Karaoke: Music a Universal Feeling

On night we all went out to the famous KTV to sing karaoke! Here in Taiwan it is a popular thing to do with your friends. However, whatever your thoughts are of karaoke in the States (a smoky and dimly lit bar) . . . throw them out the window because it certainly is not the same.

We went on a Monday night and there were so many of us who wanted to go that we actually went in two separate groups. One group left at 5pm and the other (the group I left with) left at 7pm. Of course we all went there by scooters (we look like a scooter squad everywhere we go), which is always fun. For starters, instead of going to some smoky bar where you hear someone singing some tone illiterate version of "I will survive," a group of girls singing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," or some descent attempt of "New York, New York". . . you enter this immaculate lobby, as if you were checking into a 5-star hotel like the Hilton or the Ritz Carlton.

Upon escaping the humid hot air and stepping into the refreshing chill of central A/C, a few of our Taiwanese friends walked up to the front desk (equivalent to the Check-In) and ordered our room for sixteen (which eventually increased into the twenties). We were given our room number and off to the elevator we went. The number turned four in the elevator and the doors opened with a pre-recorded voice saying, “fourth floor.” Stepping out of the elevator, right before our eyes was an all you can eat buffet. Rice, noodles, cornballs, cabbage, ginger chicken, and pork lomein were just some of the options. There were also cookies, shaved ice, fruit, pig blood cake, red bean cake, pastries, and other sweets to choose from. To the side there was a selection of teas (black tea, green tea, oolong tea, hot or cold), sodas, and juices to help wash down the unlimited amount of food you could try to consume. But before we could begin to stuff our faces . . .  

  . . . We had to see our room first!

After walking down the marble hallways, we came to our door. The door swung open and our karaoke pad was in plain site. It was a rather large room with dark leather couches (one side raised up by 2 feet with a high-top, the other side at normal level), a private bathroom, big surround sound speakers, a jukebox with song selections, and a big screen with a projector to display the song selections and their coordinating music videos. It was just as if we were given our very own VIP room. 

Of course, after we located our room, it was time to go pile our plates with all the food I mentioned earlier. Also, drink the different teas that were provided.  The fact that we had a full six hours was irrelevant . . . eat now and slow down later, haha.

To no surprise as some of us returned to our room, a list of songs has already been selected and people were already singing popular tunes. That being said, our six hours of eating, sipping on tea (which later was replaced with some Taiwan beer), laughing, and dancing began. We would have spurts of popular American songs followed by spurts of popular Taiwanese songs. Needless to say, no matter what the song was, we all shared the same feeling of enjoyment and fun (even when we couldn’t understand certain songs). With all that time, we basically sang every popular karaoke song known to man. Just to name a few, we sang a wide range of songs: “Everyone was Kung Fu Fighting,” “Hey Jude,” “I Will Survive,” “Bye Bye Bye,” “I Believe I Can Fly,” “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” “Circle of Life,” “A Whole New World,” and many many others!

As the night turned into the next day (early AM), the tables got more filled with empty plates and cups, our voices began to crack, and people began to sway in and out of consciousness on the comfy leather couches. At the end of our last song, we left our VIP singing pad to go pay the bill . . . it was NT$280 per person ($10 American dollars)! To Taiwanese standard this is more expensive than usual, but wow I don’t think you can go to a 2-hour movie for that price anymore (that doesn’t even include the popcorn and large Coke).

Anyways, through this experience I understood that music has a powerful way of moving people, of getting them to think, of getting them to dance, etc. In other words, it doesn’t matter what language the song is in (or how on key the singer(s) was/were), music and popular songs get people to feel something, whether it is a unique feeling, or a similar feeling. That night at KTV, was a night of great memories, laughter, and a night that further broke the ice and the barriers between two languages and two cultures, for we got to see the two blend together as we enjoyed each others company, had some fun, and shared similar feelings. 

