Since arriving in Kaohsiung there has been a few things to adopt too, as one would expect. However they have not all be cultural issues. The first lasting impression about Kaohsiung is the heat. The official temperature seems to sit around 30 degrees but what the temperature actually feels like is closer to 40 degrees. Since my last posting, the way the Doctor and I have dealt with the heat is to head over to the local department store and wonder around there enjoying their cool climate. The department store has too many floors to count and feels like a small city inside. When I finish posting, that is exactly where I will be heading for dinner.
Another problem that I have come across was that the Doctor bought a new notebook computer and then decided to give it to me as he doesn't like changes in technology. A new computer is something that I look forward to playing with, but trying to put Ubuntu on this one has proof to be quite troublesome. One of the first challenges to overcome was that the screen size and resolution. The screen is 16 inches and trying to find the drivers and installation method were very elusive. After trying all weekend (only to avoid the heat) I finally fluked it today. Now with a working computer, I have been able to catch up on my boring computer admin stuff.
There is no need to think that I have travelled all this way just to sit in an apartment and tinker with computers. This morning I was out and about where I found the Language School that I will be going to and paid their fees. Now all that is left is to start the classes. I hope studying in New Zealand has helped my memory because I know that I am going to need it for remembering the picture characters and the new phonetics.
I also went on a bit of an explore hoping to find Love River (that is the name of the River that runs through Kaohsiung). Taking the train as far as I could, I came across water but I am sure it wasn't Love River. After wondering around for about 30 to 40 minutes, I decided enough was enough and should have used Google Maps first to find out where I should have headed. That'll be my task for tomorrow morning before the heat sets in.
Finally as I am typing this posting, the sun has well and truly set and I managed to grab a photo just as the sun was dropping behind the horizon. Tonight it was a brilliant red colour; but that usually means there is a lot of pollution in the air.
Oh, the other thing I forget to mention about today, early morning around 8:00am, mother nature decided to give Kaohsiung a bit of a shake. Nothing serious, just a bit of side to side and around shaking. None of the up and down shaking that is dangerous. Earthquakes do take a bit of getting use to and New Zealand had their fair share; although I didn't usually feel them there. The last earthquake New Zealand had was in the deep south west and apparently moved New Zealand closer to Australia by quite a few centimetres. What out Australia - New Zealand is trying to join up with you...
Anyway, till next time, haveagoodone...
2 comments:
sounds like you are settling in. Glad you have the computer working. Can you take a photo with the sun a tiny bit higher, that will be interesting.
Maybe you should make a cotton scarf with a pocket to put ice cubes in to help keep cool.
Well you certainly have been getting out and about even if it is so hot. The earthquakes I would certainly notice. We had one in UK a couple of years ago and I thought a heavy animal was being dragged across the attic and protesting loudly!! I HAD been in a deep sleep! Then I thought John was having a fit and finally when it woke him up I asked what on earth had happened? "An earthquake?" He calmly said as he turned over and went back to sleep!
Ok, not severe but all the same..... lol.
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