Melanie Chang ~ the wedding ~

Well finally August came, after a while of preparing and waiting. I will tell you all about the 3 weeks before and after our big day.

The first to arrive were Linda and Evelien. They arrived on Sunday 14th, Aming and I went to the airport to pick them up [a ride we have driven a lot this month]. While waiting for them Aming and I made a bet who would recognize them from looking at only the shoes. At Taoyuan airport the glass is covered with plastic, so when they are waling out of the door, you can only see the shoes. Well Aming was the winner, he picked out the correct shoes and I was very happy to see my dearest friends walking through the door. A big hug and kisses was what followed. Then in the car back to Taipei. After a short rest in the hotel I took the girls out to eat hot pot, at one of Aming's and my favourite hot pot restaurants. And Linda and Evelien enjoyed as well. Ofcourse I could have taken them to eat strange and stinky things but the first day I wanted to take it easy and not scare them inmediately. After a big meal we decided to hit the city, going to a jazz bar called EZ5. Local and international unknown artists perform on stage, and you can even request songs. There is one guy I prefer, he makes a real show of it and is very funny. But unluckily he was not there that night. We ordered three different cocktails and I learned the girls how Taiwanese drink with eachother. Most important: NEVER drink alone. So everytime when someone lifted his/her glass and gently banged it to your glass you had to drink aswell. We got good in it, by drinking one after another. When we went home we just noticed that we drank a lot of cocktails... time for a good night sleep!

The next day I had to pick up my other friends Manon and Danielle, Linda and Evelien could sleep in and take it easy. In the evening I had made reservations to go BBQ-ing for 2 hours [all you can eat]. I know this must sound appealing to men, but trust me it is also very nice for us girls. It is a Japanese style restaurant. We were almost done when Manon had some fish in her bowl and she thought the fish as alive and moving. We ofcourse laughed at her, a fish that has just been BBQ-ed can not be alive anymore. Actually she was pointing out a very small worm kind of thing in her ball. And indeed it was alive. We called for th waitress, who was obviously shocked by this aswell. But it gave us something to laugh about.

After the meal we went to Shilin nightmarket, one of the biggest and famous nightmarkets of Taipei, to do some shopping. As it was a Monday night, it wasn't that busy, but still nice to stroll around after eating for 2 hours. Then it was a early night, as we planned to go to the beach the next day.

As said we head to the north coast [near Wanli] to hit the beach. We could all need some suntan, before the big day on Saturday. Aming drove us to the beach in his borrowed Karaoke van. Together we sang one of our favourites 'Country Roads'. One thing missing though was a man with a guitar... Aming thought of everything and dropped us off. Before heading back to Taipei, he took a quick dip. He went in the water and walked through some seaweed. But when he came out of the water, he was rubbing his leg with mud. No this is not some Taiwanese ritual. Apparantly he was stung by some kind of sea creature. It looked like all mosquito bites next to eachother. [note that even now 2 weaks later, we can still see spots on his leg and now and then the itching returns]. Well it was time for him to go back to Taipei anyway. Yes he had still things to do for our wedding. Late in the afternoon he came back to pick us up and have dinner at the local seafood restaurant near the beach. Aming ordered some typical Taiwanese dishes, such as; fish skin, seaweed, sashimi etc. Everybody tasted it, but not everybody liked it as much as the other. Anyways, it was a nice dinner. It was time to head back to Taipei, in the car everybody had that after-dinner-dip. Aming drove us to the soccer field [Bailin sportspark]. He wanted to show the girls the field and some people of his club. We enjoyed ourselves by playing some soccer, just like the old days. And what else can you do in Taiwan after exercise.... yes more eating. Aming's friends were dying to meet my friends, not to blame... 5 nice ladies... so we were invited to go eat Jiang Mu Ya [薑母鴉], which is a ginger duck hot pot, in Sanchong. This is the most famous 薑母鴉 restaurant and the biggest. Aming and I like it because it is very lively, you can eat and drink. The only disadvantage is the low chairs you have to sit on. Especially for Linda, the tallest one, it was not that enjoyable. It was here were the girls really showed how brave they were. The later it was the more akward things they had eaten. It first started with beetle nuts. This is also called the Taiwanese drugs or chewing gum. Man eat this a lot and they get a kick out of it. Kind a like coffee, it helps you stay awake. So don't worry it is not real drugs. But people who eat it often get an entire red mouth, disgusting to see. And they all spit this red liquid on the streets. Well the girls tried it and agreed it is not somerhing to do again. Then the rooster balls came out. They say this is good for the sex.... but in Taiwan they have many storied with every kind of food, so don't believe everything. The balls were not a big succes either. Then there was also my favourite, pigs blood with rice! This wasn't dirty, but also not rated as delicious. Well it became very late and we finished a lot of beers. The next day they could rest, but I had to go and pick up my family... so bedtime again.

