Episode XXX: Hard Goodbye

(18/07/2007)

My adventure with Kaohsiung began eleven months ago, in August 2006. In September I came to Kaohsiung Broadcasting Station to start Foreigner's View on Kaohsiung. This is its thirtieth and final episode. The chapter closes. I would like to express my appreciation and friendship to the people who I spent my time with during that period. You are all important to me.

Let's start with Britta Jurgens, Chiara Gomiselli, Nasima Khusnutdinova and Satoko Murao. Those four girls and myself have been members of the same project. We all arrived to Taiwan more or less simultaneously, representing Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan and Poland. It was a true pleasure to me to meet you and have a chance to cooperate with you, as well as spend some spare time.

We used to discover secrets of Taiwan together by traveling, meeting people, going out and partying. Each of us is pretty different but we found ways to get along fairly well. Thank you for your patience, outstanding sense of humour and a good will.

Our trips to Kenting, Fo Guang Shan and Hong Kong were fantastic and the memories of it will stay with me for years. Days spent together have got a great value to me. I have learnt a lot about the others but also about myself. Taiwan did connect us. Taiwan will see us apart.

Great words of appreciation have to go to Rita Su, who did a tremendous job by making splendid efforts to keep all five of us organized, safe and happy. Her help is priceless and I will never be able to return all the favors. The project is you, Rita!

No mistake. The place to be for me was KBS – the radio station. I could easily list everybody who works there but I want to focus on a couple of people. First of all Jennifer Tzeng. A person who gave me lots of confidence and was showing me her understanding. I could not think of a better superior than you!

Amber, Ge-Shien and Linly. You are the women who know what does hospitality and care mean. Being in your company I always felt special, important and lucky. You genuinely made me feel like home. Without you I could not be happy in Kaohsiung. All the help and advices given, all the questions you had to answer, all that I will never forget and never underestimate. It was my honor to share a working place with you.

Another person without whom I could not imagine my life in Taiwan is Marshall Chen. We are almost of an equal age and share a true passion for cinema. I am not able to recall how many films we have seen and discussed. Besides having a good time together, Marshall was always there for me if I needed help or any kind of assistance. You are a firm friend Marshall!

All of you comrades made my stay in Taiwan wonderful and unforgettable. You were my family here and you always will. If I think of Kaohsiung I think about you. No doubt.

Now is the moment to say goodbye to the people who listened or read my writing. Thank you for your time and attention. It was brilliant to do something like that. I will be missing it. Cheers!