Lively Island, Taiwan

Rough winds came roaring in like a furious mob of protestors against my cheap, fragile, second-hand bike. Phew-a-phew-a-phew was the sound of me breathing; I could feel my legs give in but—I had to make it! My dad had already stopped at the next resting point and was patiently waiting for me. Though I was frantically peddling my bike I was no match for the violent winds of the ‘White Sand’ Beach, Taiwan.

Reluctantly, I slowly slid off my seat and began dragging myself and my bike towards the next resting point; breathing even more heavily every fraction of a step I took. For what reason did I choose to go cycling out of all the activities available; my brother said it would be painful. He was most definitely correct, I thought to myself dryly. There were so many other activities: visiting the innovational Taiwan Modern Art Gallery; having a pleasant boat ride across the ‘River of Love’; or even having lunch at Taipei 101. However (as you can see) the 5k challenge across the ‘White Sand’ Beach proved to be much more luring than anything else could possibly be. Fortunately the beach was actually quite pretty. The sand (as it is renowned for) was impressively white whereas the ocean consisted of various shades of blue and green. Once this indescribably fascinating site catches your eye; you’ll never be able to look away from it.

And indeed I couldn’t.

Suddenly—this tranquility ended with my father’s voice, “Quickly we’re going to start the final kilometer.” Tiredly I hopped on to my bike and made my way after him. The next ten minutes… were the longest ten minutes of my life! It mainly consisted of me falling off my bike, carrying my bike forwards, riding my bike again, and then falling once again. When I finally reached the end of this challenge I collapsed to the ground, desperately grasping for air. Grasping for life.

“Well done son,” congratulated my father.

Regretfully I moaned, “Thanks Dad…”

As we made our way onto a cab and back to our hotel, I was secretly deciding on what to eat. After that once in a lifetime bike ride I was starving to death. Luckily, Taiwan had some really delicious food: Countless Sushi restaurants; a few family ran beef noodle restaurants; and a mouthwatering Taiwanese style BBQ. All of which I’ve been to during my past one week here, unfortunately the Qing Ming Holiday was only this long. What would you want to do during your last day before leaving an island like Taiwan?

After quite a long time of pondering I decided that I wanted to go to that BBQ place. However my father thought differently, “We should go have some brilliant food on the River Side Street! Always wanted to see what it felt like.”

I detested that idea. Nonetheless I was in no position to argue. For the past few days here in Taiwan I was always the one who decided on what to eat, so I unwillingly whispered, “sure, why not?” —I wish I didn’t.

At first I thought the River Side Street was some sort of street filled with local restaurants. However, after seeing it I realized that I was wrong. It turned out to be a large handful of various small stalls gathered on either side of the street. Despite the fact that I did not like street food (I personally believe it is not sanitary) the food smelled really nice. I felt that I was being lured into this street of food but my conventional image of how street food is cooked stopped me from moving any more forwards. My dad had already bought a small box of fish balls though and was trying to get me to have some, but I was still quite hesitant. What if the food is unclean and I get food poisoning?

“Dad, I don’t think the food is clean” I complained.

Yet he removed all my hesitations with just one sentence.

“Really son, you can see them cook it from behind there stalls. All of it’s cooked thoroughly; they wouldn’t dare do anything folly!”

And just like that I took a small bite out of one of the fish balls. Amazing. It was a bit juicy yet full of flavor—there was no stopping me now! I went on, to another stall selling fried squid; a stall-selling shrimp with clams; and then a stall selling stuffed steam buns. Before I knew it, I had already reached the end of the street!

By now I was paralyzed, all of my previous “hardships” during the morning seemed to have slipped away with my hunger.

As I looked back across the street I realized this place’s liveliness for the first time; bright lights illuminated this dull capitalist city (Taipei) enchanting all that pass by; Stall owners differed, some keenly persuading people to come, others resting behind dim tables hoping for another customer or two; and finally the key factor to making anything lively, sound. The Riverside Street had blaring clamors generated from people or transportation echoing in every part of itself…

“Son, are you excited about going back to Shanghai tomorrow?” my father asked disinterestedly (and presumably extremely full too),

I shot a quick, curious glance at him and then murmured reflectively… “Not at all, not at all.”

Baron