The 18th, the last pick up from the airport, my 2 big brothers and their girlfriends and my litte niece Renee. Everybody had the same flight so it was all the same again. Again the doors open en there they come. Dad came with us, and he was quit nervous ofcourse, he hasn't seen his granddaughter for a long long time. He was dying to she his sons and granddaughter. We dropped them at the hotel and gave them some time to rest / recover from the long flight. Meanwhile I went to take the Mao Kong Gondala with Linda, Evelien en Danielle. Manon stayed at home as she was sick from all the strange delicatesses we had the other night. The gondola takes you up in the mountains just out of Taipei and at the end of the ride you hve many teahouses with great views. As the gondola was going very slow it took us a long time to get to the top. We had a quick cup of tea and enjoyed the view before leaving. We had dinner pans at home with everybody, Aming's mother cooked so I didn't want to be late. But we couldn't make it on time, so I called to tell them we were delayed for half an hour. When we came home, the entire living room was filled. Aming's sister and fam, my brothers and father, Manon, Aming's parents and then us. It was lively, loudly but fun. We had lots of food. Aming's mother is a great cook and she can really be a good host. Always taking care of her guests. After dinner we found out it was Aming's sister's [Judy] birthday. So cake was bought and we had to sing. Normally we sing happy birthday in Chinese en English, but ofcourse a Dutch version was added, includding the 3 times Hip hip hooray. Aming's mother liked the hoorays and she was so enthousiastic. So cute to see her with a big smile on her face being the best host. Aming's father was also really happy, he only drinks liquor, most of the time wiskey and for this night he openen one of his huge Johnnie Walker bottles for my brother, also a wiskey drinker. They had many 'cambei's' and he was so happy. After dinner we went to Holiday KTV [karaoke]. Aming's sister treated us. Hahaha it was very nice to see all the Dutch fces when we entered the room. Expectations were all different, but no one thought of this. It is a private room you rent and you can just sing for 3 hours. And there is food to eat. Well for the first time it were more English songs then Chinese. But I gave them a concert with my Chinese song, Lao Su Ai Da Mi. Later Judy joined and they saw how Taiwanese do this, they can sing quit good. Not like us just shouting along and dancing on the beat.

Thursday was the day of my hen party. I knew it would probably be on this day, but I had no idear what or where. Dewi, one of my close friends here in Taiwan organized the whole thing.

At lunch time I had to go with Manon and Danielle to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. We went there and nothing really happend. When we were up and inside the hall, some men in suit were looking at us. I thought they might want to ask something. So I kind of looked back. Then they asked if I was Melanie and I knew it was part of the day. They claimed they were from the immigration office and had to take me in. Something was wrong with my visa. They blindfolded me and took me to a car. We drove very fast [thanks to Dewi's husband] to another place and there I had to walk for a bit. When I got out of the car I had to follow one of the men by putting my hand on his shoulder. 'Trust me he said' and after 2 steps I bumped into a drinking machine. My toe hurted, but I had to go on. This was very scary walking without seeing. When they took off the blindfold my friends and sisters-in-law where there waiting for me. We had a lunch in Daan Park and played some Scandanavian game, which my team lost. Then we went off in 2 taxi's to a Recording Studio. We were going to record Kiss me sang by Sixpence Non the Richer. This is the first song I sang in the KTV for Aming. I would be the lead singer. Soon they discovered that we were not that talented, only Evelien with some Kinderen-voor-Kinderen experience was good. I had to sing the song like 7 or 8 times. Yeah I know I am not much of a singer. Finally it was a wrap and we could go to the next location. We went to Yangminshan, to a beautifull restaurant in the mountains with a great view of Taipei. The restaurant is called the Top. We could just see the sunset, really amazing. And the food was also great.

