Trips

As you may have noticed, there was no blog last week because I was on vacation in Taipei, soaking up many new impressions. I'm using these impressions in this blog to write about small trips that can trigger big changes in us. A fitting addition to the last blog "Space," which also dealt with the idea of developing oneself through a change of scenery. Additionally, I'll share some details about my trip with you.

Since Corona, I unfortunately haven't taken any major trips. Before that, I had made at least one overseas trip and a few shorter trips in Europe each year. I've noticed how the German daily routine has gotten a firm hold on me and I'm slowly regaining the (German) tunnel vision, which I really don't like. What do I mean by that? You probably also know people who claim that everything is better abroad: the people, the food, the weather, the politics, the low crime rate, or whatever else. What makes the difference? In theory, it's up to each of us how we live our daily lives and thus influence our surroundings. If one thinks that people are friendlier elsewhere, one should ask oneself whether one is always friendly and less uptight at home. The excuse "but everyone is like this here and you adapt" should not be valid. Why should one be more rude at home just because "everyone else" also behaves that way? What others do should not influence us. In theory, this is simple, but I find myself seeing what group pressure does; I might have caught myself becoming more uptight, haha…

Back to my trip: My urge to break away from daily routine after such a long time led me to absolutely need to make an overseas journey. All continents were an option. The decision for Taiwan, and specifically Taipei, came when I was looking for a good compromise. Supposedly, Taipei combines the best of Asian and Western cultures. I was skeptical, but what was there to lose :-). In terms of cost, the expenses for flights, hotel, and food were far below those for destinations in other "developed" countries or emerging nations across all continents. I did not compare prices with trips to developing countries. Surprisingly, the entire trip was as expensive as my last trip to Croatia, where I had rented a small old cottage with minimal comfort, but in Taiwan, I got a five-star hotel with Western standards in the old town. What's always important to me when traveling is: food, culture, and shopping.

Upon arrival, the first thing I noticed was the friendliness of the people and the cleanliness. The toilets were particularly interesting. Even in public restrooms outside the airport, there were Japanese high-tech toilets with heated seats. I didn't see a single toilet that was dirty or didn't smell freshly cleaned, and that was at any time of day. It's funny that the first thing I mention is the toilet. But now I wonder, can the progress of a society be gauged by the cleanliness of its public restrooms? In this case, it certainly applies!

The first thing one does upon arrival is to fix the internet. For this, I can recommend the app MobiMatter (iPhone/Android) not only for Taiwan but for all your travels. Use my referral code T.V.T71004, and you'll get 50% cashback. You can get 15GB as an eSIM for $9.99 and access to the 5G network. Anyone telling you that you can get cheap SIM/eSIM cards locally doesn't know this app.

The second thing that must be done is to get a card for public transportation. The card is called EasyCard and can be purchased at machines or counters everywhere. What struck me as very positive is the enormous network of public transportation throughout the country, especially the prices. Riding around the city, you pay about 0.50 € per trip, and everything is conveniently charged to the EasyCard. Combined with Google Maps, there were never any problems getting from point A to B. The real surprise, however, is that there were always seats available—and that in a metropolis in Asia!

Taipei is famous for its night markets, and the density of Michelin restaurants and street stalls is tremendous. You can get star-level food for as little as 2 € per dish. To get full on Michelin-quality food, you can expect to pay from 7 € on the street or from 15 € in a restaurant. To get the same quality in Germany, you would have to pay at least 10-20 times as much. What I found particularly positive again is that although the street markets were very lively, it was still easy to get through. It's much worse at some of our Christmas markets back home.

Not only is the food very affordable and high-quality, but the shopping was also insane. I love going to weekly, flea, and art markets. Everything is oversized! You walk and walk, and the markets seem never to end. Meanwhile, everything is clean, there are no crowds, and the prices are affordable. However, I would advise against shopping tours in shopping malls. There, you'll find only Western brands, which are quite boring for us. The highlight, however, is that every mall has two to three floors dedicated solely to food. The quality is high, and the prices, as mentioned, are incredibly low.

Culturally, Taipei has a lot to offer. Almost at every street corner, there are old temples that are well-visited. Many sightseeing spots like museums and memorials are easily accessible by public transport. A highlight was the trip to Jiufen, a small town outside of Taipei, known for its beautiful street market and tea houses with views of the sea and pristine nature.

Lastly, the people really impressed me. Their openness and friendliness were remarkable. I was wearing our CommunityTee "Boys Don’t Cry" T-shirt and was approached by a Taiwanese grandma on the bus. She said in English, "Boys should also cry," with a broad smile, and we chatted for a bit and agreed that everyone should cry now and then. I have never had such a warm conversation in Germany.

Before this blog turns too much into a travel blog, let me summarize: yes, Taipei truly combines everything we appreciate and love about Asian and Western culture, and I will definitely go back to explore the rest of the country.

To conclude with Matze's practical tips: There is a big difference between traveling and emigrating. A trip, no matter how short or long, offers us a break and insight into another world. It's amazing how even a short time in another country or unfamiliar environment can help break us out of our daily routines. These little escapes allow us to see our everyday life from a new perspective and may even find inspirations that we were previously closed off to. Emigrating involves major adjustments and bureaucracy. For now, forget about emigrating and seize every opportunity to explore new places, even if it's just for a few days. Every journey, no matter how small, can enrich your life and bring you new insights and joy. If you want more travel tips, just send me a DM on social media or here… stay tuned.