Just like that it’s over. I came, I saw, I conquered. Not really, this was an opportunity to see parts of Taiwan that aren’t in the brochures per se. And definitely not luxe. It’s was a wonderful opportunity to meet a new friend’s family and get reacquainted with a language I’ve been desperate to learn. I met an American pharmacist on one of the excursions and we hung out the whole day. She is super interesting and highly intelligent. Our conversations were peppered with words like “austerity” “diaphanous” and she said she would shepherd me home. Erica B. with a C. would likely ace a Jeopardy event without a glitch. I wanted to ask her if it hurts to be so smart. Instead I just floated in admiration of her and made her hike with me on a trail we had no business being on. Guess what? She hikes at home in Washington and confirmed the leaves in my hair were not poison ivy or oak “The leaves are shiny…” Super smart. We had tea and ceremonially did exactly what we were shown by the tea master. I would have never had done something like this without meeting her on the bus. And this is why I travel. Cheers to Taiwan and Hõo Tal La to Erica B. spelled with a C.