After dinner we went back to Dewi's place. She lives in a building near the 101 so we went up to take some nice pictures and then we left to the KTV room downstairs. When we were singing a long and enjoying all the videoclips suddenly we had to move to the movie room. I did not get why, but when I entered it hit me. Some guy was lying in front and I had to sit in the front chair. Yes a stripper. I thought they would not be able to find a stipper. But too bad, Dewi has many connections here in Taipei. They guy started dancing and came sitting on my lap, taking my hands to touch him. Yes I was shy. You all know I am though but also very shy. The guy laughed as he said, you have to touch me. Well he did his act and let me rip of his pants. He made me lie on top of him when he was kind of bouncing. Also he danced with every other girl. Then after this we hit the disco near Taipei 101. Sparks was closed, so we went to Room 18. We got a nice sitting room, from where we could see the whole bar. And enjoyed some cocktails. What a wonderfull day, all credits go to Dewi.

Friday was an esy going day, as Aming and me had to arrange the final bits and pieces for the big day. We went to visit Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. We saw the ceremony of changing the guards. Then we went to Dong Tai Feng, one of the most famous Dim Sum restaurants in Taipei. We had to wait for 30 minutes, but then we could go in. Everybody ordered what they like. And you could see all the enjoying faces. It was delicious. After lunch we took them to eat a Taiwanese traditional desert, mango ice. This ice is not made of ice-cream, but it is a huge ice cube, shaved on a plate. So actually you are eating ice shivers and they just ad some mango, sauce and jelly. Very delicious. Everybody was stuffed, so we needed some exercise. We decided to walk to the Taipei 101. According to Aming it was a 20 min walk. Which it wasn't, more like 1 to 1,5 hour. HAHAHA but we walked it. Only Marcel had to take a taxi for the last part as he had some blisters on his feet. At the Taipei 101 we went up to the 90th floor and to the roof top. The views were amazing. And also the elevator ride was an experience, it is the fastest in the world.

We went back home, as I had to get my nails done and Aming's cousin was staying over to help us out on Saturday. When we went to the nail artist at 8 I was pretty relaxed. Not knowing that fake gel nales would take 3 hours. Wow, it was quit a sit, but at least my nails looked good. At about 12 I headed back home wanting to sleep, we had to get up at 5 in the morning. A five hour sleep isn't really what we call a beauty sleep.

The big day. We got up early to decorate the location. We chose to held the ceremonay at Bailin soccer field. Using chairs, flowers, balloons, a red carpet and lanterns we decorated it into a wedding setting. We did quit good. Then I had to go and sit down for hair and make-up. Our guests were all standing in front of me looking at me, so I told Aming to take them to the field where they could have drinks and chat. It was a warm day, so we had to tents to cover the drink and food tables. When I was done, Aming came and pick me up and together with Sunny in front of us throwing flowers we walked down the aisle. Everybody standing up and clapping. Perfect. We both said our vows and were declared husband and wife. After a good kiss, we drank champagne to celebrate. Then we announced that everybody would get a bottle of wine with our picture on it as a thank you. At the ceremony we only invited family and close friends who have helped us out with the wedding or in recent years. Then the cake came out. We ordered a special cake, with a soccer ball on top and a bride and groom chasing eachother. We cut it together and gave everybody a piece. Leo [Aming's nephew] was very curious about the soccer ball.It seemed it was made of chocolate. When he took the knife to cut of a piece, the ball exploded. It was a balloon covered with chocolate. His face was all covered with cake and chocolate. So funny.

Then we got some presents from friends and family. Thank you so much for all the presents everybody. We took pictures with everybody, as a memory. Then it was time to just enjoy and chat with everybody. People who wanted to leave could go home. So slowly everybody went home. We helped cleaning up everything and rushed home aswell. We needed a power nap. And I still had to pick up a dress, which is a surprise for Aming.

















