Volleyball

EP 13. 《Exchange Diary: Integrating into Local Life》

EP 13. 《Exchange Diary: Integrating into Local Life》

Brno, Czechia

In Czechia, traditional markers like the Moon Festival and National Day became non-existent symbols. I struggled to adjust my internal "jet lag", constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone—joining the ESN student organization, diving into boat and tram parties, and competing in sports. From refereeing football matches to photographing the Tram Party, I slowly carved out a place for myself in Brno. I even joined a local Czech volleyball class and made many local friends. I once believed that language was the only bridge for communication, but in those classrooms where I understood no Czech, I rediscovered the pure joy of simply observing the world.

EP 7. Reunion at the Turning Point of Time: Unlocking the Baltic Mystery

EP 7. Reunion at the Turning Point of Time: Unlocking the Baltic Mystery

Tallinn, Estonia

It began with a simple bowl of pasta and a deep conversation with a German sociology student. Together, we wandered past the Russian Embassy, etched with historical scars, and the desolate ruins used as filming locations for Tenet. Our walk became a classroom for debating war, sovereignty, and the stark contrasts between the German and Taiwanese education systems. Soon, the setting shifted to the beach, where I joined a group of Ukrainian men—living fiercely in the moment—for intense rounds of volleyball and table tennis. In their laughter, I witnessed true resilience and experienced a brand of language learning that no textbook could ever provide. Finally, through a small twist involving a WhatsApp contact, I released the regret that had lingered since Budapest. I realized that the meeting of travelers is like "time inversion": not every encounter is a prelude to a goodbye. Some people are simply waiting for their next predestined reunion.

EP 5. At the Heart of the Baltics: Rediscovering the Simplicity of Life

EP 5. At the Heart of the Baltics: Rediscovering the Simplicity of Life

Riga, Lativa.

Crossing the border into Riga, I found a city that once rivaled Stockholm as a great trading hub, now radiating a secluded, timeless elegance. In a hostel brimming with the pulse of daily life, I swapped melodies with Henry, a BBC photographer. It was here that my identity began to shift—from a guitarist and an athlete to a traveling adventurer, sowing the seeds of my passion for photography. From cooking a 30-TWD bell pepper and chicken pasta to lowering my guard during a game of beach volleyball by the Daugava River, I realized that as the veneer of prosperity fades, a refined sense of "living" becomes even more precious. As the sun dipped into the river, I finally found my own rhythm in the long Nordic nights.