Taiwan and learning lessons

Hi there....have not posted in some time so I have a lot of catching up to do this month......
I will start with a vacation I took during a 6 day break I had at school...Taiwan.....

Now, to start with I did no research on this destination (which is strange I know), but I was studying for my GRE's (grad school entrance exam) and a friend was coming with me that lived in Taiwan for a year. So, I relinquished control and told her to have at it! I cannot tell you how much I appreciated all of her hard work, and she did a great job (Nina, you are wonderful). However, I would not go back to Taiwan. Some parts of it were fantastic, and I am glad I went, but there were some difficult times that challenged me. One of which was my back. As most of you know I have back problems, and at times it is of no concern in my life and at other times it is so painful that it is difficult to stay upright. Unfortunately, in Taiwan I was having trouble staying upright (that sounds really funny). Anyway, Taiwan was a very concrete (and I mean literally concrete everywhere!) place. I thought I had gone there will no expectations, but I guess I did. I expected something tropical and beachy with lots of water to swim in (here is where research would have came in handy) but unfortunately the only clean water to swim in in was a pool (a beautiful pool, but a pool nonetheless).

My friend took us to so many amazing places (once again, thank you Nina!!), but I am the kind of person who re energizes herself through nature. I go for a ride in the country here in Korea, and I feel better just getting away from the concrete buildings for an hour. I love nature and hate big big cities.

Even thought this trip was different that what I had anticipated, I learned some valuable things about myself and while I am still trying to figure some stuff out, I do feel stronger because of it.