Then it was time to go into hair and make-up again for the dinner party. This took longer. Everybody was walking into my dressing room and asking me questions, but I was not allowed to answer. The dinner hall was becoming crowed. When I was ready my father came to pick me up and walk me half way down the aisle. When entering everybody clapped and it was perfect. My father gave me to Aming and together we walked to our table. The dinner went really fast. I had to sit and goi again for hair and make up. I had to go on stage to say something. And then listen to others and then I had to change again. For my last dress, I arranged all people that helped me to walk in front of me. And Aming would be surprised by how stunning I looked. It went a bit different, but who cares, Aming still thought I was beautifull. The dress was edgy, with a low cut at the front and a lot of bling bling and a long veil at the back. Everybody gathered besides the red carpet and clapped when I entered. Hahahaha... a little bit messy but still very nice. People were saying it took very long, so some already left. Now it was time to send out our guests. We prepared a box with candy inside to give every guest. And we have to stand at the exit. This way there is also an oppurtunity for pictures. One of Aming's friend was quit drunk and making som commotion up stairs, while we were laughing to our guests. It kinda got out of hand when he was punched on his nose and blood was flowing out. But we just let it go, as we were busy with all our guests. When everybody was gone we went home ourselves. And we made an appointment to meet my friends and brothers in a bar. I did not have one drink during the dinner, because I was so busy. We went to Sparks to do some dancing.

The next morning Aming's friends called to appologize for all the commotion caused at our wedding dinner. Others said it was the best wedding dinner ever, as it look way longer than usual. So I think all over it was the perfect day!!! Aming and me are very happy.

Sunday was very easy going, we had hot pot for dinner and had to take Manon and Danielle to the airport. They were heading back already. Linda and Evelien went to Sun Moon Lake by themselves.

On Monday we left with my brothers to Green Island, just of the coast of Taitung. The boat ride is known as a very heavy one. Marloes was not well and Aming had to puke. Luckily I found myself a spot on the deck facing forward. So it was no problem. The history of Green Islands is that prisioners were sent to Green Island. The Island is so small, so even when they escape, they can go nowhere and they can not cause any damage. It is kind of a prisoners island. Nowadays there is still one prison in use. We went to visit it and saw some prisioners doing gardening. We rented a scooter and we drove around the island within an hour. It is so beautifull, great views, great nature. For dinner a BBQ was sceduled, this was in a tipical 'vreetschuur'. The restaurant as basic and ugly as possible, but the food ofcourse very good. The next morning we went snorkeling with Marcel and Marloes. We saw hundreds of fish, one more beautiful than the other. It was amazin to see that just a couple of meters of the coast there was all this in the water. This is definately a recomandation when visiting Green Island. We took a stroll around the center of the island, did some souvenier shopping. Meanwhile Aming joined a fishing trip.

We had dinner in a fishing rastaurant, again good food. That night we went to the famous hot spring on Green Island. There are 3 natural hot springs like this one on the world. So we had to experience it. We first took the warm bath and then changed to the hot bath. Aming and I went in pretty quick, but my brothers and Marloes were taking longer. It was too hot. Daniel sticking his burned feet it. But is was unforgetable with a great view. The hot spring is just beside the big ocean. The next day [Wednesday] we went back to Taipei.

Thursday was the last night for Linda and Evelien. So we decided to go to the Top again. The boys have not been here and we thought it was a really good restaurant. We had BBQ. Earlier that day me and my brothers went to Xinmen Dien to visit a temple. We praid to Budha with essence sticks. Then we had a cup of coffee on the otherside of the street. A cup of fruit tea for Marloes and me. Coffee Yugh!!!! Then we visited a park, to let Renee and An An play for a bit. They are so cute together. Later that afternoon we went to the Taiwan handicraft market, where you can buy all hand made art souveniers. Afterwards Linda, Evelien, Aming and I went to meet some of our local friends for a drink [and food]. One of our friends has to go in to the army, so it was also his goodbye party. After a couple of beers we wanted to go dancing. We got almost everybody with us, some friends of hours and some students of Aming. We wanted to go to Sparks and with some help of Jeremy [Aming's friend] we got free entry. But inside there was really nobody, to another disco! Monzhe also knew another disco around the corner, so we went there, and yes all the people were there. We paid an entry fee and went down. Obviously we were one of the biggest, and trust me sometimes even I felt small compared to Linda and Evelien on high heels! We danced untill late that night. Then one of Aming's students drove us back to Taipei. It was very weird but funny ti be brought home by this student who is just 19 or 20, driving in his mum's car. But it saves us money for the cab, so why not. And they all live in Sanchung, so they have to go there any way.

