My boss had showed me where some Tennis courts were on my first day, I don't know where they were, or even where they are now, but the were close. I figured the best thing to do would be to pack my bag and ask people. I asked the first girl I saw, not sure. Walked to the end of the street, here were two older woman and a man working at a meat stand or something. They had me come in and the man offered me tea! Incredibly nice.
Then as they were explaining where it was said it was too far and practically forced me to get in their truck and go with them. Remember what your parents said about not accepting rides from strangers, I considered it but if I can't defend myself against an old man and two old women (the women weren't even coming) then I have greater problems to deal with than whatever they want.
So yea he drove me to the spot, but I didn't realize it. I needed to continue walking down a small street and I would have been there, instead I saw a huge school and thought inside maybe there would be something so I circled the huge block and noted all the doors were closed. I was back where I started and saw a street vendor selling awesome sculptures. I recognized one as the famous Guan Yu and verified it was him. Then just thought, lets speak some Chinese yea! So we engaged in conversation and I found out this mighty Guan Yu would cost about $1000 in USD. No way, this is the type of place you can haggle. I said it was expensive but of course, he had made it himself by hand. What a great wooden carving, he tried to get me interested in a smaller version which was also quite impressive. I liked it and talked to him about it and the price. It was selling for $6000 NT, that's about $183 USD. Haha, did I mention this is not the original price, he actually lowered it after talking to me for 5 minutes or so. He knew I didn't have the money on me today but I asked when he'd be back and told him I may come back another time. He was nice and had no idea where Tennis courts were.
I left and went back towards my school, I knew there were courts not far away, where were they? I actually passed by the people who had previously been giving me a ride. I walked to parks I knew but everyone I asked didn't know, this was getting tiring and I was starting to feel the sun's heat.
I found a new park and saw a man on a bench, as I approached him he began to whistle, weird. He had just been shouting to two men farther into the park on a plateau. I didn't realize it right away but I think he was signalling to them. I asked him about the Tennis courts. He didn't know but then invited me over to talk with the other two.
They all disagreed on the the instructions to give me, it was hilarious and awesome. Then one of them, who seemed a little off, but was still really nice, turned his scooter around and told me to get on. I didn't want to, I suspect there were up to something, maybe selling drugs... but they were so insistent and actually really nice. After refusing two or three times I gratefully mounted the scooter and we were on our way. The man smelt like he may have been a pot head, I never smoked pot so I don't know if this is even remotely true, it could've been some Buddhist incense, but the three guys all looked like the shady type, really tan, this one was really skinny, and the way they spoke, I have my suspicions. In any event, he took me right back to where we were and I got off saying thanks, thinking he had just intended to bring me to the same school, but he was like, we haven't arrive yet, get back on. He was right and I'm glad he said that.
He took a right and then a quick left, down a narrow street and then I shouted with joy when I saw some clay courts! He was a really nice guy, I got off, thanked him, and went through a gate, to enter what was like a sort of above ground dugout where a lot of younger middle aged men were hanging out with rackets. Then my escort, now turned around and ready to take off, shouted to verify that I was in the right spot, where I wanted to be. That's a courteous guy.
The Tennis guys were great, one of them spoke some English. It was at least as good as my Chinese, perhaps better. There were some teens playing Soft Tennis there, a sport popular in Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam... I think those were the three countries they told me. They verified that I could play on this court with the US style Tennis. In fact one of them invited me to play. We played, he asked to play a match, we did. I played horrifically, but won the first game. Sadly I lost the next three. The man played with form that was lacking, but consistent. I haven't played in at least a month, so a consistent player is the worst type for me to play against right now, even so I am disappointed that I lost. Then we talked a little while and they were all really nice and friendly. They were also hilarious, like teenage guys hanging out with a foreigner. There was usually at least one person calling shots in and out and then some people making jokes on the sideline.
After playing they asked how I was, another guy wanted to play with me! Great, I threw away all emotions and let myself hit the ball. This time I would not let my rust skills be defeated.
We played on game and I believe I lost on a shot where my strings broke and I could no longer play, but here is the big news: the guy said he works for a company that creates molds for Tennis rackets and he would take care of the racket with new strings for free.
I thought, leave my racket with this guy I don't know. No way. I did. He seems 100% honest and totally reputable, he asked for my name and number and all ready knew I was living at the school because we had talked about it earlier. He volunteered to drop the racket off for me on Wednesday and told me he used to live across the street. I said I could meet him at the courts to pick it up, but he said him dropping it off would be more convenient. Great! I told him I was going to pay him regardless, he reluctantly agreed to $100 -- that's about $3 US. In the US that will not even pay for cheap strings, much less the cost for stringing the racket. I will try to give him $200 after I inspect the stringing job.
As I was leaving they explained to me the membership fees associated with the court, it sucks that I have to pay but it's not surprising, this is a clay court that requires maintenance. Of course it should be paid for. It is relatively cheap but it's a yearly membership so it's a decent financial commitment, I may try to look for different places to play. I also don't know how frequently I want to play. It is farther down on the list than Kung Fu (because I am so close to China) and Triathlons (because I think I can really compete here while getting into great shape). Who knows, one thing is for sure, in Taiwan my interests and hobbies may not be as popular but it doesn't seem like they are limited.
One big apprehension about playing at these courts is that as my skills return these men won't pose much of match for me.... so I don't know if there are many other good players. Fortunately I'll be meeting my friend's friend in a couple weeks, I was told he was one of the top ten players in Taiwan. He should be able to romp me, but for sure he will know about the skill level and such in Taiwan.
The main thing here is that people here are incredibly welcoming. Taiwan is by no means perfect, but they are incredibly hospitable whenever I ask them anything. It's refreshing, although I feel a bit spoiled. Sure I try to help out foreigners in the US but I wouldn't say I've ever gone so far, and certainly never expected anything in return... of course they were always more appreciative than anything as well.
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