Typhoon Day, 颱風

Typhoon Soulik is coming and I believe I've taken all the necessary precautions. I've made a trip to the supermarket to buy a few days worth of food and water. I've locked all my windows and I'm pretty sure there's a flashlight someplace in my room. At college when classes are cancelled drinking ensues although I'd like to personally recommend building a fort. Today at the supermarket when I was stocking up with tea and frozen dumplings I spotted a man with a basket filled with nothing but beer. Apparently people of all ages and in all places spend their time waiting out storms by consuming large amounts of alcohol.

The last time I was in Taiwan I only experience one typhoon and it didn't involve much besides some rain. Unfortunately the typhoon landed on a Saturday so I didn't even get a day off of school. Typhoon Soulik happened to start on Friday evening so I didn't need to go to class this afternoon. The weather this morning was quite pleasant. I even went a run in an attempt to prevent cabin fever later in the day. This morning I feared being cooped up all day in my apartment. I was saved by a phone call by my old host sister. She was kind enough to invite me to go to Din Tai Fung and meet the short-term exchange student staying at her house.  (http://returntotheroc.blogspot.tw/2013/07/din-tai-fung.html) After lunch we proceeded to walk to Sun Yet Sen Memorial Hall, 孫中山. After some mango-ice (http://returntotheroc.blogspot.tw/2013/07/mango-ice.html) at the famous Ice-Monster we traveled to a temple.

Xing Tian Temple (That's not a sorority squat) 

At the temple we all wished for safety, peace, and better test grades. I returned to my old host family's house for dinner and some tea. I was asked if my parents would be worrying about me. I'm pretty sure my parents are unaware of the typhoon, so I don't think my folks are worrying about me.

My feelings on typhoons are mixed. A day off is nice, but being cooped up inside really isn't my thing. All of the phone calls from old host parents old host cousin I received today were truly appreciated.  I've learned a few things from the typhoon including that there are plenty of people in Taipei who are concerned for my well being. I've received plenty of phone calls from old host parents and even a host cousin today. Also the simplified characters for typhoon, (台风) look nothing like the traditional characters (颱風).