Tired and hungry with our weary bodies lying across the seats on the bus, we quickly realized that perhaps our adventure was really just beginning. There were two foreigners walking along the road with long hiking sticks. Our bus driver stopped the bus to holler at them in Chinese. They responded by shouting back in English. The bus driver turns around and with a red-stained betel nut grin looks at me to translate. Not knowing Chinese nor where these travelers were going, I told them, “yes, get on the bus!” It had to be better than walking, right?
These Italians had been hiking all day from the aboriginal village where they had been living and were even more confused than us, not knowing at all where they were going. We told them that we were en route back to Hualien, where they decided to go too. When we got off the bus we gave them the card to the hostel, I really cannot say enough good things about Amigos, and went off to get food.
When we arrived back at the hostel, the Italians had already found their way there and were checking in. They went up to room 3B – our bunk room – to unwind before we would all go out. When we followed behind, not but 10 minutes later, we heard singing as we started up the first floor staircase. By the second floor we heard showers. And by the third floor, we realized our new friends were singing in the shower.
From there out it was a good night. We were offered Italian chocolate, we went to eat traditional Taiwanese food, and we made it to a bar with friendly patrons and a live band.
