student cafeteria all on campus, so I will be looking for those as well!

It was a VERY interesting day!