I had my first feeling of being unsafe in this city. I was walking to school in the daylight by myself. I just missed the light and was waiting for the traffic when a guy rolled up on a pink and white moped (doesn't exactly scream "Danger, danger Will Robinson"). He asked me for the time which I actually knew for once. He then started to ask me all these questions about myself which caused me to put up a wall (another story). He left after I said I did not have a cell phone and I thought that was that. I then noticed that he moved to the street and was looking at me. I felt him following me around the circle which started to freaked me out. I couldn't call anyone since I said I didn't have a phone (stupid I know). I started to panic when I crossed the street to go to school and he stopped in the middle of the road and turned around. He sped up and parked on the other side of the street and waited for me. I was almost to school when he came from behind and grabbed my shoulder to talk to me. I kept moving and finally was about to get in the gate when he stopped me again. I just said no (I had no idea what he was saying) and just ran into the school and got in the first elevator available. I practically ran to the office and luckily KN was there. I ended up locking the door after a while since I couldn't stop shaking. I actually feel sick to my stomach and am thankful that I wasn't heading home. I hope he went away and is still not there when we leave.
I know that this may sound harmless like I freaked out over nothing. Just had to be there I guess.
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This HAS actually happened to me in Taipei too. It's not a safe feeling especially when the rest of the city seems so blatantly harmless. You have every right and reason to be upset when someone violates your personal space. Being stalked (even on pink scooters) is no laughing matter. Just a reminder to remember that the Taiwanese really haven't learned how to relate to the opposite sex because of the way they're raised. Culturally, they're taught that unless they're relentless in their pursuit they're not being sincere. Its hard to put it in perspective when your heart is pounding in your ears...
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