Howdy, Folks. Sorry for the lack of posts but we’ve been very busy, jet-lagged, suffering from heat exhaustion, and I have plenty of other excuses but I’m sure you’re not interested so let’s get right to it. After flying out of San Francisco on Monday morning at 1 AM, we arrived in Taipei at 6 AM Tuesday morning – flight was 13 hours or so (not sure because I was mostly sleeping, drooling and wallowing in bad movies).
Next stop was Baggage Claim where we found Jake and Scout safe and sound and extremely happy to see us again since this was the longest part of the trip.
We only had a few minutes to spend with them before they had to go to Quarantine (more on that later) so we had an emotional farewell again too soon. We were picked up by the head of HR of Taipei American School (TAS) and driven to our temporary apartment (which we’re still in today). It’s a nice place a few minutes walk from where we’ll eventually be living – home to an American family gone home for the Summer. They have two kids too so it’s perfectly equipped with toys and stuff to keep Griff & Bo happy.
The next day we went to TAS for a tour and meeting with HR. What an impressive place – more like a college campus than a K-12 school.
We have also had a chance to see Jake & Scout in the Quarantine Facility. It’s located in central Taipei in a Veterinary Research Hospital on a University Campus.
The staff is very kind and caring and it was soooo reassuring to see how healthy and happy the dogs were.
The kids have started day camp at the school and they’re having a great time. They come home tired and hungry which is great for getting them to go to bed later Plus we have the daytime to attend to all the details of starting our life anew.
Most importantly for starting that life anew is (drumroll please) a visit to Ikea!
We’re all getting used to the food, the heat, the humidity and the joys of air conditioning. I’ll try to post more often and please let us know any questions you might have through the comments function of our blog.
We love and miss you all…
The Klars Afar 
Very nice blog and pictures! What will you do once the American family comes back to their house?
Hey Tina,
Thanks for enjoying the blog. The family who lives in the apartment we’re currently residing in will be returning in August. We should be safely ensconced in our own place by then and we will certainly post pictures of that as well.
Thanks so much for the updates – you can’t know how much I look forward to them. So glad to see the kids settling in and to know that the dogs are well – they’ll be home soon and then your whole family will be together again. God,I miss you guys. Love you!
We miss you too, Janice. I knew you would be concerned about Jake and Scout so we made sure to include them. Stay tuned…
Hey Jim and Becky, love reading about your adventures, and look forward to more. i feel like i’m reading a good book and can’t wait to turn the next page. Good luck with everything you do out there! I will be living my adventurous side through you! Gangbey! Eric
Thanks, Eric. Stay tuned for more fun…
Ok, here’s my question. How is the language? Is it somewhat Americanized? Curious how you all are adjusting? Wishing you all the best! Thursday night jam nights will never be the same!
Hi Olga, everyone here speaks Mandarin Chinese but also lots of them speak English as well. All the people at the Taipei American School speak English and we turn to them when we need help. I plan to study Mandarin when I get settled…until then I’ll just have to do my best.
Woop!woop!way to go Klars!! Great to see your pics/new life unfolding xxx