About Taiwan

HISTORY
Taiwan is known for it's kind people and interesting cuisine. In 1949, after a defeat in China's civil war, military and political leader Chiang Kai-Shek left China with millions of Chinese members of the 'Republic of China' party. The descendants of these migrators live in Taiwan today. Contrary to popular misconception, China has never owned Taiwan.

Taiwan is also known as the "Republic of China" or "Ilha Formosa" which means beautiful island.

My mission, the Taiwan Taichung Mission, covers South East Taiwan. Most of Taiwan's major cities are in my mission. Sisters often serve in cities rather than the countryside.

CLIMATE
Taiwan is 1/16th the size of Texas, with the same size population. Taiwan is quite warm, with heat and humidity like Hawaii in the summer and foggy San Francisco-like weather in the winters. A mountain range runs through the center of Taiwan, but most people live along the coast.

LANGUAGE
Mandarin is the national language of Taiwan and the language I will be studying at the MTC. However, many people still speak Taiwanese in the south (Taiwan's old native language). Missionaries often learn some conversational Taiwanese after they become familiar with mandarin.

SAFETY
Taiwan is relatively safe, with a lower crime-rate than the US. Packages are delivered safely, and mail is very reliable. Letters take two or three weeks to arrive to Taiwan; packages are sometimes longer.

FOOD
Taiwan has cuisine from all parts of China. As members of the 'Republic of China' party left China, they brought recipes from every providence of China. These dishes have all become staples of Taiwanese cuisine. Street food is very common in Taiwan, and often cheaper than groceries. Missionaries eat out for most meals.

Some dishes may scare Americans. Common food in Taiwan include chicken feet, duck, tea, stinky tofu, fresh soy milk, sushi, breakfast rice rolls, stir fry, rice dishes, tofu, noodle soups, and seafood (fish to squid). Some more interesting dishes include duck brain, snakes blood, sea urchin, fish eyes, and pickled meats. Taiwan also has more fruits than Americans have ever seen and vegetables are eaten with most dishes. I am actually excited about all the strange foods in Taiwan. Wish me luck!

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