Things I Miss And What Keeps Me Going

   With a need to just get away from campus, do some work, collect my thoughts, have some independence, and fulfill a growling stomach at 10pm at night, I decided to go to the one place that no matter where you are in the world, you can almost count on being open 24 hours . . . McDonalds, haha. Ordering a burger w/ fries and coke from an American establishment was enough to put a smile on my face. Sure it has a few minor differences here, but overall it is the same. However, it is much cleaner and marketed as a popular hang out place, compared to a place to grab a quick bite for the sake of saving time or satisfying a 2am hunger grave after a night at the bar/club.

   With that in mind, I never thought that being in a McDonald’s would make me feel a sense of pride about being an American. While munching on some warm, crispy fries and writing Chinese characters, it occurred to me that I come from a country that promotes the free flow of ideas that challenge the impossible by making them possible. I mean, here I am in a country that is exactly on the other side of the globe from my home in Florida and I have the privilege to get the same experience as if I were home. I am in sitting in an establishment that was thought of from Richard and Maurice McDonald, Americans. This is just one of many American corporations that you can find over the world. That being said, I don’t think a whole lot of other countries can say the same thing (at the very least it would be harder for others to say).  Call it commercial imperialism if you want, but I call it opportunity . . . I call it making small ideas turn into big ideas and big ideas turning into reality. That is America, or at the very least what one of its meanings is to me.

While enjoying a small smooth Oreo McFlurry, I realized how much I missed the taste (I don’t eat at McDonald’s a lot), but the taste of Oreos (another American company) and ice cream made me think of all the things I do miss at home.

They are:

* My family

* My friends (especially the ones who have made efforts to keep in contact while my time abroad)

* My Truck! The freedom to get up and drive wherever I want to go.

* Boat days to the sandbar and just cruising around the blue intercostal

* Cooking and having home cooked meals or dinner parties

* Enjoying a good bottle of red wine with company on the couch, on the dock, or on the balcony at my apartment.

* Late night talks at my grandparents

* Occasional chats with my Aunt Debbie on the dock

* Occasional chats with my Aunt Gina and Uncle Jack in their kitchen

* Stopping by my brother’s house and my sister’s house to just say hi and chat over a beer or do yard work.

* The laughter of my niece and nephews and playing with them

* A REAL BURGER. . . a tender steak cooked medium-rare/medium

* New York Style Pizza that is not from a chain restaurant

* My morning coffee

* Sunday morning service at my church

* My morning trip to the inlet to enjoy my bagel

* Central A/C

* The gym

* My bathroom and reliable shower that turns hot when I want it to and cold when I want it to.

* Being able to converse (and have deep conversation) with anyone without a possible language or cultural barrier.

   With those things listed, it is important to note that this list is not intended to offend anyone or the Taiwanese culture. If anything, rather than the things I miss, they are the things I have come to appreciate even more during my time here. For this experience and the Taiwanese culture has and is still continuing to show me new things, challenge me in new ways, and help me grow in places I was never aware of before.

   Having stated all of that, I would like to point out the one thing though that I have found that no matter where life takes you, that you don’t have to miss because it and He is always with you . . . that is your faith. He genuinely is always with you and no matter where you go physically, mentally, or emotionally it (faith) and He is still there. You would have to try really hard to miss Him. I feel if you find yourself missing Him and your faith, it is only because you chose to leave Him (although he truly never left, you just stopped listening).

   Sure, being away from home will cause you to miss things; I feel that is only normal. The difference is how you learn to adapt to not having these things we take for granted everyday. There are a good number of the other American students here that have seemed to burn out and are in a daily sense of homesickness. Have I felt homesick? Sure I have, but being here I have learned to rely more on faith and trust in Him more than I ever have. I understand that no matter where you go, that you can always take a piece of home with you. This can mean the difference between those who break down, those who are running from something, and those who face walls and continue to climb over them.

   That being said, I will continue to jump over unexpected hurdles and climb towering walls. For I know that the things I miss now will be there when I return and that I will appreciate them even more when I have them back in my life. Until then, I will continue to hold onto the one thing that I can take with me anywhere, my faith and the appreciation of His presence and love.

Kaohsiung Harbor: Ferries, Ships, BBQ Squid, and Ice Cream Music?

