How do you begin a story that sounds so fantastical in your mind as to border on fiction, even when it actually happened?
It was my birthday, the last of my 20's, and I was on a 5 month backpacking trip across Southeast Asia on my way back to the U.S. I happened to be in Kaohsiung, the southernmost city in Taiwan. I had been chilling in a small hostel for several days figuring my next steps. I had 2 weeks in the country before my visa ended and I had to be gone.
My afternoon had been slightly out of the ordinary.
As if travel across all these countries was anything but... But, today was that kind of day. I had been wandering through an artsy district somewhere near the water when I came across an art show. I really wish I could show you images from it, but I have not yet found them in my archives. It was a collection of chalk drawings that messed with your sense of perspective. From the right angle everything looked just crazy perfect. From everywhere else, everything was distorted.
The high point, though, was the 2 girls I sparked up a conversation with. A local student and her friend. We chatted and the chemistry felt right. It was one of those weird fun moments as her friend ended up convincing her to show me around the city that evening. Not a bad gift from the universe if you ask me.
She picked me up on her moped.
The city, in fact, looked like a beehive populated by these puttering machines. We gabbed some food to go from a small street-side restaurant. She ordered a bunch of stuff I didn't recognize but looked really tasty. I can't even remember the name of the temple we went to, but it was the perfect one.
The gates were guarded by a giant pack of dogs. I kid you not. I think there was at least 30 of them. Apparently in Taiwan they are against spaying and neutering strays, or even taking them off the street. I believe the reasons are religious, but it leads to some very sketchy situations. She didn't seem to worried and I did my best to mimic her. Having that many dogs coming up to you that intently, not so much fun.
But, they soon gave we and after a little hike we found ourselves sitting on stairs that looked out over the city and the sea. It was fun. Trying to have a conversation. We both didn't speak each others language, but wanted to find out more about each other and our story. That is another amazing aspect of travel. Hearing about life from a completely different perspective.
We sat and munched on what we had gotten at the restaurant.
Far from alone many couples sat here and there doing the same thing we were. Some were friends, some more. We just enjoyed the conversation. Seriously, On a small island thousands of miles from home I got to spend the last birthday of my twenties chatting with a lovely lady about life looking out over the beautiful city of Kaohsiung. Talk about crazy memory, right? Anyone else have any crazy cool birthday stories in far away places?
My submission to the Steemit Power Of Positivity P.O.P Contest #29
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