Arrival

Dear passengers, in a few minutes we will be landing at Taiwan Taoyuan airport. Keep your seat belts fastened and raise the back of your seat to the upright position. Turn off your electronic devices until  the plane stops completely. It's 18.45 local time. Weather is sunny and clear and temperature is 31 degrees. Thank you very much for flying with us and have a pleasant stay in Taiwan.

This is more or less what the captain is saying, but I'm not listening. In my mind, I'm already one step ahead, thinking of what will happen when we get off the plain. By we I include Salim and Toyin.

A group of welcoming volunteers receive us at the airport. They've been there for the whole day, but still have a smile for us. And lots of patience.  Great job, I have to say. They deserve all our love.

Alice, Alice, where is Alice? Is the first thing we ask. Our priority is meeting her. She's with some other candidates, very busy, but still give us five minutes for a quick chat. Great Alice. You're the centerpiece of this adventure. Without you, I wouldn't be here.
Neither the other 249 participants.

The organization is brilliant. They take good care of us, attend all our demandings without complaining and make us feel welcomed. Thank for the patience and the enthusiasm.

We do the papers and receive instructions and a mobile phone. I start meeting other participants. Most common questions, the existentialist ones brought to a more material level.

Where do you come from?

Where are you going?

I meet Cindy. From Ecuador. To Pintung county, same as me. Exchange phone numbers and information.

Volunteers lead us to the train. Pictures and more pictures. We all wanna capture the magic moment, make it last forever. We are exhausted, but our levels of adrenaline are still high.

Next step: meet host family.
Scheduled time: in the next two hours.