Within seven minutes the bus came to another stop and opened its doors. This time as I got off the bus I could smell a very familiar smell . . . salty air. The weather was a little cloudy as it was heading into evening hours. As we got off the bus we headed straight onto the ferry, which would take us across the harbor to Chichin Island. Chichin Island is a popular island across from downtown Kaohsiung that is full of shops, fresh seafood, and the beach along the South China Sea and Taiwan Straight. Additionally, there is a hill you can climb which overlooks both bodies of water, the harbor, and the city of Kaohsiung.

            As the ferry doors lifted up, the smell of exhaust raised into the air as the sound of the rumbling engines turned on and sloshing water was propelled behind the double deck ferry (of course I was on the top deck). The ferry came out of the cannel it was docked in and moved into the maze of Kaohsiung harbor. With cargo ships entering and leaving, ferries heading to various destinations, and local fishermen returning from a hard days work, it was as if it was a water highway.  Once in the harbor, the skyline of Kaohsiung appeared in plain site along the water’s edge, with Sky 85 piercing the grayish, bluish, and purple sky. To the other side, Chichin Island was in close proximity with the a warm colored sky (red, orange, yellow) creating a backdrop the hill’s peak (with a lighthouse on top) marking the entrance/exit to the harbor.

            Soon the ferry came to a stop as it bumped into the wooden pilings and dropped its metal door onto the concrete dock. Exiting the ferry, we walked onto the island and immediately could smell the mixture of cooked seafood aromas.  From quail eggs, fried soft shell crab, fish balls, sea snails, to barbeque squid, the streets were filled with venders offering you to buy their dish. Some stands had tanks of swimming fish, oysters, live lobster, and even eels! As you can image, I was overwhelmed with all the delicious smells and site of fresh seafood. Not know where to begin, I turned to my study companion and just said, “let me know if there is something you think I should try.”

            Everyone seemed to be attracted to the bbq squid, so it was an automatic magnetic force to my senses. We walked over and each ordered one. It is a whole squid that they put spices on, throw on the grill (w/ a stick), squirt some sauce on it and hand it to you for NT$50 (which is not event $2). Are you kidding, calamari on a stick for less than $2!

            With our squid on stick in hand, we walked to the end of the street to the beach. We picked a seat right on the beach, facing the Taiwan Strait. With the view of cargo ships anchored out in the distance, Taiwanese attempting to surf the thigh high swell (could have been cargo wake for all I know - haha), and our toes in the sand, we took our first bite out of our food – starting with the tentacles. It was excellent! I mean it wasn’t like I have never had squid before, we just give it a fancy name, fry it in some batter,   and serve it with cocktail sauce.

            After we finished, I had to put my feet in the Taiwan Strait, so I took off my shoes and walked to the waters edge, took a few photos with some of my new friends, and then headed back to the street to check out some other possible foods to grab. I am sure you can guess that I did indeed treat myself to more. I had fried quail eggs, a big soft shell crab, and a refreshing cup of blended papaya milk (papaya, milk, and ice blended). That being said, there is one thing that is quite interesting in Taiwan . . . finding a trashcan is like finding Waldo. I find this comical because when you actually do find a trashcan, there are 5 different ones that specify what type of trash you put in it. It isn’t just recycle and trash…oh no. There is a trashcan for food, paper, bottles, plastic, glass, and other trash.  By this point it was getting close to returning to the bus (it drove over across the bridge while we were enjoying our festivities). There was still one problem; I needed to throw away my trash!

            All of the sudden I heard the most relieving sound! It was the sound of music from an ice cream truck, however, I was not excited at the fact that it was an ice cream truck coming; no it was the garbage truck coming! Yes, I said “garbage truck.” In Taiwan, they have a different philosophy when it comes to trash. The trash truck plays this music (identical to ice cream truck music) and when it comes around, you come out and throw your trash in the truck . . . compared to putting your trash at the end of the driveway. The nice thing though is that it comes around everyday. Always, I walked up to the truck and threw my trash in the truck. I never thought I would feel excited to throw trash in a garbage truck before, haha. That being said, every day you can hear that music around town, which is funny because it gives a melody in the air at random times of the day.

            Anyways, with my mission complete, we got onto the bus and made our way back to campus. During the ride we sang karaoke (I will post about karaoke in my next post) as the sun began to set and as our first excursion came to a close.