Saturday afternoon stroll in Maokong and the cultural differences

Friday night was dedicated to exploring the bustling city and nightlife in Taipei (more about that some other time). Upon returning to campus, I met some friends from Slovakia and few beers outside the local 7-11 convenience store followed (truly conveniently open 24 hours a day). After that, I met some Polish friends who had just realized that they really miss home and opened their bottles of Zubrovka to drown the sorrow (greetings to all AEGEE people :). Therefore, Saturday morning didn’t happen as I only got out of bed around noon. Fortunately, we get on well with my roommate in that department. My usual bedtime here is around 1:30 a.m. (with the exceptional 4 a.m.). However, in the 2 weeks I’ve been here, Joyce never went to sleep before I did – not once. He also never got up before me.

In the afternoon, I decided to go for a short walk in Maokong, the mountains directly above the university. This is a popular weekend getaway place for the local population, famous for its temples, tea plantations & tea houses (especially the well-known Oolong tea) and the Maokong gondola to facilitate transportation up the mountain. The weather was nearly perfect for such an occasion – a clear day and scorching heat – around 35 degrees Celsius.

Below is a picture story I created to explain the cultural differences between a Czech student in Taiwan and the local population. 

Here's how a Czech would go on an afternoon stroll:

The trail begins at the campus. It is best to first read all the optimistic warning signs to be well prepared:

For these steps. A French student told me about them. Apparently, these are the never-ending steps. He never made it all the way up. That makes me even more determined!

The steps felt like they were never-ending, but in the end, the trail changes.

And the trail leads further and further into the woods (and always up!)

At this point, it is still possible to meet other living things. As far as the dogs are concerned.. I guess it's too hot for them. 

The effort is rewarded with nice views of the surrounding mountains and the gondola lift.

The famous Zhinan temple, with a gondola station behind it. One can hear the bells and the chanting of the monks from these temples along the way.

The view of Taipei city, with the 101 on the right. The day was clear, but misty, so the vistas aren't that great. 

Walking even higher up, I walked past many tea plantations like this one:

I got to mingle with the local tea farmers..

And watch them working.

The braver people can dare to follow them deeper..

.. into the jungle.

The last part of the journey is literally jungle with no visible trail. I was trying to push away that nagging thought of said poisonous snakes. This is what your average stroller looks like upon arrival to the ultimate destination (one of the higher mountains in the area, at an elevation of about 500 meters above the sea level. The elevation of the university campus is about 30 meters. Did I also mention it was really damn hot today? That's where the exhausted looks come from.)

But then, the view from up here are great. Zhinan temple again, from the highest point.

More views of the Taipei basin.

The feelings of achievement finally takes over. Plus the fact that it's only downhill from here.

This is back to civilization. And to the cultural shock.

This is how you do a Saturday afternoon stroll if you come from Taiwan. You take the air-conditioned gondola up to the mountain.

Once you get there, you go shopping.

And take some pictures to show all your friends how adventurous that was.

Image is especially important. You have to look stylish while taking the pictures!

Wow, that was really exhausting! Time for lunch!

The more adventurous dare to venture a bit further away from the station. 

For example, to sing karaoke..

Or to check out the cafe with one of the weirdest names ever.

What about some tea? I recommend this jewel, which hasn't realized since 1989, that it's better to stay away from English if you don't really know how to use it.

Nevertheless, the temples are still nice.

Especially with the 101 in the background.

What a nice day that was! Time to take the gondola back down and go eat to recover from all the eating and drinking.

Which is too bad, because the views at night are great too. 

The walk turned out to be a bit longer than I had planned. Still, really nice. Tomorrow we are going to the seaside and I hope it will be a bit cooler and the hills a little smaller. I bet I will be just like the Taiwanese before long.