The "Taiwan Experience," the economic miracle that Taiwan has achieved, is a phrase the average person hears all the time. What I would like to describe, however, is a personal affair, a "Taiwan experience" of my own I will never forget.
I am a 21-year-old student from Singapore. While I was still doing National Service, I had a chance to experience military life in Taiwan. At first, my doubts about leaving home for two months were marked by fears of homesickness and a tough military stint in an unfamiliar country.
When I landed at CKS International Airport on 16th March, 1994, my military life entered a new phase.
I was welcomed with "open arms" by the inhabitants of Meilin Town in Yunlin County when I was informed that I would be putting up at Meilin Camp for the next two weeks. Being a driver in the military, I had a hard time adjusting to the traffic situation in Taiwan. From driving on a different side of the road (as compared to Singapore) to the hard-to-tell intentions of Taiwanese drivers, driving was an altogether new experience.
But if the driving was difficult, the people that I met while cruising around towns and villages were heart-warming. It is not easy to put it down in words, but the closest description that I can give to Taiwanese is "hospitable and friendly." All my feelings of homesickness and worries about staying in a foreign country were soon overcome by the love and care that the Taiwanese showered on us, the "soldier brothers" from Singapore.
For almost two months, I traveled to and from different military camps in Hsinhua, Tapu, Chang-hua, etc. Once in a while in between journeys, I also had the chance to stop at various scenic spots to capture some unforgettable images on film. These photographs are still among the most valued in my collection.
When I had free time, I often visited the small but homey restaurants located outside various camps. From these eateries, I got to savor local specialties like meat dumplings and fried noodles.
And from the serene and remote towns and villages, I moved to Taipei City while I was having my R&R (rest and recreation) just before flying back home. The crowds and lights of Taipei never failed to fascinate me, although I've been to other cities such as Bangkok and Hong Kong. Being a big fan of Taiwanese pop music, I allowed myself to "go wild" over the chains of CD shops and KTVs.
For most servicemen, R&R is the best time during their overseas stay, but for me, the time I spent in your country is the best two months I have had in my life.
[Picture Caption]
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Making good use of a holiday for a trip to Hsinhua's Hutoupi. (courtesy of Adrian W.M. Chia)
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The starfruit orchard near Hsinhua is brimming with fruit. This is a rare sight in Singapore. (courtesy of Adrian W.M. Chia)
The starfruit orchard near Hsinhua is brimming with fruit. This is a rare sight in Singapore. （courtesy of Adrian W.M. Chia）
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