Friday I took the girls to WuFenPu for some shopping. My brothers an father already went to Sun Moon Lake by train. Aming and I would drive over there after dropping the girls of at the airport. The girls loved WuFenPu, this is basically a shopping market with only clothes. It is very cheap though some stores can be very expensive aswell. The only thing you have to be causious about, is not to get lost. There are so many small streets left an right that you can easily forget where you came in. We all bought something, so it was a nice lst afternoon. Back home all suitcases were packed a last change of clothes and we were of to eat hot pot. Linda and Evelien liked it so much, so the 2 students of Aming who work in that place treated us on a hot pot. After eating we went to another restaurant to just say hello and goodbye to Helen and het husband Raymond from Hong Kong. And we were off to the airport. It is always so double you want to give them a nice last thought of Taiwan but you are also sad because they are leaving. But they have their own lives in Holland and their boyfriends are waiting for them to come back.

We drove on to Sun Moon Lake, stopping on our way to pay some basketball and eat or drink something. Really easy going. Just past midnight we arrived at the hotel. Checked in and went to bed.

The next morning I woke everybody up and Aming's family arrived aswell. We went to the Aboriginal Culture Village, which is a park with rollercoasters but also aboriginal shows. We saw 2 shows, with one they were giving away golden fir-cones. A young boy gave us all one and he said in Chinese; because they can not understand anything. Hahahaha... well because we got a fir-cone we had to go on stage to do a dance. Marloes, Chantal and I went on stage and danced some aboriginal kind of dance. It was fun to do. Unluckily in the afternoon heavy rain came falling down. So we headed back to the hotel. There we had a shower and had dinner in a local restaurant. We got strange dishes as; doves, whole chickens, pigsfeet, shrimps with shell and head to eat and rooster balls. Aming's mother was so happy that she treated us for dinner.

The next day we went for a hike in the morning, to Mao Lan Mountain. We walked for about an hour up and then an hour down again. For lunch this time we had western style Italian pasta. And then we went to Puli to visit a paper factory. We got to learn more about how paper is made. The factory is still really old fashioned and use a lot of hand work to make paper. After the tour, we were able to make our own print on a paper. For a fan we had to calculate 40 minutes [the boys were obviously bored]. So we decided to do a quick fan in 10 min. We made a print on paper with ink and we made a fan. Very easy. After the paper fabric we went to visit the En Ci Pagoda on the mountain next to Sun Moon Lake. This is the highest point from where you can look over the lake. Unfotunately rain started to fall down again. When we arrived at the pagoda we were up in the clouds, so the view was gone, but it was cool to see the pagoda and climb up to ring the big bell inside. Last part of this weekend was another dinner together. Robert tried to find a western restaurant in the neighbourhood, but this was not that easy. So we decided to go and eat dim sum just opposite from our hotel. After dinner, Aming's family went back to Taipei. Goodbyes were said and we were of to bed again.

Monday morning we took the tourboat around the lake. A one hour ride, but very nice as the weather was also very good. After the boat ride we all went back to Taipei. Arriving there the news told us there were 3 typhoons around Taiwan, so it was raining the entire day. Luckily for the family flights were not canceled or delayed. So Tuesday I took my sisters-in-law to WuFenPu for some last day money spending. And in the evening we had to say goodbye again!

It was such a pleasure for Aming and me to show friends and family how we are living here, a part of our live. And Aming hopes we put Taiwan in the spotlight, so you can nly have positibe thoughts about Taiwan. Thank you for all support and wishes for our wedding.

Now we are going to enjoy the time together. And srt out pics and write our thank you notes!

Bye bye xxx Melanie